Slurping hot noodles in a rich, savory broth with all sorts of toppings makes ramen a deliciously comforting meal. Ramen is a very popular dish, especially in Japan where it is consumed regularly. It is a versatile dish with plenty of room for variation, making it ideal for fusion cooking and also highly adaptable to local tastes. Each style has its own distinct flavor, with variations in saltiness, richness and flavour. This huge variety in ramen across Japan is what makes it so great, but there are some main elements that all ramen share: soup, noodles and toppings.

It is not clear when ramen first arrived in Japan, but it is believed that it was introduced in the late 19th century when Chinese restaurants began to line the streets of major cities in Japan. The name ramen is a transcription of the Japanese word for la mian, which refers to Chinese wheat flour noodles. This is probably the time when ramen really started to distinguish itself from its Chinese counterparts, and it was around this period that chashu, bamboo shoots and green onions became common toppings.

The basic ramen recipe consists of thin, curly noodles (much thinner than those in soba or udon), broth made from pork bones and chicken stock, pork fat, dried bonito flakes and katsuobushi (dried fish shavings). A variety of seasonings is added to the soup including soy sauce, garlic, ginger, pickled takana mustard with chili, sesame seeds, ground black pepper and the shredded seaweed kombu. Many restaurants will add scallions, wood ear mushrooms, white sesame, and minced pork to the base of their ramen, and it is very common to garnish each bowl with a soft boiled egg.

As with most Japanese dishes, ramen has a multitude of different toppings which can make or break it. One of the most important, though, is the tare sauce, which is a blend of soy sauce, mirin and other ingredients. The tare is what gives each ramen its unique flavor, and it is the part of the dish that most people notice when they taste a particular bowl of ramen.

Aside from the tare, the other key ingredient is the broth. The broth can be cloudy or clear, thick or light, and it is often seasoned with salt, shoyu or miso paste. There are so many different combinations of tare and broth, that it is possible to create endless varieties of ramen.

For an easy-to-make home version of this tasty and comforting dish, prepare the ramen according to package instructions, but leave out the flavor packet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add noodles and cook for three minutes, or until they are al dente. To serve, pour into a bowl, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and the sliced vegetables. If desired, a splash of hot chili oil can be drizzled over the top to add extra spice. If you can’t find doubanjiang, Korean chilli paste is a good substitute and it adds a very similar flavour.

Five years ago, a little-known game called fortnite exploded into a global phenomenon. It became a fixture on game consoles, computers, tablets and phones, a favorite with professional video gamers, and launched some players into new stratospheres of celebrity. The game’s fun gameplay, accessibility and pop culture ubiquity have made it a cultural force that has touched many aspects of life.

The game’s popularity has drawn ire from some parents, who say it distracts their children and is addictive. But others have embraced it as a wholesome social activity that brings people together from all over the world in virtual communities. For some children, fortnite has become a place to build social skills and even find friendships.

Fortnite is a free-to-play multiplayer video game developed by Epic Games. Its most popular mode, called Battle Royale, pits 100 players (individually or in teams of two to four) against each other in an online fight to be the last person standing. It also offers a single-player or co-operative mode, and a separate Creative mode that allows players to build their own in-game environment.

The wildly popular Battle Royale mode in fortnite is rated T for teens by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). Though it depicts violence and guns, there’s no blood or gore and the game’s cartoonish style appeals to younger players. The game is available on most platforms and doesn’t require any in-game purchases.

Like other online multiplayer games, fortnite has unmoderated chat functionality that allows players to communicate with each other. That can put kids at risk of bullying, extremism and other harmful content. In addition to the chat function, Fortnite also includes a “loot box” system in which players can purchase virtual items with real money.

A recent study found that among children and teenagers, fortnite was the most played game on social media platforms. And it’s a favorite of celebrities, who have teamed up with regular players for special events in the game.

It’s a game that’s here to stay, and its popularity is unlikely to diminish any time soon. But it is a good idea for parents to take stock of how much their children are playing, and what they might be learning from other players.

