I know I haven’t done one of these in a while but I’ve been uninspired. Until now that is.

I’m thoroughly and unusually enamored with THESE Rice Noodle Soup Bowls. It’s a pre-made food. But it’s rice, it’s vegetarian, it tastes good. I don’t normally like pre-made food. But this stuff is easy it’s simple and it’s what I want for lunch. Lunch for me is small. It’s broth with veggies and noodles or rice. Maybe some bread but not usually. Maybe a salad instead of soup. My favorite lunches though are just soup. This fits the bill and it’s fast. I try to pack as much into a work day as possible so I’m not working too much on my “free” time. I don’t want to spend a lot of time on lunch. I want easy.

In the beginning I was fairly happy with them just as they are. But the more I had them the more I found them lacking. Obviously the novelty wore off. I started to add ingredients. Scallions, mushrooms, other veggies or hot chili sauce. Now wait a minute. I’m turning something easy into something a little less so and why shouldn’t I just make my own if it’s going to be that way.

Right. Why don’t I just make my own? Why haven’t I been making my own all along?

And now I have 2 versions. 1 version that I can make and sit on a shelf for a few weeks in the shop and eat when I want or ones that I make and put in the fridge that need to be eaten sooner.

Shelf sitters ingredients:
Rice noodles
Organic Veggie Bouillon
Dehydrated Veggies
Powdered Garlic (plain and roasted versions)

Refrigerated versions:
Rice Noodles
Miso
Real Veggie Stock
Chili Sauce
Garlic
Veggies

All I do is put together all the ingredients in a plastic bowl. When I want to eat it, I just pour in 2 cups of water or if I’m using the real stock, I heat up 2 cups of it and pour it over the rest of the ingredients. Cover it up. 5 minutes later the stuff has mixed, the noodles are cooked and the greens I put in there are nicely wilted. Yum. Better than the stuff from the package.

I’m not sure I’m saving money because I’m buying organic and better ingredients but I am eating more like I want to eat. AND my bowls are reusable. There is no waste. I spend some time on Sunday getting a few ready for the week and then I don’t have to stress about food or what I’ve going to do, I just put a bowl in my bag and I’m out the door.