During the 45 days of January, I discovered how to make fast and delicious meals, with the cost factor being considered in each meal. Dining out was cut down to just a few times every other week, with restaurant meals being used as inspiration to try and recreate them at home and at a cheaper cost as well.

I would discover that one of the easiest and fastest meals to make is instant noodles. But after eating it as is a few times, the rabbit hole that is the Internet taught me that there are several ways to make noodles interesting, and more nutritious.

Moreover, depending on how you make them and what you pair them with, they can be eaten at any time of day, either as a snack or a main meal. For a savoury breakfast, noodles with a side of egg sunny side up and steamed broccoli can be a delicious feast that fills the rest of your day with energy and good vibes. Noodles stewed together with chunky pieces of chicken can be great for lunch, while vegetable noodles can be ideal for a light dinner.

There are plenty of ways you can prepare fun and delicious meals with noodles and with minimal cooking time as well. Here are four recipes to start you off on your journey. Happy cooking.

BREAKFAST NOODLES

Ingredients

1 pack of noodles

1 chopped onion

Chopped broccoli or any vegetables of the day

Frying oil

Seasoning

1 egg

Method

-Boil the pack of noodles till they are cooked and strain.

-In a pan, fry the egg and put it away for plating.

-In the same pan, put the onions and some frying oil. Cook until the onions turn brown. Add the vegetables and cook till ready.

-Now, add in the noodles and toss everything together till warmed through. Add some seasoning and then remove from heat.

-Plate the dish then put the egg on top of the noodles.

Breakfast is served.

VEGETABLE NOODLES

Ingredients

1 capsicum chopped

2 carrots chopped

¼ cabbage chopped

4 garlic cloves, mashed

1 onion chopped

1 packet of noodles

Cooking oil

Seasoning

1 spring onion chopped for garnish

Method

-Boil the noodles till al dente. Remove them from the hot water and put them in a strainer.

-Pour some cold water on them to make sure they do not stick together and become lumpy.

-Place a frying pan overheat and put in some cooking oil. Add the garlic and onion and cook till the garlic becomes fragrant.

-Add all the other vegetables and let cook for some time.

-Finally, add the noodles to the pan and season to your liking.

-Garnish with spring onion and remove from heat.

Serve.

CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM STIR-FRIED NOODLES

Ingredients

400g chicken strips

1 pack of noodles, precooked

1 cup diced mushrooms

Soy sauce

Some broth or white wine

1 spring onion, diced

Salt and seasoning

Cooking oil

Method

-In a pan over medium heat, cook the chicken strips in some cooking oil on each side until they are seared.

-Add some broth or white wine and cover till they are cooked through.

-When they are ready, add the pre-cooked noodles, spring onions, the diced mushrooms, some soy sauce for taste and salt. Stir everything together and cook for a while. You can add other seasonings like white pepper and red pepper if you like.

-Serve and enjoy.

Note that you can switch the chicken with beef or even pork to make a completely different but still sumptuous noodles dish.

NOODLES SALAD

Ingredients

1 pack of precooked noodles

5 cherry tomatoes, halved

1 avocado, diced

Lettuce, well washed

Seasoning

Salad dressing of choice

Method

-Layer your salad serving bowl with lettuce leaves, then put the precooked noodles atop the lettuce.

-Arrange the avocado slices and cherry tomato pieces on the noodles then season to your liking.

-Drizzle your salad dressing of choice on top if you have some and then serve.

Enjoy.