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Ramen (, rmn) is a Japanese noodle dish consisting of Chinese-style wheat noodles in a broth with various toppings such as chashu, menma, nori, and scallions. The soup base is made with a variety of ingredients, such as chicken, beef, pork, seafood or vegetable stock. There are many different variations of ramen, reflecting regional tastes and cooking methods. The broth can also be enriched with various seasonings, such as salt, soy sauce, miso paste or gochujang. The toppings can also be varied to suit personal preferences, such as shredded or minced pork, egg, bamboo shoots, fish cakes, mushrooms and more. There are also countless ways to serve ramen, depending on the type of noodles, ingredients, soup base and serving style.

In Japan, ramen is popular as both a takeaway and eat-in food. It is served in specialized restaurants and at market stalls called yatai. The origin of ramen is unknown, but it was probably introduced to Japan in 1910 by a restaurateur Kanichi Ozaki who invited 12 chefs from Yokohama’s Chinatown to his restaurant. The popularity of ramen increased after World War II when many people who had lived in China returned to Japan. They brought with them their culinary skills and began selling ramen in their neighborhood.

Most recipes for ramen include both ginger and sesame seeds. Sesame oil is used to make the broth nuttier and richer and to add a savory aroma. The amount of sesame used is often a matter of preference; 1 teaspoon is the average in most ramen recipes, but some prefer more.

The broth is typically simmered on a medium to high heat, allowing the flavors to develop and deepen. In addition, the spices are toasted to impart flavor and aroma. For example, the garlic is roasted in a pan before being added to the pot. The roasted garlic is then peeled, crushed or chopped and tossed with the other spices and aromatics. The result is a mixture that is fragrant, complex and delicious.

Once the broth is ready, the noodles are stirred in and cooked until al dente, which usually takes about 3 minutes, or according to the package instructions. Toppings can be added at this point, such as a soft-boiled egg, shredded or diced green onion and toasted sesame seeds. Adding a few drops of chili oil or soy sauce is a nice touch.

Ramen can be served with chopsticks or a spoon, and it is customary to make loud slurping noises while eating the noodles and drinking the broth. It is also customary to use condiments such as sriracha, chili crisp, oyster sauce or hoisin sauce to customize the ramen to one’s liking. Some people also like to sprinkle with furikake, a mixture of dried seaweed and spices that is often used to season Japanese dishes.

A cupcake is a little cake that is topped with frosting and/or other decorations. It’s usually made to be eaten by one person, and it can be very delicious! It is also very easy to make. There are lots of different types of cupcakes, and some people even have their own special recipes that they use.

A popular cupcake is a chocolate one, and it’s usually shaped like a small chocolate bar. This type of cupcake has a delicious ganache frosting on top. It is very rich and decadent, and it’s perfect for someone who wants a little bit of a treat. A cupcake with a cookie dough filling is another great option. It’s usually a little more creative than just a regular old chocolate chip cookie, and it has the added bonus of being a little bit healthier too.

Almost any kind of cake can be turned into a cupcake, although some sponge cakes and tortes might not turn out as well. It’s usually best to follow the recipe closely, and be careful not to overbeat the batter. Overbeating can cause the cupcakes to become dense instead of light and fluffy.

The first step in making a cupcake is to measure out the ingredients. Next, mix all the ingredients together until they are well blended. Then, pour the batter into a cupcake pan that has been lined with paper liners or greased. The cupcakes are then baked for the amount of time specified in the recipe. Once they are done, they are cooled for a few minutes in the pan before being removed and frosted or decorated.

Cupcakes are often decorated with colorful sprinkles and other garnishes. They can also be topped with a cherry or other fruit to add an extra pop of color and flavor. Some people even make their own special frosting and other decorations to give each cupcake a unique look and taste.

In the past, cupcakes were only made for special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. However, they are now commonly served in coffee shops and restaurants. They are also often sold in stores with other bakery items. People often serve them to their friends and family members as a way to show them how much they care.

