VegesAdd some nutrition to your noodles by adding some greens.

Quick-cooking veges like baby spinach, romaine lettuce, bean sprouts, thinly sliced cabbage, watercress and shallots can be added right before serving as they wilt in a matter of seconds.

Longer-cooking veges like broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, snow peas and shredded carrots can be cooked with your noodles to save time and keep from dirtying more dishes.

Frozen veges like diced carrots, peas and corn can be defrosted by running hot water onto them for 30 seconds or so and then add them straight to your noodles before serving.

Citrus juicesFeel like a brighter dish of noodles? Add a quick squeeze of lemon or lime right before serving.

Cool it downAre your noodles too spicy? Stir in a little bit of peanut butter to balance the flavours. Not too much though or it will over power the flavour.

Heat it upWant to heat up your noodles on a chilly winter day/night? Try adding some Thai curry paste, Harrisa paste or some thinly sliced chillies or peppers.

HerbsHerbs can instantly change the flavour of the otherwise boring noodles. Try a little coriander, basil or maybe even some parsley with your noodles.

SpicesTransform your once-boring bowl of noodles into a spicy extravaganza. Add some white pepper, Sichuan pepper or chilli flakes to finish the dish, or maybe try cooking the noodles in water with a cinnamon stick, star anise or coriander seeds (but remove these before you plate up).

SaucesAdd any type of sauce to change up the flavour. Maybe some good ol’ tomato, BBQ sauce, sweet chilli sauce or tabasco sauce. Feeling fishy? Try adding some fish sauce!

OilsAdd a dash of Sesame oil or Chilli oil to bring a little something extra to your noodle dish.

MeatOne thing almost all instant varieties are lacking is meat. So beef up your noodles by adding some meat. Try some fresh bacon or ham, or maybe buy a hot chook from the deli. Alternatively, try some fish cakes, shrimp, crab meat or for our vegetarian friends try some tofu.

Nuts and seedsAdd a bit of texture and nuttiness to your noodles by crushing up some almonds or peanuts, or add some sesame, sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

CheeseCheese works extremely well melted into noodles. Make a creamy chicken broth with a simple slice of cheese on top. Try some cheddar, Swiss or mozzarella cheese.

SoupAdd some more flavour by mixing in a can of soup. Try a can from off the shelf or some fresh soup from the chilled section.

Eggs Eggs are a great source of protein too! If you want to add hard boiled or soft boiled egg, put them in the pot with your noodles while they cook. If you are after a poached or fried egg with your noodles, cook them in a seperate pan and add before serving.

- U S Q F R U G A L F R I D AY S -

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