Hacks That Make It Feel Like You're Not Just Eating From A Box
We all have those days when we're too busy or tired to spend half an hour cooking. In these moments, the Kraft Dinner in the back of the cupboard feels like a Godsend. However, if you're anything resembling a foodie, you probably don't just want to munch on highlighter yellow noodles out of a saucepan, no matter how exhausted you are. Spending 20 extra seconds to put it on a nice plate, adding a sprig of basil and some Pecorino shavings, can go a long way. Here are 20 chef hacks for making instant food restaurant-worthy.
1. Upgrade With Aromatics
Saute some garlic, onions, or shallots before adding your instant food. It not only adds a lot of nice flavor but also makes you feel like you did something.
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2. Add Cheese
Cheese goes great on everything. Some shaved Parmigiano Reggiano on top of your frozen lasagna is a no-brainer. You can even add American cheese to your ramen noodles for something a little different.
3. Finish With A Pat Of Butter
Butter makes everything better. Don't hesitate to glob it onto ramen noodles, add it to rice, or put a little extra in your Kraft Dinner.
4. Garnish With Fresh Herbs
Don't let that big bunch of cilantro you bought to make guacamole with the other day get all droopy. Chop it up and add it to your instant meal. It will add some freshness and a whole lot of flavor.
5. Add Some Spices
It's time to let those forgotten spices that came with the spice rack shine. Herbes de Provence, Cajun seasoning, Garam Masala, let's see what you can make of this Cup O' Noodles!
6. Put An Egg On It
The perfect way to jazz up a dish, whether it's ramen or Chef Boyardee, is to add an egg. You can fry, soft-boil, or poach it to add richness, protein, and flavor.
7. Drizzle On Something Fancy
Have a nice bottle of truffle oil just waiting for its time to shine? Drizzle on whatever fancy oil or balsamic reduction you have in your pantry to elevate the dish.
8. Serve It On A Nice Plate Or Bowl
Just because it's instant food doesn't mean you have to eat it out of a plastic container. Placing it in a nice dish can make it look sophisticated and feel more pleasant to eat.
9. Sauce It Up
Whether it's soy, mayo, cheese, or hot sauce, sauce is always a good idea. It can add a lot of flavor to bland food, and you can use it to make art on the plate, too.
10. Use Negative Space
Have you ever noticed how fancy restaurants always serve food on plates that are way too large for the portion? They're using negative space to frame the dish and make it look more elegant. You can do it too, even with instant food.
11. Use Height
When plating your dish, use the height rule. Whether it's making a Jenga tower out of spring rolls or a volcano out of noodles, adding some height creates visual appeal and drama.
12. Add A Squirt Of Citrus
A squirt of fresh lemon, orange, or lime juice goes a long way. It instantly adds freshness, acidity, and complexity to your dish.
13. Add Fresh Stuff
It doesn't matter how long those dried noodles have been sitting in your cupboard. Adding vegetables like chives, tomatoes, cucumbers, or leafy greens will freshen them right up.
14. Make Your Own Sauce
You may not be making your meal tonight, but you can still put your chef hat on and channel your inner saucier. Whether it's a honey-soy-ginger-peanut concoction or a creamy white wine reduction, a fresh-made sauce can completely change the character of the dish.
16. Combine
Have some pot stickers in the freezer and some instant noodles in your cupboard? The more instant foods, the merrier! Add some zest to your meal by combining them.
17. Add Some Quality Protein
Your instant meal might've only cost 60 cents, but that doesn't mean you can't add a 20 dollar cut ribeye on top. Adding a beautifully cooked piece of protein, whether it's beef, chicken, tofu, or fish, can make your instant meal feel like an elevated dish.
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18. Add A Nut Butter
Peanut butter isn't just for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It goes beautifully in ramen. Similarly, tahini or almond butter can add an extra layer of flavor and creaminess to a variety of dishes.
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19. Add Some Roasted Veggies
Have an oven? Stick some vegetables in it! Roasted vegetables can add a lot of pazzaz and nutrition to your ramen, Hamburger Helper, or frozen dinner.
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20. Play Around With Preparation Methods
You don't have to adhere to the directions on the box. What it says there is just the most basic, fastest way of getting that food into your stomach, but if you're looking to make your meal less instant and more gourmet, feel free to experiment. Fry your ramen, bake your Kraft Dinner, or cook that Uncle Ben's in a wok.
