Japanese: Miso Ramen

Recipe by Paul Young <info@cooking-with-paul.com>

(serves 2)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork tenderloin (pre-marinated or coat with a dry rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder)
• 2 servings of ramen noodles (fresh, frozen, or dry)
• 2 soft-boiled eggs
• 4 ounces fresh spinach leaves
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 stalks green onions, chopped (white and green parts separated)
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups water (approximate)
• 2 tablespoons rice wine
• 2 tablespoon white miso paste
• 4 tablespoons ginger paste
• 1 tablespoon chicken base
• 1 teaspoon vegetable base
• 5 oz enoki mushrooms (aka seafood mushrooms)
• 6 oz cut corn (fresh or frozen)
• 6 oz bean sprouts
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (approx)
• Toasted sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
• Toasted nori for garnish (optional)
• Rooster sauce (a.k.a Sriracha) (optional)

Procedure:

1. Cook pork tenderloin per instructions from package (usually baked in 375° oven about 30 min per pound or until center reaches 160°); let rest 10 min before cutting desired amount into thin slices, set aside (sliced pork can be frozen for future meals)
2. Boil ramen noodles per instructions (use about 3 oz of dry ramen noodles per serving); rinse in cold water, then let sit in iced water until ready to serve
3. Bring water to boil for soft boiled eggs, add eggs and simmer for 6 minutes; rinse in cold water, peel, cut in half, set aside
4. Steam spinach until wilted (about 2 minutes); or microwave for 1 minute in a loosely covered bowl; set aside
5. Add olive oil to large soup pot for the broth
6. Saute white parts of green onions with garlic until wilted
7. Add water, rice wine; bring to boil
8. Stir in miso paste, ginger paste, chicken base, vegetable base, mushrooms, corn; bring back to boil, then simmer for 10 minutes
9. Add bean sprouts and sesame oil
10. Adjust seasoning: add soy sauce to increase saltiness (if needed), add water to decrease saltiness
11. Warm noodles in microwave for 1 minute (or dip in boiling water, then drain)
12. To serve: add warmed noodles to serving bowl first, then ladle broth on top of the noodles; top the soup with eggs, slices of pork, a clump of spinach; garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and/or nori (if desired)
13. Serve with spicy rooster sauce (if desired)

Aldi carries pre-marinated pork tenderloin in many flavors including Teriyaki