DEAR READERS, The first thing you need to know in order to cook Ramen (or any Japanese Style Dish) is this.. FOOD IS ZEN! and in order to make the perfect Ramen you must give it every part of yourself.. all your attention.. you must become the Ramen…
in Japan Ramen is taken rather seriously. most authentic Ramen houses have OLD FAMILY RECIPES
which are kept very secret. the only person who can know the recipe is the cook. there is usually one cook, and he works the entire day. unfortunately most authentic Ramen Recipes have meat in them.. :(
but who's to say that a good Ramen has to have meat in it..
Well lucky for you I have made a perfect recipe, that is easy to make, and meat free.. and what says ZEN better than GINGER HERB?
so here you go folks… enjoy!
INGREDIENTS.
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KONBU-( DRIED KELP )
water
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh ginger minced
2 cups-vital wheat gluten
2 tbsp ginger spice
2 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp onion powder
2 tbsp mirin
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp fennel
2 tbsp lemon zest
2 tbsp gumbo file
2 tbsp dried chipotle
2 tbsp black pepper
2 tbsp rosemary
2 green onions
&
a handfull of SOMEN or CHOW MEIN or RICE NOODLES
GINGER WHEAT MEAT:
*first mix one tbsp of each of the herbs with the vital wheat gluten.
*mix the water, mirin, soy sauce
*add the liquid mixture and the dry mixture while stirring with your fingers
*now knead the mixture with your hands until it becomes like a sponge, and the liquid is completely
soaked up.
*now pick off small pieces and place into a large pot(TIP- pieces should be about the size of a cherry)
*fill the pot with about 8 cups of water and 1tbsp of
all the herbs on the list, 1/8 cup- minced ginger and some kind of seasoning sauce of your choice. (if you like sweet, use a sweet sauce, if you like hot, use hot sauce)
*Bring to a boil and immediately reduce to a simmer, cover and let simmer for about an hour.
*strain and set the broth aside, cover the seitan and set aside.
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*first take a full strip of KONBU and 1/8 cup minced ginger and let sit in 8 cups of water for 30 min.
*then bring water to a low boil for about 10 min
* remove Konbu and add the broth from the WHEAT MEAT
*let boil for another 5 min
FINAL STEPS
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*boil 8 cups of water and add the noodles of your choice.
*pour broth into a bowl, add some noodles, and put the wheat meat on top
*you could also add some steamed vegetable if you want.
**remember to slurp your noodles, and enjoy..
