UC Berkeley students are always one of three things: tired, stressed or hungry. In order to survive, we’ve gotten used to getting only three hours of sleep, being stressed about not being stressed enough and eating one (and a half, if we’re lucky) meal a day. But, when we’re fortunate enough to have some spare time, there’s nothing better than cooking up a nice, gourmet meal to treat yo’ self. We have one recipe in particular that’ll rock your world. It’s a recipe that has withstood the test of time and brought harmony and joy to the hearts of families everywhere. The beauty of this dish is that it’s not only a classic, but also adaptable. Although we chose to add a citrus infusion, you can make it your own by adding your own locally sourced garnish. Simply substitute your ingredients of choice into the recipe where applicable.

Herb-Crusted Flavor-Blasted Maruchan Chicken Ramen with a Hint of Lemon

What you’ll need:

Equipment

– small to medium sized pot

– stove or microwave (for the best quality, stove is preferred, but microwave is just as gourmet)

– scissors to cut open the chicken flavoring package

Ingredients

– Maruchan brand chicken-flavored Ramen (available at local grocery stores, in “exotic foods” aisle)

– 1 lemon

– 1 tablespoon ground cumin

– Italian seasoning

– 1 tablespoon Cayenne pepper

– a pinch of salt and pepper

What you’ll do:

1. Put three cups of water into the pot and bring it to a boil.

2. When water is boiling, remove the ramen noodles from the Maruchan bag and place them inside the pot.

3. Allow the noodles to boil for seven to 10 minutes on medium temperature, giving them a subtler, softer texture.

4. Add the cumin, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper and salt and pepper to the noodles in no particular order (they’re all equally important). Stir occasionally, and with vigor for maximal flavor.

5. Finally, squeeze half of your lemon into the pot for a more refined and complex taste.

6. Give yourself a pat on the back because you deserve this gourmet meal.

7. Enjoy!