Like most everyone, the pandemic changed a lot (wait, all?) of our daily habits. Daily routines and shopping habits were the first to get a giant overhaul. It is now impossible for me to go to Costco and not come home with that massive carton of eggs. I get there, make my way over to the dairy section and think, “yeah, we probably need five dozen eggs” like it’s NORMAL. Its not normal (right?) I can’t stand the fear of running out of eggs so I always get them. But hey, at least I’ve had complete freedom to make the occasional angle food cake or chocolate pudding without worrying that I’m depleting our egg supply. #blessed. 

Another habit that I’m grateful for is our weekly bowl of ramen. I love that this has one sneaked into our lives. I can’t tell you how comforting it is to tuck into this bowl of soup. Noodles, yummy broth infused with lime and miso, enough veggies to make it feel nutritious and a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg. We’ll make it for lunch fairly regularly (we’re both home for lunch. Every day, all the time.) and it really makes a mundane Monday feel quite luxurious. If you don’t have the time this is a perfect quick weeknight dinner. 

This is a great use-what-you-have dish. Over the last few months we’ve had lots of different iterations: shedded carrots and frozen peas with barley miso paste, tofu and bok choy with Chinese five spice and rice vinegar, shredded carrots and mushrooms with miso (our current fave). Top it with scallions, cilantro, jalapeños or shallots and an egg and you’ve got happiness in a bowl. 

Let’s talk about the eggs. There are many different methods for getting the perfect soft boiled egg but this one has worked the most consistently for me. Cooking the egg for 9 minutes in already boiled water results in a soft set white and a creamy, velvety yolk. The amount of water and number eggs will change the cooking time ever so slightly so if you are cooking more that four eggs use a bigger pot and more water so that the water temperature doesn’t drop too much, thus cooking the eggs more slowly. 

When choosing your own ramen adventure I do recommend that you use carrot. It adds a really nice sweetness to the broth that works well with miso. So give this one a try and put your own spin on it. We can all use a little (or a lot) of ramen in our lives.