5 Quirky Ideas To Cook Instant Noodles At Home

Indian fusion food is all the rage everywhere you look these days. There are entire menus reserved to gastronomical delights where flavours and textures of diverse ingredients come together perfectly, in the most visually stunning way. But, we find ourselves falling short of innovative ideas when it comes to this kind of experimenting in our own kitchens. Well, that ends today! We are about to share with you 5 cool ways to create your own 'instant' fusion food that will take the tasty-levels of your midnight meals a notch up. You guessed it, we're talking about some not-so-classic ways to eat instant noodles! While some people treat instant noodles as just their invisible meal of the day, others have gone to lengths to make the very simple preparation of instant noodles crafty and creative. Here are 5 fun ways to jazz up your instant noodle meals at home. 1. Italian Style Instant NoodlesIf you love eating pizza and pasta, then I bet you will love this Italian version of instant noodles.  With all the flavours of your favourite pasta and pizza, this recipe comes with multiple toppings of mushrooms, marinara sauce, olives and lots of cheese. 
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutesIngredients:

• 1 packet of instant noodles or ramen
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 2 chopped garlic cloves
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup red pasta sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• 2 tablespoons sliced olives
• 2 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese (or more if you like your dish more 'cheesy'!)
• Salt as per your taste

How To Make:

1. Cook your instant noodles as per the instructions mentioned on the package without the given packaged masala. Strain the noodles in a clear bowl and keep them aside.
2. Now, heat oil in a pan and add garlic. Saute garlic for a minute and add mushrooms. 
3. Cook the mushrooms for two minutes and add pasta sauce, oregano and cooked noodles.
4. Now, cook on low flame for 2 minutes and then switch off the flame. Top it up with olives, basil and parmesan cheese. Your Italian version of instant noodles is ready to be served.

(Also Read: 10 Best Italian Food Recipes​)
2. Lemony Instant NoodlesThis recipe is for the ones who fancy eating south Indian food. If you love lemon rice, I am sure lemony instant noodles will be a new addition to your food list.Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 - 7 minutesIngredients:

• 1 packet of instant noodles or ramen
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 chopped tomato
• 2 chopped green chillies (optional)
• 1 tsp ginger juice
• 3-4 chopped garlic cloves
• 1 lemon
• 8-10 leaves curry leaves
• 1 tsp moong dal
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp zeera (cumin seeds)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder 
• Salt, as per taste
• Coriander leaves (for garnish)
• 1 tbsp oil

How To Make:

1. Cook your instant noodles as per instructions on the packet without the enclosed packaged masala. Strain the noodles in a clear bowl and keep them aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, moong dal and curry leaves. Saute them for a few minutes.
3. Now, add onions and cook them till they are translucent. Add the chopped ginger and garlic. Fry for another minute.
4. Add the tomato and stir well. Once the tomato becomes soft, add the green chillies, turmeric powder and salt.
5. Squeeze the juice of the entire lemon and add it to the pan. Mix well.
6. Finally, add the cooked noodles and mix well.
7. Switch off the flame and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot.

3. Mushroom-Broccoli Instant NoodlesEven your mom will give her nod of approval to this healthier version of instant noodles. All you need to do is add lots of veggies of your choice and make this recipe even more delightful.Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutesIngredients:

• 1 packet instant noodles/ramen
• 1 bowl chopped mushrooms
• 1/2 bowl broccoli florets
• 1 chopped capsicum 
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp oil 
• Salt (as per taste)

How To Make:

1. Cook instant noodles per instructions on the packet without using the enclosed packaged masala. Once cooked, keep them aside.
2. Now, heat oil in a pan and add all the veggies to it. Cook on low flame till they become soft. You may add a little water, if required.
3. Mix in the tastemaker with the veggies and add salt and pepper as per your taste. Stir it well and allow them to cook properly. 
4. Once your veggies are cooked, add this mixture to your instant noodles and mix it well.  Serve hot.

4. Instant Noodles CutletsTingle your taste buds with this amazing version of instant noodles. Imagine combining your favourite instant noodles with your mom's recipe of cutlets - sounds bizarre but tastes amazing! Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutesIngredients:

• Half  packet of insant noodles/ramen
• half bowl finely chopped boiled carrots, beans and cauliflower
• Half bowl boiled, peeled and mashed potatoes
• Half teaspoon chopped green chillies
• 1/4 bowl chopped coriander
• 1 teaspoon zeera powder (cumin powder)
• Half bowl chopped onions
• 1 tsp chat masala
• 1 tsp amchur powder (optional)
• Salt (as per taste)
• 1 tbsp oil 

How To Make:

1. Cook your instant noodles as per instructions on the packet without the enclosed packaged masala. Once cooked, keep it aside.
2. Now, take a bowl and mix all the ingredients including the noodles using your hands. 
3. Evenly divide the mixture into small portions and flatten the top of the each portion with your palm to make it look like small patties.
4. Heat oil in a pan and place these patties in it. Cover with lid and cook on medium flame till the patties turn golden brown from both the sides. Serve hot with pudina chutney or lehsun chutney. 

5. Instant Noodle BhelThis recipe will replace your movie-night popcorns, tea time snack and midday munchies - basically it will replace all your fav snacks! Instant noodle bhel will be your new bae. Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutesIngredients:

• 1 packet instant noodles/ramen
• Half bowl murmura 
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup 
• 2 tbsp water 
• 1 finely chopped tomato 
• 1 finely chopped onion 
• A handful chopped coriander leaves
• Nylon sev (to garnish)
• 1 tbsp fried peanuts (optional)
• I diced boiled potato 
• I finely sliced green chilli 
• 2 sliced raw mango 
• 1/4 tsp red chilli powder 
• A pinch of sugar 
• Salt (as per taste)
• Half tbsp lemon juice

How To Make:

1. Start by roasting your instant noodles in a pan till they turn golden brown. And keep it aside to let it cool down. Once it is done, crush them with your hands.
2. Now, take a bowl and mix tomato ketchup, noodle masala and water and keep it aside.
3. Take a bigger bowl and add onion, tomato, green chilli, boiled potato, peanuts, noodle masala, sugar, salt, red chilli powder, raw mango and lemon juice together. Mix all the ingredients well.
4. Last but not the least, add murmura, roasted noodles, nylon sev and coriander leaves. Mix well and serve.

So, what are you waiting for? Wear your chef's hats and create your own version of instant noodles. All you need is plenty of instant noodles and creative ideas to find the flavours you love.