Unbothered Noodles

In all honesty, more often than not I can’t be bothered.

No seriously. It’s true.

Can’t be bothered with what to do, where to go, what to watch and this sometimes translates into the kitchen as well.

What makes it worse is when you go through a bit of a slump during the day and you have mouths to feed – certain responsibilities cannot be brushed off.

Sure, a quick pizza or fast food works, but when you’re trying to get the squad healthy, what is the solution then?

I’ve had to balance it all this week, and with increased demands in different areas of my life, I was bound to crack at some point.
I didn’t have a complete meltdown, thankfully.

I took the time to reset and plan my life a bit better, but still, there was stuff I needed to do, and no one was standing around to do it for me.

Finding the time to prepare delicious and nutritious meals can be a challenge.

As a food writer, I understand the struggle of balancing work, family and other responsibilities, while still wanting to enjoy good food.

One of the keys to creating meals that are both delicious and convenient is to focus on using easy-to-find ingredients, and I know by now you know I am the champion of quick, fast and delicious food, or at least I try to be.

When you have staples like rice, pasta, beans, canned tomatoes and frozen vegetables, which are quite common in most Namibian homes, you already have the building blocks of a good meal.

We have in the past talked about using leftovers to make entirely new meals with a different flavour profile – turning leftover chicken into a chicken mayo sandwich, rice into a stir fry and so on.

The options are endless, it’s just your imagination that can limit you, which is why you have me to help you stretch that imagination.

The cold season we find ourselves in always has me seeking food that warms me up and leaves me feeling positive.

However, I have noted in the past that I have an over-reliance on carbs, which not only leaves me with a winter bod but tends to make me feel less enthusiastic about doing anything. The couch becomes more inviting after a meal.

So, in a busy world where time is precious, convenience is key.

Meal prep can be a lifesaver for busy individuals and families.

Spending a few hours over the weekend chopping vegetables, cooking grains and preparing proteins can save you time during the week and make it easier to throw together a quick and healthy meal on a busy night.

Investing in kitchen tools like a slow cooker or an air fryer can also help things go smoother.

Enough chatting.

Let’s get to the fun part – a delicious and convenient recipe that focuses on quick, affordable and convenient cooking.

Below is a recipe for a satisfying and flavourful noodle bowl that makes use of simple ingredients and leftovers.

My secret weapon will always be instant noodles.

I have no idea the number of recipes I have conjured up with these packs of quick deliciousness.

Perhaps I should write a whole book on just instant noodle recipes?

Winter instant noodles with boiled egg, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, green onions and leftover pork shoulder
Ingredients:
• two packs of instant noodles
• one boiled egg, halved
• one cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup roughly shredded mozzarella cheese
• two green onions, thinly sliced
• one cup leftover pork shoulder, shredded
• four cups water
• soy sauce, to taste
• sesame oil, for drizzling
• red chilli flakes, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a medium pot, bring four cups of water to a boil. Add the instant noodles and cook according to the package instructions.
2. Once the noodles are cooked, divide them into two bowls.
3. Top the noodles with the boiled egg halves, sliced mushrooms, shredded mozzarella cheese, green onions and leftover pork shoulder.
4. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil, to taste.
5. Garnish with red chilli flakes for a bit of heat.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!