Food For Thought

How To Cook Instant Noodles

1. Measure about 500-600ml of water and bring to boil.
2. Immerse cake of noodles into pot. Cover up & let it simmer. Wait for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add seasoning & let it simmer for another 1 minute.
4. Add one egg & cover up. Simmer for 30 seconds and serve.

The Part That Most Cookbooks Don't Have

1. Don't worry if your add too much water. Let it simmer for a longer time after you add the seasoning so more water will evaporate. The noodles will gain more flavour this way too.
2. Make sure the noodles are soft. If not, stir gently & separate the strands only after it has simmered. Breaking the cake immediately after it is submerged will break up the strands of the noodle.
3. Simmer longer for more taste. You may add sesame oil or other seasonings to replace the included packet of seasoning.
4. Simmering will spread the egg evenly. For better effects, stir in a quick circular motion after simmer to beat the egg thoroughly.

Honestly, cookbooks should cut down on lies like "It's so easy you can make your own pasta in 5 minutes", & include more "What If"s. "What if I don't eat pork?" "You can substitute with chicken , but remember to cut down cooking time by 10 minutes." "What if I added too much water?" "Cut down on the veg next, they release moisture when cooked."

That would have saved my first time in the kitchen, when I had to run down to the provision shop with floured hands. Who knows, it may even save marriages somewhere around the world. So remember to include a worst-case scenario section in your cookbook the next time, you might even make it to the chart for "New York's Bestseller".