By: Danielle DenenbergStaff Writer
You don’t have to give up your favorite foods in order to have something filling as well as satisfying. Being a typical college student, I tend to have ramen noodles around, but this weekend, I decided I wanted to try something a little different with this usual meal. So, I compiled some fruit and a few other healthy items, and combined them with the noodles to make a delicious, creative salad that I will definitely make again. I even served some to a few friends and family members at a dinner a few nights ago, and it was a hit.
Start by setting your stove on medium high. Then, brown the ramen noodles in a little olive oil until they are lightly toasted. This process gives the noodles a little flavor. After browning the noodles, it is time to add the bagged salad. Cooking for one? Just add half the bag. However, if you want to plan for leftovers, you can add the whole bag.
Next, add walnuts for extra crunch and flavor. If you do not like walnuts, some other suggestions are almonds, sunflower seeds, or pecans. Then, it is time to add craisins to give the salad a bit of sweetness.
The apples and mandarin oranges come next. I used one apple and a whole can of oranges, but as mentioned, this can be modified to suit your taste. I like a salad with interesting toppings, so I added crunchy tortilla salad topping to the mix.
When you are done adding everything, it is time to add the dressing. Raspberry vinaigrette tastes the best with this combination. When you have added everything, toss it all together, and enjoy warm or refrigerated!
This salad can be made large enough to share portions with all of your friends. Best of all, the majority of the items (all except the bagged salad) are non-perishable, which saves you space in your refrigerator. The salad can be eaten as a side or a main dish. For those who choose to eat the salad as a side dish, I find that it is compatible with some chicken or cold cuts to accompany it. Or, if you wanted, you could add some sliced grilled chicken straight into the salad, warm or cold.
Ingredients
• A splash of olive oil
• 1 bag of spring mix (you can also use bagged spinach, mescaline lettuce or one of your choosing)
• 1pckg. Ramen noodles
• 1 apple, cut into small pieces
• ½ cup ground walnuts (or alternative of your choice)
• 1 small can mandarin oranges
• 1 handful of craisins
• 1 handful of salad topping, such as crunchy tortilla salad topping
• 2 tablespoons. Raspberry vinaigrette dressing