I somehow missed the Ramen Cheeseburger craze. I guess it was right up there with the Cronut in 2013.

Better late than never, as they say.

These Ramen Cheeseburgers are just plain crazy.

Crazy good.

Crazy fun.

Ramen noodles are molded into “buns” then briefly pan fried until they are crisp outside, but still soft enough not to break up when you bite into them. The noodle buns are then filled with cheeseburgers that use the ramen spice packet for flavoring (what a great idea!) a sriracha mayo and some lettuce and tomato.

Very impressive and very delicious. My husband thought the burgers would work just as well as an open faced sandwich using just one ramen bun on the bottom. Then you could dig in with a knife and fork. Either way, I say this is a winner of a recipe.

Ramen Cheeseburgers

Ingredients:

2 (3 ounce) packages instant ramen noodles (reserve flavor packets)
1 egg
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
3/4 pound ground beef
1/2 tablespoon plus 1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 slices American cheese
2 slices tomato
2 leaves butter lettuce

Directions:

1. Line 4 (four-inch) ramekins with plastic wrap, leaving 4 inches of overhang.

2. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling water, according to the package directions. Drain; rinse noodles under cold water.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg. Add the noodles and toss to coat.

4. Divide noodle mixture among the ramekins. Fold the plastic over the noodles and press to compact. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.

5. In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sriracha and sesame oil.

6. In another bowl, combine the beef and the flavor packet. Form the beef into 2 (four-inch) patties.

7. In a large skillet, heat 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high. Add the beef patties and cook, turning once, about 8 minutes for medium. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of cheese and cover until the cheese melts.

8. Transfer the patties to a plate. Wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining 1/4 cup vegetable oil and heat over medium-high. Unwrap the ramen buns and cook, turning once, until browned and crisp, 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.

9. Build burgers using ramen “buns”, cheeseburgers, tomatoes, lettuce and sriracha mayo.

Serves 2 (doubles easily)

Recipe from Every Day With Rachael Ray Magazine

Here’s some new psychedelic-style pop from London area duo Yoofs. It has got a little guitar solo at the end worthy of a lighter in the air.

Check out Yoofs on Facebook. They are offering most of their songs as free downloads on Soundcloud. You can buy ‘Can’t Think’ here.

Cheers!