Tuesday, 9 September 2025

Tuesday, a pop of colour and ramen

Morning, everyone.
Oddly, I have been feeling a bit down recently.  Nothing personal; I think it is stuff that's happened to people I love and just the general state of life, the universe and everything.  Perhaps that's why I'm not sleeping that well - who knows?

Anyway, it's not like me so I'm going to focus on positivity for a few days.  I started with some Autumnal colour.



I finished the latest mini granny lap blanket, which I am keeping this time rather than donating and I sorted out the garden room for Autumn.  It looks very cheerful now with the reds, golds, browns and oranges giving a real pop of colour. 
I am not one for much decorating apart from Christmas but I do like this cheeriness and am thinking I might pop into the cheapo shops and get a few more things.

I have loads of Autumnal coloured yarn so I've switched temporarily from granny squares to pumpkins!  After all, can you have too many pumpkins at this time of year?  
I crocheted one (they're not difficult and don't take that much time) and went to get my polyester wadding, only to remember I gave it to Beth.  So Amazon to the rescue!  A bit more expensive than Temu but probably better quality and certainly quicker delivery!
In the meanwhile, I will make a few more.

Today is Groove and Chris is coming too - I have missed our walks - and then I have bread to make.  The leaven isn't quite ready after doing its thing overnight but I might be able to mix up the dough before I leave for Groove and finish the loaves today.  We will see.

Chris asked a question about ramen.

This is how my first ever attempt ended up.
I made the stock from some chicken stock and some white miso paste with a shake of soy sauce - I do like the extra flavour the miso added.
I cooked the noodles separately.  There is such a thing as ramen noodles - I used what I had which was bog standard ones.  Noodles are not a thing I have looked too closely at.  
I gather that the noodles and the stock are the actual ramen and the rest is like 'toppings' - very fancy toppings - but they are not optional.
I boiled the egg at the same time as cooking the noodles, in the same pan, I mean.
The other stuff is four baby corns from the garden, some cooked edamame beans (DON'T cook them in the microwave; mine went hard like bullets), thinly sliced pork, yellow pepper and red onion, some ribboned carrot, a tomato and some spinach.  This was all stuff I had in and I softened some of these in the noodle water.
I gather you can add almost anything you fancy so leftovers are definitely to be used.  Chicken, salmon, prawns . . .
I didn't eat the chilli, it's just there for colour really.
Please be nice - first times are always feeling the way times.  And it was lovely - tasty and filling.
Any advice would be gratefully received.

I got loads of washing, line drying and ironing done so this morning's first task is to put everything away.  So - better get moving!
Bye.  xx


18 comments:

  1. My daughter makes ramen frequently as they enjoy a bowl of warming food made quickly after work in the cooler weather. She will have lots of toppings already made and it’s a speedy meal for two people who eat later than we do. In think yours looks very healthy with lots of good protein to fill you up. Catriona

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    1. Thank you. It was really nice and I do like an adaptable recipe. xx

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  2. The Ramen looks so tasty and makes me want to dive in straight away! Healthy too! xx

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    1. It was healthy. I think you should soften some of the toppings in sesame oil - I didn't this time. x

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  3. Your ramen looks delicious. My eldest son and his partner often make ramen as quick and nourishing and great for using up leftovers as you say. He uses the udon noodles which are thicker but I prefer a medium noodle. Nice to try something different. Hope your "down" mood lifts. Regards Sue H

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    1. Thank you. I was pleased with how it worked out and it is definitely on the menu again fairly soon. I have ordinary noodles so that's what I will use. I also have vermicelli which wouldn't need cooking, just steeping in the boiling stock. x

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  4. It's good to try something different and your ramen dish looks perfect.
    It's not surprising that people feel a little depressed - the world is not a cheery place at present. It's a bright sunny day today, so that will help.

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    1. Yes, it is, and I'm just back from Groove which was lovely. I enjoyed the walk too. x

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  5. I'm sure lots of us are with you on the slightly low mood thing Joy, thinking of you. Your autumnal pops of colour are gorgeous. Also, the Ramen, looks perfect.
    Alison in Devon x

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    1. There's so many upsetting, unsettling and simply anger creating stuff going on right now. Somehow, we have to find a way to fight back and positivity, however you see it, seems to be something we CAN do in our own, small way.

      And thank you. I'll have another go at it soon. xx

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  6. The ramen bowl looks just perfect, anyone who criticises is not welcome in blogland in my opinion. There is far too much negativity in the world at the moment. I am avoiding the news as much as I can.

    I bet you can find some more decorative oranges and browns around your home if you really try. :-)

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    1. LOL - definitely!! It just drags people down and serves no good purpose.
      I don't watch the news either. I think I prefer to remain ignorant. I never thought I'd say that!
      And yes, I am sure too. :-) xx

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  7. Your dish looks delicious - so colourful! I will definitely try something similar as I have seen packets of ramen noodles in the shops. I like the idea of lots of vegetables and shrimp or scallops on the side.

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    1. Yes, that would be delicious. I'm using up my own noodles first and then I will take a look too. I'm sure they are easily available.
      Good luck! xx

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  8. Harvey just loves ramen so I try to make it once in awhile. Yours looks amazing.

    God bless.

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    1. Thank you. It's very new to me but really nice. xx

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  9. Your garden room is looking lovely in it's Autumn colours. Your ramen dish looks very colourful too.

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