Kiss the Cook: Pineapple Shrimp and Crispy Noodles

This yummy twist on an Asian noodle dish is not your college ramen. I first saw a version of a shrimp and crispy noodle recipe on Rachael Ray. Due to my garlic allergy I created a new recipe and voila —something delicious with just the right amount of spice for your family. This recipe is broken down into three basic steps: Noodle Prep, Sauce Prep, and Shrimp/Pineapple/Green Beans Prep. If you are cooking with kids remember to supervise and assist with cooking in the skillet.

Pineapple Shrimp and Crispy Noodles

Serves 4

• One 10-oz package ramen noodles
• One 20-oz can pineapple chunks (save the juice for sauce)
• One 10-oz bag frozen cut green beans (thaw and pat dry)
• One pound bag of medium or large peeled/deveined shrimp
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper
• 8 T canola oil

Noodle prep

1. Cook the ramen noodles according to package directions—you can add salt to water if you want.
2. Drain noodles.
3. Make noodle "cake" by pressing the noodles into a greased 9-inch (or larger) pan.
4. Let the noodle cake cool.
5. Heat 3 T oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
6. Carefully slide the noodle cake into skillet.
7. Cook the cake until the noodles turn a light golden brown underneath—3-5 minutes.
8. Carefully flip the cake and cook until golden brown—be careful not to burn the cake :)

Sauce prep

Stir together in a medium bowl:

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup soy sauce (the amount you use depends on your taste buds)
• drain the pineapple chunks and set aside, use approximately 1/2 cup of juice for sauce (you can increase the juice amount if you want a sweeter sauce)
• 2 T oil
• 1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper (use less if you use pepper flakes)

Shrimp, pineapple and green beans prep

1. Heat 2 T oil over medium to high heat.
2. Add the drained pineapple chunks and thawed green beans.
3. Stir and cook until the pineapple is lightly brown on edges and beans begin to brown with small blisters. Be careful not to overcook.
4. Transfer the mixture to a large plate.
5. Add 1 T of oil to skillet.
6. Add the shrimp and cook them until the meat begins to turn opaque white.
7. Stir in the sauce.
8. Add the pineapple and green bean mixture.
9. Lower the heat and cook the mixture until the shrimp are fully done—opaque .

Suggestions fo serving the meal

1. I like to divide the noodle cake into 4 sections first to make the meal easy to serve 4 people.
2. Place a cake section on each dinner plate.
3. Your family then can serve themselves the shrimp + green beans + pineapple mixture (I like to let the kids dish up their own meal because then they get exactly what they want. No more complaints :)

Image: KISS THE COOK RECIPE photos above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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