Tuesday, October 4, 2011

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!

14 comments:

Andrea said...

Ooh, ramen pad thai sounds like a winner!
The use of raw noodles in the slaw reminds me of junior high days, where some classmates ate uncooked maruchan soup, ha.

Erinwiko said...

Awesome! I can't wait to see a vegan ramen pizza.

Anonymous said...

Don't think I've had Ramen since college, may be time to boil up a bag again.

Allysia said...

Well that's a pretty fantastic book concept. I hope it turns out to be a gooder, and then I might put it on my cookbook dream list. Not that it isn't extensive enough already...

Sheridan said...

Hooray for Ramen!!! You are totally making me crave some of your Mama's ramen slaw right now, although your pic of the ramen slaw from the book does look mighty tasty!

omgoshimvegan said...

I'm with you a good bowl of ramen any day and I'm set. I'm wishing I had some at work on this cold rainy day even if it is only 8:30 in the morning.

vegan.in.brighton said...

A ramen cookbook sounds pretty awesome!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE ramen slaws/salads! Mmmmmm My mom makes a good one too!

Chef Amber Shea said...

Oh man. I ate ramen almost every day of my life - at least once every day, and sometimes more - until I was 19. Now I haven't them in YEARS! You're giving me a killer ramen craving right now.

Leslie Richman said...

Wow! I'd love to see Ramen-Mallow Crispy Treats!

jessy said...

so awesome, Bianca! i haven't had ramen since go'n gluten-free, but dan loooooves him some ramen! i might just have to pick this book up for him. i think he'd really enjoy it! the asian cabbage slaw looks great and i too am looking forward to the ramen pizza!

Scissors and Spice said...

Ramen Pad Thai! Now that is awesome!

I had this salad before that involved fried ramen noodles. My SIL made it and it was so good. I need to try to find a recipe for it.

Monique a.k.a. Mo said...

Now, you are speaking my language. Ramen is the best college food of all time. ALL TIME!

and_i_say said...

I saw a Sriracha cookbook the other day and thought of you! I didn't look through the table of contents, because I was on my way out of the bookstore.

http://www.amazon.com/Sriracha-Cookbook-Rooster-Sauce-Recipes/dp/1607740036/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318090592&sr=1-1