Chicken + Mushroom Pot Noodle

A make-ahead jar “pot noodle” with sesame mushrooms, miso-soy seasoning, instant noodles, sweetcorn, peas, cabbage, coriander and cooked chicken—just add boiling water to serve.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Put the sesame oil, mushrooms and a pinch of salt in a small frying pan over a medium heat and sauté the mushrooms for a couple of minutes until nutty brown and any water that has been released has evaporated.

Step 2

Take 4 heatproof jars with lids (2 large jars for the adult portions and 2 medium jars for the kids’ portions). In the bottom of each large jar place the following: 1 tablespoon brown miso, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon soft brown sugar, 1 teaspoon bouillon stock powder, 1/4 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/4 teaspoon ginger paste, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon tomato purée and the juice of 1/4 lime. In each of the 2 smaller jars place the following: 1/2 tablespoon brown miso, 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce, a pinch of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon bouillon stock powder, 1/4 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/4 teaspoon ginger paste, 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon tomato purée and the juice of 1/4 lime.

Step 3

Top each adult jar with 100g of dried instant noodles and each smaller jar with 50g, breaking the noodles into smaller chunks to fit. Divide the vegetables, coriander and chicken between the jars, adding slightly less to the smaller jars and packing everything down as you go.

Step 4

When you are ready to eat your pot noodle, pour in enough freshly boiled hot water to just cover all the ingredients and quickly put the lids of the jars on. Leave the jars to sit for 4–5 minutes then shake gently to disperse the flavourings through the jar. Eat straight from the jar, using a fork and spoon, or pour the contents into a bowl if you prefer. (If serving straight from the jar for kids, make sure the jars aren’t too hot before serving.)

Step 5

You can assemble the jars ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days, adding the hot water when you’re ready to eat.