Monday, November 2, 2009

I hate myself for loving you

What is delicious, yet wicked. About 9000 calories, but so tasty you can't stop yourself? Chicken pot pies. I confess. And not the fresh, wholesome kind your Grandma makes either. The frozen kind you bake on a cookie sheet. While I haven't touched one in quite some time, doesn't mean I don't want to...

I consider myself a very healthy eater. JohnnyMac and I don't always agree on what is considered "real food". He thinks its real if it goes in your mouth. I think it is real if I make it myself, OR if it has less than 10 ingredients all of which are easy to pronounce and identify. But that doesn't mean I haven't flirted with many a highly processed food.

As for the frozen pot pies, I remember having the Swanson version as a kid, but one night, JohnnyMac pulled a little Boston Market Chicken Pot Pie out of the freezer. I turned my nose up at it, until I saw that flaky crust (made of mysterious ingredients) and when I had a little nibble, I concede, I rather liked it. If you could eat whatever you wanted with no caloric, cancer-causing or heart-congestive penalty what would you bring back to the table?Add this to the list: Frozen twinkies which are currently banned in our house. The ban is self implemented. Oh did you think JohnnyMac was going to veto ANY junk food? Non. A frozen twinkie is a tasty treat made completely from artificial products but OH so good.

And uncooked cookie dough? With all of your sugary goodness. More please.

A brightly and artficially flavored/colored Cheeto? Gimme.

But, none of those are my dirty secret. One of my favorite things as a kid is a wretched little treat called Top Ramen. After my parents divorced, my Dad actually made this for us as a meal. It was so much fancier than normal because he would mix an egg in it. And I loved it. And admittedly, I have had it a few times as an adult, out of college, out of grad school, and able to afford a meal that costs more than 6 cents. But, at least I made it all fancy style with that egg.

Years ago, JohnnyMac came home and unable to identify by sight what I was eating, he asked me. I told him SOUP. He squinted his eyes at me, then the bowl, and back to me. "What kind of soup?" he asked. "Asian in origin?" I responded none too convincing.

When he saw the wrapper on top of the garbage he stated the next time I mocked his junk food choices he would remind me I was an adult eating Top Ramen. Later that night, he gave me 12 cents. I asked what it was for and he told me so I could buy lunch the next day. I gave him change back.

However, shortly after this exchange I viewed a piece of a show on Food Network revealing the process utilized to make ramen noodles and I haven't touched it since. Doesn't mean I don't want to....

106 comments:

Amanda (Small Acorns) said...

Our equivalent to Top Ramen sounds like Maggi Instant Noodles to me - but I must fancy it up with that egg!

Hit 40 said...

I can't imagine the process to make Ramen noodles is worst than the PETA video one of the teachers shows at my school about how meat is processed and how the animals are killed.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Yeah....some things are better left unknown...like how Ramen noodles are created and why a twinkie has a shelf life of eternity!

Sarah said...

I HATE HATE HATE Ramen! Never did like it much. The egg in it does sound good though.

I like Pot Pies :) I haven't had one in probably 20 years, literally. I may have to stop and get a Boston Market one, never tried the "high end" pot pies :)

LadyFi said...

Oh yes - I lived off Instant Noodles as a student.. wouldn't touch it these days..

Amazing how junk food can taste so gooooood.... I mean, er, horrible.

Chic Mama said...

Oh I love anything, junk or not. A little of what you fancy...;0)

Lee said...

Top Ramen...hot plates in college...the good old days...

I'm Jamie said...

Your foodiness sounds right on par with my own... I tend to make most things from scratch, I tend to be pretty healthy, and I tend to drool over things that I have banned from my diet, as well as my house ;)
Cheetos? Absolutely.
Cookie dough? In a heartbeat.
Chicken Pot Pie? Yes please.
And OH! If it were my last day alive? I would eat Pop Tarts for every meal!!

P.S. When my husband got out of the hospital last month, the only thing he wanted to eat was Ramen Noodles.... It took A LOT for me to place that item on the checkout counter at the market. No lie.

Shop Girl* said...

Mmm chips. I LOVE chips. I try hard not to buy them because once I open a bag I can't stop!

