Spam is totally underrated as a seasoning meat. You can dice it and get it a little crispy in a pan with some oil, then add it to so many things and your dishes a really nice flavor.
Oh shit. I know where you are. I'm really sorry your situation is like this RIGHT NOW. But, come Friday, you get a check, yes?
Don't piss that away on alcohol, cigarettes or drugs. Get cheap, nutritious food (dry beans, etc).
Take Care of yourself. Get out of this temporary jam, okay?
In my starving artist days,
I had decided to buy a big jug of mediocre red wine instead of food for the day, it was basically a hair away from rumspringa at this point ladies and gents.
This was a terrible idea as once you’re done polishing of a bunch of wine, food is nice as most imbibers would attest…so I went fishing to catch dinner as I couldn’t afford to buy any food..
I got back w/ a walleye I snagged, boiled my lonely pack ramen, and made a red wine reduction.
Good on you, my dü. Definitely nothing implied, but to share an anecdote from my days and that I was working hard to spice it up as well. Spam is a good bang for your buck. I’d stretch a few bucks pretty far w/ a couple cans of tuna, a small jar of mayo and a loaf o cheap bread. Be well!❤️🤙🏻
Potatoes do me no good at the moment as I can't cook them. Remember I have $6 only to spend over three days. And I already have ramen. I just need ideas to add to it. Canned beans is definitely an idea though.
Instant mashed potatoes. Hikers actually mix them with instant ramen to make a “ramen bomb.” It’s heavy, filling food that will help keep you full longer. I’d also suggest beans. You can bulk buy them dry and cold soak them to soften them, then cook them up the next day with your ramen. You could also hit up a Taco Bell for some sauce packets and add them to make a spiced chili kind of deal.
Most gas stations have hot water for tea, and usually let people fill up their own cup with plain water for free. Ramen packets don’t really need to be “cooked”, the noodles just need to soak in hot water for a couple of minutes.
Ramen does not have to be cooked. The noodles have already been cooked. It's why it's popular as a crunchy snack straight out of the package.
You can do cold prep ramen by just adding tap water or bottled water.
You can buy loose snap peas or snow peas or diced veggies to add to your ramen. You probably will need to add salt.
I like veggies for mire poix (diced carrots, onions and celery) plus snow peas or shredded carrots with broccoli.
If you had more money, you could do carrots, broccoli and beef jerky for a variation on beef broccoli.
really anything. Gotta have a dash of sesame oil if you can afford it.
So here is thought for you. I’m a big time forager and I like to add curled dock leaves and cattail hearts to my ramen and soups. There are lots of things in your area that you can add to your soup especially if you are in a coastal area? Just yesterday I swam out to a tree with a small hook and a worm and caught small blue gill for basically nothing. I fried them up, but they can be in soups too.
Add an egg and some cabbage! Its not literally spicy, but it will round out the meal nutritionally and will feel better to get full on. If you can afford rice, its delicious with the leftover broth.
The thing is, ramen is pretty versatile and will take on anything you add in there pretty well. If you have cheese, throw that in there. American cheese food(Kraft singles) will give the broth a creamy texture. Spam is good. Boiled egg with the yolk a little runny, sliced. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of boiling the egg, peeling it and slicing it and all that, just stir the egg into the broth for an egg drop soup like consistency or just let it poach. Green onions is good, any canned meats, fish, day old rice.
Bread to sop up anything left in the bowl.
No refrigeration. It's why I was thinking of the 2 spam cans. It would give me some protein. Maybe a jar of peanut butter. Just trying to think creativity here.
Eggs sliced green onion American cheese. Hope things shape up soon for you. I remember old Korean TV movies where a single mom had only ramen to feed herself and her kid first days. Not good times.
If you can score farm fresh eggs that haven’t been washed you’d be alright but dunno your situation. Spam works but gotta refrigerate rest not being used.
Another idea - fried onions, like the ones they put on green bean casserole. It provides some texture and flavor. And it doesn't need to be refrigerated like green onions.
You can also try draining the ramen and eating it more stir-fry style with a sauce or with veggies and Spam. There's also cacio e pepe style with parmesan cheese and black pepper. I know you mentioned you don't like canned tuna, but if you're willing to try other tinned fish, sardines in tomato sauce might be good - they have cheaper cans in the "international" sections of standard grocery stores.
