Ramen to the Rescue!

I rarely review cookbooks that aren't vegan, but sometimes a cookbook's theme is so awesome that I just can't turn down a free copy in exchange for a review. I always warn the publisher that I'm vegan, so I can't review all of the recipes, but if they don't mind me subbing out vegan ingredients, I don't mind giving it a shot.

Y'all know how I love ramen noodles, right? Well, even though Ramen to the Rescue isn't vegan, it seems like the perfect book for me. Every single recipe in this book contains ramen, and there's even a "Meatless Meals" section. The meatless chapter isn't totally vegan, but it's easy to substitute out soymilk and Daiya for dairy milk or cheese. Most recipes in other areas of the book are also easy to veganize, and there are accidentally vegan recipes peppered throughout the book.

I wanted to start with something crazy, like Ramen-Mallow Crispy Treats or Zucchini Boats with Ramen and Mushrooms. But I needed a quick side dish on Monday night, so I opted instead for the Asian Cabbage Slaw:

My mom makes the BEST ramen slaw in the world, and though nothing can touch hers, this one was pretty tasty and way more low in fat than my mom's. There's only a 1/2 teaspoon of oil in this recipe, but there's about a stick of vegan butter in my mom's!

This slaw also contains naba cabbage, snow peas, sliced almonds, cilantro, sesame seeds, and scallions mixed with a dressing of mustard, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. You're supposed to throw out the flavor packet (as is required in many recipes in this book), but I sprinkled a little of the packet into the slaw because I figured it could only enhance the taste. Most importantly, the slaw is topped with crunchy, raw ramen noodles. They soften a little in the dressing, but they maintain a nice crunch.

I'll be making more from this book throughout the month, and I'll share my thoughts here. Don't be surprised if you see Ramen Pizza, Blueberry Peach Crisp with Ramen-Oatmeal Topping, Ramen Pad Thai, or Spicy Peanut Noodle Wraps. All those recipes are in the book!