In the current climate, where the cost of living seems to be on an ever-upward trajectory, finding ways to stretch the household budget without sacrificing flavor or quality has become a culinary challenge for many. Dining out at your favourite noodle house may no longer be a weekly ritual, but that doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to delectable dishes. What if we told you that you could elevate a humble packet of two-minute noodles into a sumptuous, restaurant-worthy meal with just a few extra ingredients?

At the Seniors Discount Club, we understand the importance of making every penny count, and we're always on the lookout for savvy solutions that don't compromise on taste. That's why we're excited to share a genius hack from Wholesome Bowl that allows Aussies to create quality meals starting at just $3.00 per serving. With a packet of instant noodles and a sprinkle of culinary creativity, you can whip up a feast that will impress even the most discerning palates.

Due to the cost of living crisis, eating out is less attainable, but Wholesome Bowl offered a solution by turning instant noodles into quality meals. Credit: Shutterstock

Michael Trip, Executive Chef for Wholesome Bowl, has crafted two recipes that artfully combine the right ingredients to transform simple instant noodles into dishes that could rival those of a high-end restaurant. Here are two ways you can totally transform your everyday two-minute noodles into delicious dinner alternatives.

Truffle Beef Ramen Recipe
Imagine the earthy aroma of truffles mingling with the savoury scent of beef in a steaming bowl of ramen. This Truffle Beef Ramen recipe is a luxurious take on instant noodles that will transport your taste buds to gourmet heights.

Ingredients:
- 4 Wholesome Bowl Balanced Beef Packets
- 200g thinly sliced brown mushrooms
- 500g thinly sliced steak (Rump or Scotch Fillet preferred)
- 1 whole leek
- 4 whole eggs
- 1/4 head sugar loaf cabbage
- 2 tbsp porcini mushroom sauce
- 2 tsp truffle oil
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- Optional: Hot sauce and soy sauce to taste

Directions:
1. Soft boil the eggs for seven minutes, then place them in ice water to stop the cooking process. Peel once chilled.
2. Prepare the vegetables: discard the green top and root bottom of the leek, thinly slice the white section, and rinse. Chop the cabbage into finger-sized strips.
3. Thinly slice the steak and mushrooms.
4. Cook the Wholesome Bowl Balanced Beef Noodles according to the package instructions.
5. With two minutes left, add the soup-flavouring sachets, porcini mushroom sauce, cabbage, mushrooms, leeks, black pepper, and sliced beef. Bring to a boil, stirring to separate the beef and distribute the vegetables.
6. Once cooked, portion the ramen into four bowls. Slice the eggs in half and place on top of each bowl. Drizzle with truffle oil and serve. Adjust flavor with soy sauce and hot sauce if desired.

Spicy Chilli Chicken Noodles Recipe
For those who enjoy a bit of heat, this Spicy Chilli Chicken Noodles recipe is a fiery delight. It's a fantastic way to use up leftovers, like that roast chicken from Sunday's dinner, and turn them into a mouth-watering Monday meal.

Ingredients:
- 4 Wholesome Bowl Cheerful Chicken Packets
- 1 whole roasted chicken
- 1 whole leek
- 1 package bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup crispy fried shallots
- 2 whole red cayenne chillies
- 4 tbsp chilli crunch (Lao Gan Ma)
- 6 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp five spice powder
- 1 bunch basil
- 1 bunch coriander

Directions:
1. Shred the roasted chicken meat and chop the skin into bite-sized pieces.
2. Prepare the herbs, leek, and chillies as described in the previous recipe.
3. Mix the soy sauce, rice vinegar, caster sugar, peanut butter, water, and five-spice powder to make the dressing.
4. Cook the Wholesome Bowl Chicken Noodles as directed using the pan method.
5. Fold in the chicken, leeks, chillies, bean sprouts, and herbs. Pour over the dressing and mix thoroughly.
6. Portion into four bowls and top with crispy fried shallots.

These recipes are more than just a way to save money; they're a testament to the power of creativity in the kitchen. With a few extra ingredients and a dash of imagination, you can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. So next time you find yourself with a packet of two-minute noodles and a craving for something special, remember that a gourmet meal might just be a few simple steps away.

Key Takeaways

• Eating out might be less attainable due to the cost of living crisis, but Wholesome Bowl is offering a solution by transforming instant noodles into quality meals.
• Executive Chef Michael Trip has developed recipes that elevate two-minute noodles to restaurant-worthy dishes using fresh ingredients and leftovers.
• The Truffle Beef Ramen recipe combines Wholesome Bowl Balanced Beef Packets with steak, mushrooms, cabbage, and truffle oil to create a rich and luxurious noodle dish.
• The Spicy Chilli Chicken Noodles recipe uses Wholesome Bowl Cheerful Chicken Packets, roasted chicken, leek, bean sprouts, and a special dressing to deliver a flavorful and spicy noodle experience.

We'd love to hear from our members! Have you tried jazzing up your instant noodles before? What are your favourite add-ins to make a quick meal feel like a feast? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below, and let's inspire each other with our budget-friendly culinary creations!

 

[Roh]

Quick and cheap meal using instant noodles:-
Thinly sliced onion, grated carrot, shredded cabbage, sliced zucchini, sliced spinach, diced red capsicum (or green) and any other similar veges left in the fridge at the end of your shopping week (say for Tuesday night meal if you do your main shop on a Wednesday). Cook vegetables in a pan using a little olive oil and water and steam until cooked ...... I usually start with the onion then add the rest in order of thickness or time to cook leaving those that cook quickly till last. In the meantime I prepare the noodles using boiling water into a microwave proof jug and then microwave for whatever time is stated on packet (one per person, so I usually use 2 packets). Once vegetables are ready and noodles are cooked and sachet mixed through noodles combine with vegetables and stir to mix noodles through vegetables and cook on a lowered heat for a few minutes then serve in a bowl.

If you have any left over meat (steak or roast or even cold meat like ham) or some chicken then cut it into bite sized pieces and add to noodles. If you have some bacon, that can be cooked separately under the grill and then broken up and added to the meal. The things you can add to noodles are vast and a very tasty meal can be made without breaking the bank buying expensive oils etc.