I also love this meal my dad makes called Hawaiian breakfast. Even now when I think about what's in it it sounds disgusting, but it is SO good--and SO bad for me. haha

Liza said...

I bought Ramen for the first time recently. Our daughter has dance class two nights a week, the schedule gets crazy and I wanted something in the cupboard to serve her if we ran out of time for dinner before her class. She was thrilled, I was ashamed. Then on Saturday, we were both starving, the fridge was empty, and there was a package of Ramen. I don't know how they make it...and don't want to...but it tasted like noodles mixed with a reconstituted chicken boullion cube. My blood pressure probably went up about 50 points, but sad to say, it did the trick. I jazzed it up by eating the noodles with chopsticks.

TheOnlineStylist said...

Ah the wonders of rubbish food! I shouldn't admit to it but I love pork scratchings.. or pork rinds as you call them in the US I think. Disgusting I know... Other Half calls it pig fat... which it is but I do indulge on occasion-so lady like! There is a (very healthy) award for you at mine.

Queenie Jeannie said...

THANK YOU for not spoiling ramen for me. I'm in ignorant bliss. I survived college on that stuff (along with $0.25 frozen pot pies), and it's sometimes nice to have them when it's cold out. I like the Oriental flavor. I'm now curious to know how they're made and why it's so bad for you.....but again, please don't tell me, lol!

Mr. Charleston said...

There's some kind of frozen turkey tetrazzini that used to do it for me. Loved em. But then there's "real" food, like tuna fish casserole. Four ingredients all of which you can pronounce. Oh yeah.

Dan said...

Twinkies. A food stuff that has passed my by every time I have vistited the States.

Are they really that nice (and I mean nice in the bad way)

The Peach Tart said...

I can't resist a yummy grilled cheese sandwich.

Unknown said...

One of my sons ate those noodles as a staple when he first moved out on his own. I never tried them..I'm not sure why.

Potato chips are my big no no! Like Shop Girl, if I open a bag I can't stop until it's empty.

Cheese cake...totally irrresistable if it's in the house.

AnnQ said...

Now I SO want to see that Food Network episode! I saw one on how they make luncheon meat and was totally grossed out.

Molly said...

I have to admit, I make them for my kids once in a while, they call them Chinese Noodles. BTW, do you remember that urban legend that Twinkies were a black color until they bleached the cake?

Anonymous said...

I love pot pies the ones from Marie Calanders not the cheep banquet kind! Oh gee's and twinkies......I do agree top ramen is good and I always add cheese. I have a drawer in my kitchen dedicated to top ramen. We hardly eat out of it. Its an emergancy use only kind of thing. Anyways, stopping by sits. Hope your day is GREAT! I am doing a giveaway over at my blog come check it out!

courtney said...

We lived in Hawaii when I was a kid and they love Ramen there so we got really into it. My mom used to make a huge pot with like 6packages in it...it was a pretty typical Friday night dinner.

Nonflammable said...

I did a post on ramen noodles. Now I'm curious and will research until I know. I never use the msg packet, just flavour with soy.

I can eat a box of drumsticks in one sitting.

mommakin said...

Chicken Pot, Chicken Pot, Chicken Pot Piiiiiiiie! (Just me? Ok. No worries. I'll just go be over here, now, with my David Cross lovin' self...There are dozens of us. DOZENS!)

Candice said...

Good for you for eating healthy *most* of the time. As for me, let's see how is non-stop Halloween candy for healthy eating??

Your son is adorable and I love your header. Great pic of you....very stylish.

Scrappy Girl said...

I am in New Orleans right now...FOOD is not healthy here...at all! I want to marry my beignets...oh all that powdered sugar! You can see pics from NO all this week over at the farm!

Eric said...

Well, great idea there 'churching up' Top Ramen with an egg...
My current guilty pleasure is a couple of kilos of chocolate hauled back a few weeks ago from Switzerland.

mommywonderland said...

Mmmm Top Ramen! I must admit I get a random craving for the fatty package! How soup can have so many calories blows my mind :)

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

Ramen (with egg and broccoli and soy sauce) is pretty much a weekly menu item in my house. :)

Raoulysgirl said...

