Time for Bed?

Fall is in full force in North Texas. Earlier this week I felt both chilly and lazy - definitely a night for an easy soup.

The Niece had never experimented with ramen noodles as a base for a heartier dish. I entertained her, while I cooked, with stories of gourmet college dinners prepared with ramen.

Much, much later that evening, The Boy and I headed to bed. Just before we went to sleep, The Boy said, I must not have eaten enough soup. I feel hungry.

Well, I said, it is pretty late. Maybe if we'd gone to bed by 9:30, you wouldn't feel hungry. You would have been asleep by now.

**Pause**

But I felt hungry over an hour ago. By your logic, I would have had to go to bed at 8!

Souped-Up Ramen

• 2 cups water
• 10 oz fresh snap peas
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• Package ramen noodles
• 1 cup chicken, cooked and diced

Place water, snap peas, chicken, ramen flavor packet and cilantro in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add ramen noodles and boil for an additional minute.

Alternatives:

• Use shrimp instead of chicken.
• Instead of 2 cups water, use 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 cup coconut milk. Add a dash of curry powder.