Instant noodles (??!)

Everyone has a lazy day once in a while, when grocery shopping just isn't the most appealing thing to do, or it's raining cats and dogs... or you just don't feel like cooking. Those, for me, are instant noodle days... But why settle for plain instant noodles? Here's a little tip: Keep some frozen dumplings in the freezer, texturized soy protein, instant noodles and dried seaweed in strips in the cupboard, and while your at it, next time you get fresh coriander, freeze a little of that, too. And hey presto, all of a sudden, you don't have to feel too bad about eating a completely unhealthy meal anymore!

Difficulty level: Too easy!

1 pack favourite instant noodles. (I've got kimchi instant noodles)
1 handful texturised soy protein strips
4 frozen dumplings (I used mushroom dumplings)
1 tablespoon chopped frozen coriander (fresh, if you happen to have it lying around!
1 tablespoon seaweed flakes or a handful of dried seaweed
1 teaspoon soysauce

1. Open your instant noodle package from only one end, and empty your instant noodles and condiments into a pot. Use the empty package to measure one full pack of water into the pot, and you'll have the right amount of water.

2. Bring to a boil and then toss in the rest of the ingredients.

3. Decrease heat by about half and let it boil for another 2-3 minutes.

Hooray, it's done!

Optional extras: Add a squeeze of lime and a bit of spring onion.

About the ingredients:

Frozen dumplings:  Visit your Asian grocery's frozen foods section, and most have an extensive collection of frozen dumplings.  Check the ingredients, cos even if they claim to be 'vegetable dumplings', many will contain pork!

Instant noodles:  There's NOTHING healthy in instant noodles, but sometimes we're just lazy.  Some at least make the effort to contain some dehydrated veggies, which is better than nothing, but certainly doesn't go very far in terms of adding to the health factor.  I'd recommend finding instant noodles at an Asian grocery, and not at a regular supermarket, because usually the selection is far better at the former, and the flavours are more 'authentic'.  Western instant noodles, sorry to say, often taste like plain boiled pasta.

Seaweed:  Great for iodine and also contains iron.  Available at any Asian grocer and health food stores.

p.s.  Here's a dirty secret of mine:  I love instant noodles so much, I have to keep them in a box behind all the healthier stuff, so they are out of sight, out of mind... and if they do pop into my mind, the healthy stuff blocking the way guilt-trips me first, so I might reconsider. :)