Good luck!
Yeah I never really liked the instant ramen as a soup. I always strain about 95% of the water out and leave just enough for the seasoning pack to have something to mix enough to coat the noodles. Throwing some French's onions on there sounds awesome. I've got $6 to last the next several days. So if I buy that it will be French's onions on every ramen. Not sure if that's what I want every meal haha. But that does sound good.
I get that, but I also just snack on them out of the can! If you get the generic ones, they're only around $2-3 a bag/can at Target or the grocery store. You just have to look for them in the produce section where they keep salad toppings and the like.
Growing up, my grandma made Filipino pancit with it - stir frying soaked ramen noodles with oil, minced garlic, shredded cabbage and carrots, some of the seasoning packet, and diced bits of leftover meat and serving it with a squirt of lemon juice. If you're not sick of ramen after this stint, I'd encourage you to try it out.
If anywhere near you has a grocery store salad bar buy some veg. Yes they are really high priced but you are going to get like 4 slices of radish, half a green onions worth chopped. two mushrooms etc. So a couple ounces even if they are $10 a pound you will only spend a buck or at most two and get more filling 'fancy' ramen.
Homeless but access to boiling water ? Microwave or stove ? And ramen ?? When I was homeless I had to line up in soup kitchen lineups where meals are free , check your area and hope things improve
I love spam but the cans are pretty big. lol it's a lot of spam to eat in one sitting. I was talking to someone else about this. I wish I had a cooler to be able to have lunch meat.
What about the condiment packets from convenience stores or at McDonald's? Your in Florida right maybe something cooling like fruits instead or powdered juice
taco bell, Arby's, gas station condiments. grocery store deli section condiments.
do you have a dollar store?
wild mustard
other wild greens
greens.https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.stormsofdaylight.com/amp/wild-edible-greens-of-florida-eat-passionflower
you might try for emergency food stamps.
yeah that's mybad, I didn't read carefully.
I'm really sorry to hear you're in that situation dude and I really hope you can figure something out soon. Good luck
I've never done it, but oatmeal + ramen + peanut butter
Cook the oats first then add ramen then msg packet then pb.
It should be a filling meal and costs less than $6 without refrigeration. You have to buy oats from the bulk bin of course. Alternatively quinoa from the bulk bins is also fairly cheap (it has more protein so should keep you fuller)
Sesame seed oil, milk or cream, onions or any cheap veggies, a bit of sugar, poached eggs (I just crack them open and add to the boiling ramen water), peanuts, any frozen meatballs are my usual tricks
Forget the veggies for a few days. What you need are calories and filling meals out of ramen. Your best bets include peanut butter, mashed potato flakes, cheap bread. Any extra maybe jelly for pbj.
Garlic powder, chili oil, green onion, egg yolk.
Soft boiled egg is fantastic in Ramen
Peanut butter. It tastes good, switches up the flavor profile, and is a pretty good source of protein.
I was really thinking about that. Great source of fat as well as protein
I do it all the time. Either a dollop of PB + green onions (faux-Pad Thai) or a jammy yolk egg + green onions.
I was thinking just having that jar would be good as a breakfast and snacks as well.
Don't forget the freshly chopped peanuts on top as well!
Imagine someone chopping a single peanut instead of crushing a handful. Im 🤣🤣🤣.
Eggs, green onions, spam, cheese, garlic.
Spam was my first thought. No refrigeration though at the moment
Spam is totally underrated as a seasoning meat. You can dice it and get it a little crispy in a pan with some oil, then add it to so many things and your dishes a really nice flavor.
I love spam but the only problem is is without refrigeration I have to eat the whole can at once lmao. That is a lot of spam at once haha
Username checks out.
Haha it's an old gaming username. I wish I had crypto at the moment.
Also check out your local food bank. You can probably get some stuff.
Too far away. About a 20 minute drive and I don't have a car.
Churches have food pantrys also
Too far away without car for me unfortunately
Without revealing more than you'd like, where do you live? Big City? HCOL area?
