Ramen Noodle Soup

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 8 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 8 thin slices ginger
• 1 pound sliced bacon
• 4 pounds chicken wings
• 12 dried shiitake mushrooms, rinsed
• 12 scallions, white and light green parts, chopped
• 1/4 cup sake or dry sherry
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon white peppercorns
• 8 3 -to-5-ounce packages dry or vacuum-packed ramen noodles (flavor packets discarded)
• Assorted toppings (see below)

1. Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the garlic, onion and ginger and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is dark brown, about 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, make the broth: Put the bacon and chicken wings in a Dutch oven and add enough water to cover.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes.
5. Drain and wipe the pot clean.
6. Rinse the bacon and wings under cold water, then return to the pot; add 4 quarts water and the dried mushrooms.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium; add the garlic mixture and gently simmer 1 hour, 15 minutes.
8. Strain the broth through a colander into a large bowl, pressing on the solids to extract as much of the liquid as possible.
9. Skim any excess fat from the surface.
10. Measure the broth, adding water if necessary to yield 2 quarts.
11. (The broth can be made up to 4 days ahead; cover and refrigerate.)
12. Just before serving, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and the scallions in a medium skillet over medium heat until the mixture starts sizzling.
13. Add the sake, soy sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, the sugar, peppercorns and 1/2 cup water.
14. Simmer, reducing to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes.
15. Bring the broth and the scallion mixture to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat.
16. Add the noodles and cook until softened, 1 to 3 minutes.
17. Gently pull the noodles apart with tongs.
18. Transfer the soup to bowls and top as desired.
19. Toppings Bar
20. Take your pick: These taste great in just about any combination.
21. Shredded rotisserie chicken
22. Sauteed mushrooms
23. Nori strips (seaweed)
24. Shredded kale
25. Cubed firm tofu
26. Snow peas
27. Toasted sesame seeds
28. Sliced radishes
29. Sliced scallions
30. Bean sprouts
31. Kimchi
32. Watercress
33. Sliced jalapeno
34. Pickled ginger
35. Wasabi paste
36. Fried egg
37. Sesame oil
38. Sriracha
39. Roasted squash: Toss cubed butternut or kabocha squash (no need to peel) with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, sugar and red pepper flakes.
40. Roast at 425 degrees F, 30 minutes.
41. Sauteed shrimp: Stir-fry peeled deveined shrimp in hot olive oil with minced ginger, chopped scallions and a pinch each of sugar, salt and pepper.
42. Roasted pork belly: Put 1 cup each sake and water, 1/2 cup each soy sauce and mirin, and 1/4 cup sugar in a Dutch oven.
43. Add 2 pounds skinless pork belly, 1 quartered onion, 1/2 head garlic and 4 thin slices ginger.
44. Cover with foil.
45. Roast at 325 degrees F,3 hours; slice.
46. Photograph by Charles Masters

vegetable oil, garlic, onion, ginger, bacon, chicken, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, sake, soy sauce, kosher salt, sugar, white peppercorns, ramen noodles, toppings

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/ramen-noodle-soup-recipe.html (may not work)