I love chicken pot pie...but I like to make it myself! While I could honestly go the rest of my life without Cheetos, cookie dough, and Ramen, I would give my left boob for bacon. Real bacon...not the turkey crap that I feed my family when the urge for something resembling bacon overcomes me. Thick, fat, greasy bacon. Now I want bacon. Thanks. LOL!

Tracie said...

I never got into the Ramen noodles.But chicken pot pie is a whole notha story. Yum-yum!

Unknown said...

My son would pick ramen noodles any day of the week for dinner. He just LOVES them. I myself, without even knowing how they are made, am not enthralled with them to say the least : )

Erin said...

Frozen Twinkies, I thought I was the only one!! I love them!!

Anonymous said...

I loved Pot Pies growing up. They were so fun to eat!! One of my favorite meals now is mac-n-cheese and hotdogs. I know hotdogs are not the best thing to eat, but I just love them!

- said...

I don't think we have Top Ramen here, but we have the identical Mr. Noodles. It was extremely popular at school around grade 4... Every day, everyone would bring a package. Of course, cooking it was for old people, so we would break up the noodles inside the package, then open it up, shake in the seasoning, and eat them raw. Oh, the deliciousness. Peoples' parents started buying them by the case. And then, I'm sure by grade 5, we all grew up. So long, Mr. Noodles!

Anonymous said...

Love me a chicken pot pie! From scratch or out of the freezer...i'll eat it in a minute. My million calorie, processed delight is a Hostess apple pie. The one's you get at gas stations. I inhale those. I'm disgusting.

Buckeroomama said...

Guilty secret: I still love ramen... and yes, gotta have the egg in it each time!

Will Burke said...

Last week, we got some Steak & Mushroom pies from the local Farmers Market -- Delightful! Thanks for stopping by my Blog! I'm sure that the hair-pulling story won't be the last for her "Wedding List," but it's our best contender so far!

The Four Week Vegan said...

I love ramen - I know it is the 10,000mg of sodium in it, but hot salt is soooo good. I avoid it like the plague now, but I could just taste it reading your post.

Janet said...

Someone told me that if you leave a Twinkie outside it will still be in it's original form like two years later. They never decompose. Bugs won't even eat them. I haven't tested this theory.

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

I absolutely hate Ramen, wouldn't eat it if they paid me.

Now Twinkies and cookie dough, that's a different story...

The Daily Connoisseur said...

This is such a strange coincidence. I just bought some twinkies (don't tell anyone!) because I had a very strange craving for them and hadn't had them since I was a kid! I am pleased to say that I have not eaten the whole box. I had two and then realized why it was I hadn't eaten them since I was a kid... :)

Heather said...

Top Ramen is junk food? Crap were in trouble!

This is the 2nd post I've read this morning on junk food! what is up with that? Are yall trying to tell me something...I'm not listening!

Anonymous said...

mmm, hmm, give me some smack! I have some in the pantry actually and if it weren't for the fact I made homemade chili last night I'd be pulling it out and cooking it up. Because it is so cold inside my house my fingers are numb and I could stand to hold onto something hot.

I'd bring Ding Dong's tot he table everynight. Try as I might I haven't been able to find them since we moved here. That's probably a good thing.

Anonymous said...

My guilty secrets used to be Pot Noodle and All-Day Breakfast in a tin.

Not together though - credit me with a modicum of class, please..

LucyCooper said...

Hostess Donnettes. Or Duncan Hines brownies. I would also like to add that in addition to no ill health repercussions, I'd like a no stomachache guarantee as well

Busy Bee Suz said...

My kids think Ramen noodles are the bomb. And with all that sodium in them, perhaps they are the basis for a good bomb.
I would eat Stouffers frozen mac and cheese everyday if not for the calories, preservatives and sodium. :)

McVal said...

I'm a saltaholic so all that appeals to me! In a pinch, I will pop a beef pot pie in the microwave and have it for a quick lunch. Or make some Ramen noodles. I've made the Ramen noodles into spaghetti a few times with meat, just because the noodles take so much less time cooking than normal spaghetti noodles if we're in a rush.
Don't you dare show me how they're made... I don't want to cross off a basic food group!

Anonymous said...

Hey! I used to live on Ramen noodles, I can't even smell them cooking any more without gagging a bit. LOL!

