Turn A Cheap Packet Of Instant Ramen Into A Gourmet Meal | HuffPost Life

Ramen just got fancy.

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On Assignment For HuffPost

At less than one buck per package, instant ramen noodles are anything but upscale. For the unpretentious, this fact matters not. The cheap eats are a great addition to hearty soups, stir fries and recipes that call for an al dente crunch.

You've seen ramen burgers, tacos and pizza -- too-trendy specialties that, we'd argue, have gone a bit overboard. We enjoy our instant ramen dishes for their their taste, not their novelty factor. These perfectly satisfying recipes below boast tons of flavor and innovation, while still maintaing their dignity.

Let the games begin:

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Before You Go

Hot Sauce Tasting Guide

Original Tabasco Sauce(01 of17)

www.tabasco.com
Heat: 2.8 out of 5
Main ingredients: Aged red peppers, vinegar
Comments: "Chemical-like taste." "Very vinegary." "Oddly sour."
Goes well with: Tex-Mex food, eggs, pizza, seafood
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Green Tabasco Sauce(02 of17)

www.tabasco.com
Heat: 2 out of 5
Main ingredients: Jalapeno peppers, vinegar
Comments: "Fresh and vegetal." "Fresher and brighter than the original Tabasco." "Bright heat."
Goes well with: Fish, beef tacos, burritos, steak, guacamole, salsa
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Chipotle in Adobo(03 of17)

Heat: 3.5 out of 5
Main ingredients: Smoked jalapeno peppers, tomato paste, vinegar, spices
Comments: "Smoky!" "The heat really hits you in the back end." "Great balance of heat and flavor."
Goes well with: Enchilada sauces, chili, pork
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Wasabi(04 of17)

Heat: 4 out of 5
Main ingredients: Horseradish
Comments: "Strong horseradish flavor that clears the sinuses." "Overwhelmingly horseradish-y."
Goes well with: Sushi, cooked salmon
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Sriracha(05 of17)

Heat: 3.1 out of 5
Main ingredients: Chili peppers, vinegar, garlic
Comments: "Nice roasted pepper flavor." "Good Asian zip."
Goes well with: Eggs, roasted vegetables, pizza, stir-fry, bibimbap ... anything!
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Madras Curry Paste(06 of17)

Heat: 2.3 out of 5
Main ingredients: Coriander, tamarind, turmeric, chile pepper
Comments: "This would add classic Indian flavor to anything you add it to." "Many layers of spices." "Lemony and almost floral." "Delicious, but not a lot of bite."
Goes well with: Stews, chicken, curries
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Frank's Red Hot(07 of17)

www.franksredhot.com
Heat: 2.8 out of 5
Main ingredients: Aged cayenne red peppers, vinegar
Comments: "Tastes just like Buffalo wings." "Mild heat with a vinegar tang." "Salty and savory."
Goes well with: Chicken wings, creamy dips, baked beans, fries (Their motto is "I put that ____ on everything.")
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Pickapeppa(08 of17)

www.pickapeppa.com
Heat: 2 out of 5
Main ingredients: Tomatoes, onions, sugar, vinegar, mangoes, raisins, tamarinds, peppers and spices
Comments: "Surprisingly sweet." "Nice sweetness with a hint of spice." "Not so hot, but it's got a complex, sweet-sour flavor."
Goes well with: Grilled meat, barbecued chicken, roast chicken, cream cheese
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Harissa(09 of17)

Heat: 3.5 out of 5
Main ingredients: Chili peppers, serrano peppers, garlic paste, coriander, red chili powder, caraway
Comments: "Tastes like bitter spices." "Spicy with no real discernible flavor." "Pure heat." "Ouch."
Goes well with: Meat or fish stews, couscous, chickpeas, in sandwiches
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Crystal Hot Sauce(10 of17)

www.baumerfoods.com
Heat: 1.7 out of 5
Main ingredients: Cayenne peppers, vinegar
Comments: "This is like a watered-down version of Frank's Red Hot." "Weak and watery."
Goes well with: Shellfish, chicken wings
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Hot Chinese Mustard(11 of17)

Heat: 1.8 out of 5
Main ingredients: Vinegar, mustard seeds
Comments: "Not pungent, but nice heat." "Sharp flavor."
Goes well with: Egg rolls, sausage, sandwiches
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Louisiana Hot Sauce(12 of17)

www.louisianapepper.com
Heat: 2.2 out of 5
Main ingredients: Long cayenne peppers, vinegar
Comments: "Thick and peppery." "Tomatoey, but nice kick."
Goes well with: Fried seafood, po' boys, eggs, gumbo
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Jerk Sauce(13 of17)

Heat: 1.7 out of 5
Main ingredients: Cane vinegar, cane sugar, scallions, tomato paste, hot peppers, thyme
Comments: "Really nice sweetness, and not too spicy." "Overwhelming juniper flavor." "Tangy but not so hot."
Goes well with: Grilled fish, chicken
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Heinz Chili Sauce(14 of17)

www.heinzchilisauce.com
Heat: Almost undetectable
Main ingredients: Tomato puree, vinegar, onions, spice
Comments: "Little discernible difference from ketchup." "Maybe too sweet, but good chili flavor."
Goes well with: Cocktail meatballs, French fries, eggs, and it makes a good shrimp cocktail sauce base
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce(15 of17)

Heat: Almost undetectable
Main ingredients: Sugar, chili, vinegar, garlic
Comments: "Tastes like sweet and sour sauce." "Sweet and less spicy than I expected."
Goes well with: Chicken, fried fish, egg rolls, Asian dishes, fries
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Texas Pete's Hot Sauce(16 of17)

www.texaspete.com
Heat: 1.7 out of 5
Main ingredients: 3 peppers, vinegar
Comments: "Bright and fresh." "Not too much flavor, and relatively neutral heat." "Good standard heat."
Goes well with: Tortilla chips, fried chicken, chicken wings
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

Thai Red Curry Paste(17 of17)

Heat: 1.8 out of 5
Main ingredients: Red chili, garlic, onion, lemon grass, galangal, Kaffir lime peel, coriander, cumin
Comments: "Tastes more like 'spice' than 'heat.'" "Herbal." "The kick takes a few seconds to emerge."
Goes well with: Tomato sauces, stews, seafood, thai curries, stir-fries, soups
(credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)

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