Serious Vegetarian Ramen at Home

Why pay for boring take-out when you could make your own, way better, version at home!?

Ingredients

  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 Tbsp. white sesame seeds
  • 1½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt
  • 4 scallions
  • (1) 2" piece ginger, peeled, thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 8 dried shiitake mushrooms
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4 baby bok choy (about 12 oz. total), quartered lengthwise
  • (4) 5-oz. packages fresh ramen noodles
  • Toasted nori sheets, and/or cilantro (for serving; optional)

Shopping List

  • 1 Garlic
  • 1 Jar White Sesame Seeds
  • 1 Bunch Scallions
  • 1 Hand Ginger
  • 1 Can Tomato Paste
  • 1 Pack Dried Shitake Mushrooms
  • 1 Bottle Low-sodium Soy Sauce
  • 4 Baby Bok Choy
  • 4 5-oz. Packages Fresh Ramen Noodles
  • 1 Pack Toasted Nori Sheets
  • 1 Bunch Cilantro
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Pantry List

  • Vegetable oil
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt
  • Unsalted butter
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Instructions

  • Cook garlic and ¼ cup oil in a medium pot over medium heat, stirring often, until garlic is beginning to turn golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in sesame seeds and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden brown and crisp, about 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a small bowl and stir in red pepper flakes; season with salt. Set garlic oil aside. Wipe out pot and set aside.
  • Trim dark green parts from scallions and thinly slice; set aside for serving. Coarsely chop white and pale green parts. Heat remaining 2 Tbsp oil in reserved pot over medium-high. Cook chopped scallions and ginger, stirring often, until scallions are charred in spots, about 4 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to stick to the bottom of pot and darkens slightly, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, then stir in 5 cups cold water. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit until mushrooms soften, about 10 minutes.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer solids to a blender. Add a ladleful or 2 of broth to blender and purée until smooth. Stir purée back into broth in pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add butter a piece at a time, whisking to combine after each addition before adding more. Stir in soy sauce; season with salt. Reduce heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add bok choy and cook until bright green and tender, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bok choy to a plate. Return water to a boil and cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and divide among bowls.
  • To serve, ladle broth over noodles, then top with bok choy and reserved garlic oil. Top with nori, and cilantro if desired.

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