Another so-so dinner, capped by a much more enjoyable dessert. Or two.

Do you sometimes have a craving for something but perhaps can’t get to it for days? For me, that craving has been ramen noodles. The good old-fashioned kind that my dad used to make many a Saturday or Sunday lunch growing up (it was either ramen or fried rice). A week or more ago Rick in the vanpool mentioned something about ramen noodles. Something about feeding it to his kids on a regular basis. I had to remind him that, actually, ramen noodles aren’t really good for you (fried, probably more than once. How else do you suppose you’re able to cook it in under three minutes?). Since that day (a week or longer ago), I’ve been thinking about ramen noodles.

I love ramen, but I don’t eat it on a regular basis. I used to. Used to always have a few packages around the house. But the fried-ness, and my attempt to stay healthy (disregard for a moment the numerous posts I’ve done on cookies). Maybe once every few months. Maybe.

I’m very particular about my ramen. Manchurian? No, thanks. Top Ramen? Uh-uh. There are only certain kinds that I’ll purchase. I don’t know the name brands (one might be “Nissan”). Just the packaging, because usually they are in an Asian language. Lucky for me, the QFC carries the brands I want. Unlucky for me, I was standing in the Market, and all they had was Manchurian and Top Ramen. Huh? The Market? The one with the ridiculously pricey cookies from Italy? Expensive fig bread from Spain? Highfalutin everything? Nope. Couldn’t be bothered with a $0.59 package of ramen.

So the alternative was going home and making soba noodles from the pantry. Decent, but not the same. You know how you’re craving something…the alternative, no matter what it is, is never as good. You taste it hoping for one thing and it’s just not it.

BTW, I make REALLY good ramen noodles. I know, it’s nothing fancy, but if you’re going to do it you’ve got to do it right. Maybe it’s an Asian thing, but there is WAY more to ramen noodles than the silver packet of ‘spices’ that it comes with. I’ll take a trip to the Asian market this weekend to pick some up, and will post my special recipe then.

Anyway, on to dessert. This morning, at PCC, I picked up another packet of Ambrosetti cookies. They didn’t have the Occhi type that I was ga-ga over last week. They did carry the “Luna di Miele”, a biscotti-like cookie half dipped in yummy chocolate. Same flavors as the Occhi. Less chocolate, but nevertheless, delicious.

I had just finished taking photos of this cookie (not a great pic; why is it so hard to take a photo of a cookie?) when the husband returned home. He had stopped at Whole Foods and surprised me with my favorite, the Whole Foods mini-apple pie. I don’t know if they make it on the premise or get some generic company to bake them, but I love these little apple pies. The lattice topping is delicate, the filling more sweet than tart, the portion just right for two people (or one, if you are feeling selfish).

Anyway. I figured, with the disapointing noodle dinner, on top of having gone to the gym AND practice today, today was all right to have two desserts. So be it.