Simple Miso Ramen - by Stacey

This miso ramen recipe is a quick simple one you can do at home its very versatile in the toppings you can use i'll give some more ideas at the end. 

Miso Ramen

Ingredients;
1~2 tbls miso - I use a light one or white miso
1 tbls soy sauce
1 pkt dried dashi powder - if you don't have use chicken or vegetable stock powder.
3 dried shitake mushrooms - can leave this step out
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp sesame seeds 
1 pkt ramen noodles any kind per person
1 &1/2 cups of water per serving
choice of toppings

1. Soak the dried shitake mushrooms in the water for a couple of hours - you don't have to do this step I just feel it gives the stock a beautiful depth of flavour. You should be able to get these at all supermarkets now and they last in the cupboard for ever its a lovely addition to any Asian stock and stir fry.

2. Discard the mushrooms (or use later in the topping) and heat water add stock powder and miso paste- with the miso don't just chuck it in - you'll need to work it to dissolve it. I put my paste in a soup ladle and start mixing it with a spoon and a bit of the pot water at a time until it is all dissolved. 

3 . Add soy sauce and ramen noodles cook as per the packet instructions you can use dried noodles any type really udon noodles are also very good with this soup. 
4. To serve ~ add noodles to the bowl and soup then drizzle with the sesame oil and seeds. Top as desired (usually with what I can scrounge up)  and slurp slurp slurp the noisier the better. 

Miso Ramen topped with soft boiled egg, bamboo shoots, corn, braised pork 

Topping ideas;
Boiled Egg
Corn
Bamboo shoots
Spring onion
Bean Sprouts
Braised Pork - recipe here
Stir Fry - any quick or left over stir fry 
Spinach
Slice of roast or braised pork or beef
Dried seaweed