For me it is Cinnabons! I love them more than any other food on the planet. Especially if it comes from Cinnabon.

strokeofliving said...

I recently discovered how to make Top Ramen healthy[er]. First toss the favor pack in the trash-too many toxins. Boil the noodles and once soft, pour in a few table spoons of Braggs liquid Amino's, some organic sea salt and Cheyenne pepper, cilantro, parsley, minced kale, fresh minced garlic and either real(cooked) or tofu chicken [yes also minced], cover for 5 minutes and eat.

How can all of this stuff fit inside of the bowl provided? Squeeze or transfer to a bigger bowl- I've tried both techniques and they work out just fine.

Frozen Twinkies, hummm, 7eleven is open 24 hours...

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

Thanks a lot! I haven't thought about chicken pot pies for years, but I used to love them. Now I feel compelled to go buy some and add those calories to my already ample thighs!

Kristina P. said...

I bought a giant box of Marie Calendar's pot pies from Sam's CLub. SO GOOD. Seriously, they totally crisp up in the microwave with that special metal top thing.

Barbaloot said...

Oh-I do LOVE chicken pot pie. Marie Calendar's is awesome---but I also avoid buying it. Same thing with Kraft Mac and Cheese. I could make it a million times better---but that flourescent orange powder is uncomfortably appealing.

Lady Di said...

Hey, at least you wrote frozen twinkies, not FRIED twinkies. I would think that the frozen are the lesser of two evils.

The Little Miss said...

I loved this post! You made me laugh...love ur blog also

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brokenteepee said...

I have to admit to loving the Top Ramen myself. But I haven't had it in ages.

My downfall is Jax. Stale. They get so chewy....

Jen said...

You had me until the frozen Twinkie part. I was a goner after that.

Arielle said...

I can only imagine the awful things I'm putting into my body.... the awful, tasty things.

Confessions of a Mother, Lawyer & Crazy Woman said...

Chicken pot pie! Have you ever tried the Chicken Out version? Mmm, worth every single one of the 58 billion calories.

I have a good chicken pot pie story to share with you. While I am normally more of a veggie-type eater, when I was pregnant, I could not get enough meat. Ribs, burgers, hot dogs ... one evening, chicken pot pie was THE craving that could not be stopped.

Drove home from work and stopped at Chicken Out. Long day, little food. There was the option of the pot pie for one (only 30 million calories) and then the size that would feed a family of four (58 billion).

Guess which one I got? And the guy was all, Are you sure, because this will feed a family of four? And I am all, Oh! Other people are meeting me here! I'll take the family-size.

I LIED so I could order my giant pot pie without guilt. And then I ate the whole thing myself.

I cannot fathom why I gained 70 lbs during pregnancy? Must have been a gland problem.

Tracie Nall said...

I remember the first time I ever had Ramen. I was about 18 and a friend made it for me (I think it was his only culinary skill!) and it was so good!! When I moved out of my parent's house I had it a lot (can't beat the price!) I don't know how they make it....and I would like it to stay that way!

Anything that Boston Market makes is wonderfully delicious!

Excuse me while I go buy some twinkies....must try freezing them!

cat said...

Sounds like our 2 minute noodles. Sometimes you need a bit of comfort food.

JenJen said...

I've never had Ramen, but I think that frozen twinkies are the best.

You know, if you like that sort of thing.
;)

Alicia said...

i have to confess i don't like any of those!! lol...there must be something wrong with me....pizza on the other hand...well that my weakness and i surrender! i don't ask questions...i just enjoy...

linlah said...

Totinos Pizza Rolls and then I pay for them with the worst heartburn.

Jo said...

Loving your blog! Yes, Top Ramen is one of my dirty little secrets too but I STILL partake...only with cheese on top, lots of melty cheese! So bad, I know!

MommyLisa said...

When I make Top Ramen I make it with some frozen or fresh veggies - an 'asian blend', corn, beans, carrots - whatever I have on hand.

Yes, too much FAT and it is so processed...but when I have NO time it is in the back of the cupboard where it belongs.

I think I eat it three times a year.

I Wonder Wye said...

My guilty food pleasure is those Hostess cupcakes, brown with the squiggly white frosting....I just look the other way when I pass them in the grocery......

