Having a career in tech doesn't leave me a lot of time to cook, but I do revel in the moments that I get to bring lunch to the office. While anyone can add hot water to a cup noodle ramen, or go to a ramen restaurant where the chefs spend days making perfect tonkotsu; I found the best of both worlds.
Back in April, my roommate Jeff got me a Benton's smoked ham leg for my birthday. I was thrilled! What I didn't know about it is that you have to peel away the tough, salty and inedible skin. The instructions say to bring the leg to a butcher and ask them to slice it. I'm really stubborn and always say "I CAN DO IT MYSELF." Let me tell you, it's really hard without a machine. Now, I know not everyone will have access to a whole ham leg, but in case you do, then I implore you to try this broth.
| You'll need: | |
|
1 pound of Benton's ham skin* *feel free to substitute salt pork or even bacon |
1 handful of bonito flakes or 3 chopped anchovies Water to fill a slow cooker |
Place the ham skin in a slow cooker and fill with water. Cook on low for 8 hours or overnight. Discard the ham. Stir in the fish and store in the fridge for 8 to 12 hours. Strain the broth and taste for saltiness. Dilute with as much water as needed. It might congeal and that is normal, it will liquify when heated again.
How do you enjoy this at the office with only a microwave?
| You'll need: | |
| 1 sous vide egg, cooked at 140F* 1 cup of Hot Ham Water Dashi 2 garlic chives, chopped 1 pack of dry ramen noodles *Or a soft boiled egg |
Broccoli flowers or any microgreen 1 spring onion, sliced into rings 1 slice of Benton's ham, fried & sliced into strips Crispy onions Water to dilute, if needed |
Transport the broth in a leakproof container or jar. Pre-boil store-bought ramen noodles at home and drain. Bring them in a separate container. Roll up all the other ingredients in a bundle of parchment paper wrapped in plastic wrap, careful to fold the paper over where you want to separate the crispy from the moist herbs.
At the office, fill a mug with water and microwave it for 2 minutes. Take it out of the microwave and plop the egg into the water. This will warm it up without cooking it. Put the broth in a bowl and heat it up for three minutes. Put the noodles in the broth and let stand for a minute. Dress the bowl with ham, greens and onion. When you're ready to eat, crack the egg into it and pop that glorious yolk. The office will moan in unison.
Do you have any office lunch hacks? I want to know. Tweet me @Randwiches.