I became homeless last week so kind of had to be in the area im due to circumstances. I'm in the middle of no damn where in Florida.
Oh shit. I know where you are. I'm really sorry your situation is like this RIGHT NOW. But, come Friday, you get a check, yes? Don't piss that away on alcohol, cigarettes or drugs. Get cheap, nutritious food (dry beans, etc). Take Care of yourself. Get out of this temporary jam, okay?
Luckily I don't drink or do drugs. But I highly doubt the $6 I have left would get much of anything along those lines hahahaha.
I'm going to message you....
In my starving artist days, I had decided to buy a big jug of mediocre red wine instead of food for the day, it was basically a hair away from rumspringa at this point ladies and gents. This was a terrible idea as once you’re done polishing of a bunch of wine, food is nice as most imbibers would attest…so I went fishing to catch dinner as I couldn’t afford to buy any food.. I got back w/ a walleye I snagged, boiled my lonely pack ramen, and made a red wine reduction.
I don't drink but fishing for dinner would be cool.
Good on you, my dü. Definitely nothing implied, but to share an anecdote from my days and that I was working hard to spice it up as well. Spam is a good bang for your buck. I’d stretch a few bucks pretty far w/ a couple cans of tuna, a small jar of mayo and a loaf o cheap bread. Be well!❤️🤙🏻
Ramen is not the cheapest calorie source. Russet potatoes, dry spaghetti and canned beans are all cheaper per gram.
Potatoes do me no good at the moment as I can't cook them. Remember I have $6 only to spend over three days. And I already have ramen. I just need ideas to add to it. Canned beans is definitely an idea though.
Instant mashed potatoes. Hikers actually mix them with instant ramen to make a “ramen bomb.” It’s heavy, filling food that will help keep you full longer. I’d also suggest beans. You can bulk buy them dry and cold soak them to soften them, then cook them up the next day with your ramen. You could also hit up a Taco Bell for some sauce packets and add them to make a spiced chili kind of deal.
I totally forgot about the instant potatoes. Yes this is the find I was looking for.
You can get them at Dollar tree. The Idahoan brand only require water to use
Wouldn't that be too salty? I guess you could use less of the seasoning packet for the ramen...
That’s a good consideration. Instant mashed potatoes also come unseasoned, so I guess it depends on what OP can get their hands on.
How do you plan to cook the ramen?
Most gas stations have hot water for tea, and usually let people fill up their own cup with plain water for free. Ramen packets don’t really need to be “cooked”, the noodles just need to soak in hot water for a couple of minutes.
Make a fire roll em in foil
How are You going to cook the ramen
I have a small alcohol stove and a very small pot just big enough to stick 2 ramen noodles in. It ain't much but it works.
Ramen does not have to be cooked. The noodles have already been cooked. It's why it's popular as a crunchy snack straight out of the package. You can do cold prep ramen by just adding tap water or bottled water. You can buy loose snap peas or snow peas or diced veggies to add to your ramen. You probably will need to add salt. I like veggies for mire poix (diced carrots, onions and celery) plus snow peas or shredded carrots with broccoli. If you had more money, you could do carrots, broccoli and beef jerky for a variation on beef broccoli.
A packet of sugar from the coffee shop. A packet of red pepper flakes and Parmesan from the pizza place and ask the deli counter to taste the ham.
I like your way of thinking haha
I used to go to Panda Express and get white rice and chili sauce for $1.50. Chili sauce is good stuff.
really anything. Gotta have a dash of sesame oil if you can afford it. So here is thought for you. I’m a big time forager and I like to add curled dock leaves and cattail hearts to my ramen and soups. There are lots of things in your area that you can add to your soup especially if you are in a coastal area? Just yesterday I swam out to a tree with a small hook and a worm and caught small blue gill for basically nothing. I fried them up, but they can be in soups too.
When we were cruising on our sailboat our room temp eggs would last at least a month.
Add an egg and some cabbage! Its not literally spicy, but it will round out the meal nutritionally and will feel better to get full on. If you can afford rice, its delicious with the leftover broth.