I make a mean chicken pot pie. Once I started, I have never found a frozen one I've liked as well. And it's so easy to make using Pillsbury pie dough.

HalfAsstic.com said...

OH, GAWD! Ramen noodle soup is sooooo good/bad! I dump in diced, cooked chicken, a bouillon cube or two, (like it's not salty enough), and parsley and basil flakes.
Feed the hordes that seem to descend on us from time to time.

Sabrina said...

I love all the junkie type food... although I do like to healthy! I swear!
It's Easy-Mac for me! So bad, yet sooo good!

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

Pandorah's Box said...

Anything that is bright orange in nature when it shouldn't be? Probably delicious.

But oh so bad for you.

But delicious!

Joshua said...

Can I add the qualifier that I won't have to shell out the money for it anymore? If so, I'm returning to the world of Red Bull. I have it up six weeks ago because I was going through $30 or so a week on it.

As far as Ramen goes, I have a salad that I make usually every other Sunday that has Ramen as an ingredient. Dry ramen. Like a crunchy kind of crouton.

-Joshua

FunnyGal KAT said...

My husband informed me last night that the bowl of popcorn I was eating doesn't actually constitute a meal. What?!? All I know is, when I was single and subsiding on popcorn and ice cream for dinner about four nights a week, I weighed less than I do now. Not exactly scientific, but I think we can all agree I need to go back on that diet.

Liz Mays said...

Ramen is a staple for getting through college!

But, now you've got me curious how they make it...

Ley said...

Hmm. Ramen and an egg sound incredibly good. I will have to give that a try. I've also never had a frozen twinkie.

Junk food stays out of my house in generally. I have way too many guilty pleasures.

Ley
http://overzealousley.blogspot.com/

Mrs. M said...

You can freeze Twinkies?? Who knew?? At least, I didn't. ;-)

Ela said...

So scared to eat ramen noodles but didn't know why...good to know that fear is warranted.
Cheetos and cookie dough ice cream - yums!

Anonymous said...

Just this weekend, my daughter was home from college and starving. She was explaining this fancy dish of ramen and eggs. I kept telling her how spoiled she was. I couldn't afford eggs. But now, I may try it. HMMMm.

Sultan said...

MUST HAVE FROZEN TWINKEES!!!!

Stu Pidasso said...

great stuff!! Just read the whole page and all the posts available. Funny! I'll be back, I swear!

Mira is triplet crown said...

Deep fried twinkies my friend. Deep fried. Heaven.

Anonymous said...

Hubby may be addicted to Ramen......

Frozen Twinkies?? Hmmm....must try.

chocolatecovereddaydreams.blogspot.com said...

Girl, you've got me curious. How is Top Ramen made??

If I could get by with eating something that isn't necessarily good for me, it would be a slab of bacon with some tomatoes and bread (a bt sandwich) and then some fried green tomatoes and pizza with double the cheese.

By the way, I have a killer and easy recipe for chicken pot pies. Let me know if you want it.

foxy said...

Hahahahaha... i was a sucker for top ramen once too. I don't think i ever want to see how it's made, thankyouverymuch.

Unknown said...

Okay. I have you here. Did you ever eat them dry? Break them up and sprinkle the msg packet on em and eat like chips. Too yummy for words.

Live.Love.Eat said...

Ohmagosh, we have a lot of the same taste. I would totally eat twinkies all the time if there were no repercussions. And Cheetos or Cheese Puffs. Fried Chicken & Mashed Potatoes. Fried Mushrooms and Fried Zucchini. Kit Kats. Gosh I am hungry now but I am detoxing this week. Yay for me.

Oh, I totally went through a Ramen noodle phase myself. But really, the process is nasty? Aw man..

Unknown said...

If loving Top Ramen is wrong, I don't want to be right.

I fry up some tofu in a bit of sesame oil and add it to my TR. Best. Lunch. Ever!

Anonymous said...

Please pass me the sugar bowl, and the honey!

Secretia

HeartsMakeFamilies said...

Ohhh I so want that pot pie. But I haven't touch them for years. We so like a lot of the same junk food. Its hard to avoid. I know I haven't done to well in the past few years but I'm working on it now. Good post.

