Cooking 101 ­ Simple is savory when concerning oodles of noodles

After move-in weekend I would be very surprised to find a single packet of Ramen Noodles still at Wal-Mart.

This simple, sodium-filled noodle soup has been a staple for college students since its U.S. debut in 1970.

Long before satisfying hunger in the states, Ramen also filled bellies in countries like China and Japan, according to Ron Konzak, author of "The Book of Ramen."

Although the average price of a Ramen packet only is 12 cents, the noodles are a staggering $10 billion a year industry, according to Konzak. The world consumes so much Ramen each year that if one were to lay each noodle end to end they would reach as far as the moon.

Ramen is favored for its ease and simplicity, but other ingredients can be added to make a more nutritious or hearty meal.

These ingredients may already be around the house, and may only call for minimum preparation time. The next time you are in a rush for a meal, simply add a few more items into the pot of Ramen and be stunned to find a pleasant meal you created all by yourself with minimal hassle.

For more Ramen recipes and ideas visit http://mattfischer.com/ramen/recipe.html.