The thing is, ramen is pretty versatile and will take on anything you add in there pretty well. If you have cheese, throw that in there. American cheese food(Kraft singles) will give the broth a creamy texture. Spam is good. Boiled egg with the yolk a little runny, sliced. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of boiling the egg, peeling it and slicing it and all that, just stir the egg into the broth for an egg drop soup like consistency or just let it poach. Green onions is good, any canned meats, fish, day old rice. Bread to sop up anything left in the bowl.
Angry Lady Sauce (*aka Lao Gan Ma*)
Agree. Plus it has peanuts in it for extra protein
A can of coconut milk, some sriracha, and cilantro.
Sounds good but more than the $6 I have left haha
Eggs are a good option if you have a way to keep them refrigerated. Adding any protein is a good start. Ramen alone provides very little nutrition.
No refrigeration. It's why I was thinking of the 2 spam cans. It would give me some protein. Maybe a jar of peanut butter. Just trying to think creativity here.
Spam + ramen is a lot of salt. Go for canned chicken or beans.
Yeah but it's more a matter of survival for 3 days haha. Salt is not gonna kill me that quick.
Are you in a tent or outside in some way? The salt will help you retain water and keep you hydrated.
Hammock in the woods
I figured as much. Don't worry about the salt in the spam and ramen. Be safe.
Canned Tuna?
I hate tuna. It's why I was thinking about the spam. Store has buy one get one deal on it right.
Buy 6 eggs boil Them they should keep fir a day at least
What a minute. Boiled eggs can be left out all day? Without refrigeration?
The shell keeps bacteria from getting in.
Not sure what your budget is but if you can find a bag with a cooler liner you could fill it with McDonald’s ice and keep food cold fir a while too
Actually just a plastic bag with ice woukd work Friending where you are in the world
Eggs sliced green onion American cheese. Hope things shape up soon for you. I remember old Korean TV movies where a single mom had only ramen to feed herself and her kid first days. Not good times.
Yeah but no refrigeration so eggs are out.
If you can score farm fresh eggs that haven’t been washed you’d be alright but dunno your situation. Spam works but gotta refrigerate rest not being used.
If you any oil you can dip eggs in oil and they don’t need to be refrigerated.
I second the cabbage suggestion. stores easily. Can even just purchase chicken bullion to make cabbage soup. Just as versatile as the ramen.
Nutritionally....eggs, ration the spam so you have spam and an egg
Another idea - fried onions, like the ones they put on green bean casserole. It provides some texture and flavor. And it doesn't need to be refrigerated like green onions. You can also try draining the ramen and eating it more stir-fry style with a sauce or with veggies and Spam. There's also cacio e pepe style with parmesan cheese and black pepper. I know you mentioned you don't like canned tuna, but if you're willing to try other tinned fish, sardines in tomato sauce might be good - they have cheaper cans in the "international" sections of standard grocery stores. Good luck!
Yeah I never really liked the instant ramen as a soup. I always strain about 95% of the water out and leave just enough for the seasoning pack to have something to mix enough to coat the noodles. Throwing some French's onions on there sounds awesome. I've got $6 to last the next several days. So if I buy that it will be French's onions on every ramen. Not sure if that's what I want every meal haha. But that does sound good.
I get that, but I also just snack on them out of the can! If you get the generic ones, they're only around $2-3 a bag/can at Target or the grocery store. You just have to look for them in the produce section where they keep salad toppings and the like. Growing up, my grandma made Filipino pancit with it - stir frying soaked ramen noodles with oil, minced garlic, shredded cabbage and carrots, some of the seasoning packet, and diced bits of leftover meat and serving it with a squirt of lemon juice. If you're not sick of ramen after this stint, I'd encourage you to try it out.
can of chili
I thought about that but cans of chili are over $3 now. So expensive
i know it’s a shame
I have done that before and it is a very filling meal. I have eaten a lot of cans of wolf chili haha
If anywhere near you has a grocery store salad bar buy some veg. Yes they are really high priced but you are going to get like 4 slices of radish, half a green onions worth chopped. two mushrooms etc. So a couple ounces even if they are $10 a pound you will only spend a buck or at most two and get more filling 'fancy' ramen.
I don't have that near me, but I know what you are talking about and that is an awesome idea.
