good eats

if you've ever sat through an episode of 30 minute meals - chances are you've seen at least part of good eats. its this super cheesy cooking show that airs weeknights after rachael ray. alton brown is the star and each episode focuses on one type of food or method and always includes a way beyond lame subplot featuring cranky neighbors, the mafia, foreign spies, stuffed animals or all of the above. the thing is - its the most informative food show on TV. and i love it. period.

so i was watching good eats last night and the episode was all about honey - which reminded me i was out and needed a new container. the weather has kept me away from farmers market for months so i decided i most definitely needed to make my way over there today for a new jar of marshall's farm. rad.

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the other thing i remembered while watching good eats was that i had promised some of you i'd post this fabulous ramen recipe that i learned during the episode on pouch cooking. i mean - lets be honest here - ramen is rad. yes its fried and yes its not good for you - but its so yummy. i've made this twice now and what i love about it (besides being an ultimate comfort food) is that its made almost entirely of things i've got on hand and the clean up is nonexistent! my slightly altered version is below. original is on the link. the amounts below are for one serving - you can double, quadruple or whatever - you might have to increase the cooking time. just take a peek and its done when the shrimp is done. don't worry about overcooking... last time i made it i think i overcooked by almost a full 10 minutes and it still turned out fine.

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RAMEN SHRIMP POUCH

1 package Ramen noodles
1 handful snap peas (about 10), washed and trimmed
5 medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (i just defrost frozen ones from TJ's)
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
2 tbsp sliced scallions
dash red pepper flakes
dash kosher salt
1 cup vegetable broth
2 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place ramen in the center of 2 pieces of aluminum foil stacked perpendicular (you can use one piece of aluminum if it is wide enough). Pull sides and corners of pouch up to form a small basket shape leaving an opening at the top. Stack the following ingredients on top of noodles, in this order: shrimp, snap peas, onions, scallions, red pepper flakes, and salt.

In small bowl, combine vegetable broth, mirin, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Pour liquid into the basket. Press foil together, leaving a small opening to allow steam to escape. Place on cookie sheet and bake in oven for 15-20 minutes. Serve immediately.

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i typed all of the above, saved a spot for a picture of the honey stand, wandered over the ferry building and the honey stand wasn't there! sigh. so i settled for slivered almonds, beets and an artichoke - all definitely good eats.