Chief said...

K Jenny I so understand the Ramen thing. The frozen twinkie, take it or leave it.

THE POT PIE??? My hubs loves these too and i just don't get it! He prefers the frozen ones as well!

What abut good ole Mac N cheese in the blue box?

Unknown said...

PETA is going to come after me for this, but my guilty pleasure is mousse de foie de canard (duck liver mousse). Not the kind with pork mixed in, real duck! In my defense, they do use non-gavaged ducks, now. Oddly, other than that, I can't stand organ meats!

I don't eat packaged junk food regularly, but when I have a jones for a quick fix of chocolate, I whip up one of those little microwave chocolate cakes you make in a bowl or mug and serve it with puréed berries and cream. Or I make hot cocoa with grated chocolate, cinnamon, cayenne, and vanilla and almond extracts.

Ms. Wanda said...

Man I would love to see the process, because somehow my 21 year old college student loves the stuff and has officially introduced it to my 9 year old twins. What's worse is they nuke the stuff in the microwave and love it, yikes!!!

I have got to stop this madness!

Ana Laura E said...

Bad things are so attractive...

jules said...

I try to stick by the rule of not eating things that have "ingredients" I don't know how to pronounce too.

What is it about Little Debbie frozen treats? As a kid, I was obsessed with their brownies straight out of the freezer!

Slamdunk said...

Frozen twinkies are the best. Those Oatmeal and Creme Little Debbie cookies are superb as well.

bluzdude said...

The year after I got out of college and moved out, I got sick and my roommate made me some Ramen Noodle soup. (my first time) It was so good that morning that I ate Ramen Noodle soup for breakfast for the next 20 years. Truly the tonic for the broke young adult. I still remember the joy each time I discovered a store that carried a new flavor!

New point... you can freeze Twinkies?? What a great idea... I bet those are delicious!

tattytiara said...

Apparently it's a popular snack just to sprinkle the seasoning on the uncooked ramen noodles and eat them raw in some of the small towns up here in Alberta.

Winters are so very long here.

theUngourmet said...

I love pot pies but I'm with you...they are so bad, bad, bad for me so I almost never buy them!

Life Laugh Latte said...

I think we were separated at birth! I want all the same junk food you do. Ramen...that was mainly what hubs ate thru college. Come on by sometime...Holly at lifelaughlatte.blogspot.com

Liz in Virginia said...

Mmmm! Chicken pot pie! Stouffers, Pepperidge Farm, Marie Callender -- I love them all!

And just so you know -- Ramen is the go to meal of the Boy Scouts of America -- my son is all about it. They even fancy it up sometimes with -- get this! -- real vegetables! I posted about this on my blog a while back. Sometimes you've just got to say, "It's looking like a Ramen kind of day!"

Liz @ twenty-firstcenturyhousewife.blogspot.com

Lawyer Mom said...

So you add an egg? Interesting. Cook it first and then throw it in? Or . . .

Shanna Suburbia said...

It never crossed my mind to try a frozen Twinkie but I had a fried one at this year's county fair so it's perfect thing to get both ends of the Twinkie scale!

Ramen got me and my guy through college... he also liked those little frozen chicken pot pies got my bf through college; I didn't like them so I splurged on Totino's pizza rolls... still one of my guilty pleasures, like linlah!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I have to say that when I was preggers I consumed my weight in ramen. I don't even wanna know what you know. Ahhhhhhhh

Unknown said...

Great,,, now I am going to have to go & google how they make them...

Vodka Logic said...

Wow 103 comments I aspire to be you. And then there are those that read but didnt comment... you rock.

I love Ramen noodles. cook (lol) drain off most of the water and add 4 or 5 slices of american cheese and you have a nice sauce.. calories, who cares and salt content.. ask my cardiologist xx

Cougar Tales said...

So, will you share how it is made? Or, do I dare google it?

Printing Postcards said...

Anything instant, like that ramen, isn't really considered healthy. Sorry to hear that such a delicious food like ramen or twinky is banned at your home....
The price people pay for committing to a healthy lifestyle... LOL!

Anonymous said...

I can't even write down all the things I'd bring back...too much that I try to avoid!!