大象传媒

In her new book ‘Solo: The Joy of Cooking for One’, cook and food writer, Signe Johansen shows how cooking for yourself can be one of life’s simplest and most therapeutic pleasures.

Late-night miso ramen

Rather than diving into a packet of crisps, instant or quick-cook ramen is ideal when you’ve been out late and fancy a bite to eat before bedtime.

150g packet miso ramen noodles (or plain noodles)
handful of frozen peas, or any vegetables you have lurking in the fridge (carrots, sugar snap peas, corn, bean sprouts, finely shredded cabbage, courgette, etc.)
1 egg
1 tbs predor brown miso paste (if using plain noodles)
1 fresh green chilli, sliced 1 spring onion, sliced and placed in a bowl of iced water for a few minutes
A generous pinch of black or white sesame seeds
toasted sesame oil, to taste
Japanese dried nori seaweed, to serve (optional)

Cook the ramen noodles according to the packet instructions, adding the frozen peas (or whichever veg you opt for) to the pan so they cook at the same time. Cook the egg by poaching it in the broth (whisk it in a bowl first then pour it into the broth or crack it in), boiling it whole in a separate pan, or giving it a quick fry.

Add the miso paste to the noodle cooking liquid (if cooking plain noodles) and stir through. Remove from the heat and garnish with the chilli, drained spring onion, sesame seeds, sesame oil and any other toppings you like. The egg goes on last if you cooked it separately, along with the seaweed (if using).

Variations: You can really play around with this recipe, adding all manner of ingredients. These work particularly well – assorted pickles, citrus, herbs, mushrooms, kimchi, sriracha sauce, coconut milk or cream, peanut butter and Korean gochujang paste.

Leftovers: Add leftover roast meat such as chicken, shellfish such as prawns, or tofu (adding the crispy tofu from 65 really ramps up this dish).