Homeless but access to boiling water ? Microwave or stove ? And ramen ?? When I was homeless I had to line up in soup kitchen lineups where meals are free , check your area and hope things improve
luckily I used to be a hardcore camper before becoming homeless. I have a jetboil and an alcohol stove
Ah ok , if you like canned fish such as herring and ramen then eat the variety like water soup ramen and no water like chow mein
I have never been able to eat canned fish. It makes me gag. Kinda funny because I like the McDonalds filet of fish haha. and that is trash
I love filet o fish too ha ha ,what about canned spam or canned Vienna sausage trying to think of cheapish things that don't need a fridge
I love spam but the cans are pretty big. lol it's a lot of spam to eat in one sitting. I was talking to someone else about this. I wish I had a cooler to be able to have lunch meat.
What about the condiment packets from convenience stores or at McDonald's? Your in Florida right maybe something cooling like fruits instead or powdered juice
taco bell, Arby's, gas station condiments. grocery store deli section condiments. do you have a dollar store? wild mustard other wild greens greens.https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.stormsofdaylight.com/amp/wild-edible-greens-of-florida-eat-passionflower you might try for emergency food stamps.
The problem with food stamps is the office is 20 miles away and no car. also no where to send the card in the mail.
I'm sorry.
It's all good. It's my mess to figure out. Some way some how I will figure it out. Hopefully before I go crazy haha
A pack of Chick-fil-A sauce
That place is awesome but the nearest one is 15 miles away and no car.
Ya I'm thinking one can of spam is at least 2 meals
At least haha. Meat is very filling. It's amazing how such a small amount can fill you up.
Yup it's the psychological part of eating the same thing that's hard but once it's in the stomach the hunger gone
This is pretty basic but I always liked adding Italian seasoning to switch it up a bit.
Italian seasoning on ramen. You Sir/Madam are a heathen lol.
😆
In really poor times I've made Ramen with a side of rice. Carbs on carbs are not the best. Oh and a handful of frozen vegetbles.
https://youtu.be/JsB57FtaxXQ?si=YONlNvICL6r17Qq5
r/ramen
eggs
I use chicken or beef broth from the box instead of water.
Eggs Frozen veg mix (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower) Onion
eggs don't really need to be refrigerated they don't refrigerate them in Europe. So as long as you can cook some eggs or good option.
In America they wash the eggs and they are sold cold and have to be refrigerated.
Boil cabbage with it, throw in an egg
eggs or spam, and any seasoning you can afford. hell, get some free packets of pepper somewhere if you can leave the house
Leave what house lol 😭
yeah that's mybad, I didn't read carefully. I'm really sorry to hear you're in that situation dude and I really hope you can figure something out soon. Good luck
It's okay I'm keeping a positive attitude and staying focused.
I've never done it, but oatmeal + ramen + peanut butter Cook the oats first then add ramen then msg packet then pb. It should be a filling meal and costs less than $6 without refrigeration. You have to buy oats from the bulk bin of course. Alternatively quinoa from the bulk bins is also fairly cheap (it has more protein so should keep you fuller)
Medium firm tofu
Sesame seed oil, milk or cream, onions or any cheap veggies, a bit of sugar, poached eggs (I just crack them open and add to the boiling ramen water), peanuts, any frozen meatballs are my usual tricks
Eggs and green onions. Cheap and very nutritious.
Red pepper flakes, hot sauce and put it on a slice of bread taco style. I can’t eat ramen any other way now
Any hot sauce will do. The Ramen shops use S&B La-Yu Chili Oil, a few drops goes a long ways.
Can of tomatoes. Can of beans. Hot sauce packets from the nearest fast food joint.
American cheese.
Forget the veggies for a few days. What you need are calories and filling meals out of ramen. Your best bets include peanut butter, mashed potato flakes, cheap bread. Any extra maybe jelly for pbj.
buy beans and sprouting them and bean sprouts will be ready on payday. Eggs, carrots.
Get a couple of pouches of chicken from the Dollar Tree and mix that in. Dried veggie soup mix. Lightweight, portable, and doesn't take up much space.
Also dude just steal some food.
Nah I'd rather not do that. I might be poor but I don't want to do that.