Some people even refer to themselves as being “cupcake in love.” This means that they are completely infatuated with something and can’t stand to be without it. They are very superficial and arrogant when they are cupcake in love, and they are willing to do anything to get what they want. Some people find this type of behavior annoying, but others think that it’s a cute way to show affection.

Fortnite is one of the most popular — and hotly debated — games among young people. It’s a free-to-play game, available on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PCs, Macs and iOS devices. Players work together to survive in an open-world game, battling computer-generated zombielike opponents or other human players. It’s also a massive social media phenomenon, with influencers attracting millions of followers by playing the game and sharing tutorials on how to achieve the best scores.

The most popular mode of fortnite is called Battle Royale, in which up to 99 other players drop into a map and then fight each other to be the last player standing within an ever-shrinking battle area. It’s a mix of action and construction gameplay, with players picking up weapons and items as they make their way to the center of the map. The resulting showdowns can be intense and violent, though the depictions of guns and violence are cartoon-like and there’s no blood or gore. The popularity of fortnite has drawn complaints from parents and educators who say that the game is addictive and has led to mental health problems. It’s also a platform for peer-to-peer bullying and toxicity, with children being exposed to traumatizing content on the game’s voice chat function. In late 2022, Epic Games responded by introducing Cabined Accounts, which offer a separate gaming experience with default settings designed to protect younger players from negative interactions.

Other game modes of fortnite are more creative-focused. In Creative, for instance, players can create their own sandbox islands to play on with up to 15 other friends. They can also stage game competitions, such as race courses and platforming challenges. The developers of fortnite are constantly tweaking and adding features to the game, including new weapons, game modes and story elements. They’ve even branched out into collaborations and cross-media tie-ins (like an in-game battle with Thanos, the villain of the latest Avengers movie).

Like many multiplayer video games, fortnite has become a social hub, where kids can communicate with other players using voice chat or text. Parents can set limits on their children’s screen time to help them avoid excessively playing the game. They should also talk to their kids about online safety and how to be a good digital citizen.

The creator of fortnite, Epic Games, specializes in “games-as-a-service,” a model that encourages players to keep coming back by regularly updating and introducing new features to the game. It’s important for parents to remember that these changes can make it difficult for older gamers to get a handle on how much their kids are playing the game.

The cupcake is a beloved dessert that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. These individual-sized treats are easy to customize with different frosting, sprinkles, flavor mix-ins and even cake-mix variations. They can also be baked up quickly, making them ideal for birthdays, bake sales, showers and weeknight dinners.

The first step in making a great cupcake is ensuring the recipe yields moist and tender results. Adding an extra egg can help achieve this, as can swapping out the milk for buttermilk or sour cream. Using a sifted flour helps create lighter, fluffier cakes as well.

While it’s tempting to use store-bought frosting, homemade frosting is a great way to add a personal touch to any cupcake. You can try a basic buttercream frosting or experiment with a more complex whipped frosting. Garnishes like sprinkles, chocolate shavings, candy or fresh fruit are a great finishing touch.

When it comes to a perfect cupcake, the icing is just as important as the batter. A smooth, creamy frosting can bring together all the flavors and textures of a delicious treat. If you’re looking to take your icing game up a notch, consider trying out a swirled technique. Place a large dollop of frosting on the center of a cupcake, then gently drag an offset spatula from the center to the edge, creating a pretty spiral pattern.

Homemade cupcakes can be finicky to bake, so it’s important to follow a good baking recipe and use the right tools. Using paper liners will help the cupcakes release from the pan more easily, and applying a light coating of cooking spray or wiping cooking oil on the pan will provide an added layer of non-stick protection. It’s also helpful to use a high-quality cupcake pan that has straight, shallow sides, rather than angled ones.

Another essential tip is to check the cupcakes before removing them from the oven. A well-baked cupcake will spring back when lightly touched, and a toothpick should come out clean. If the utensil still has wet batter on it, it’s best to give the cupcakes a few more minutes in the oven.

Once the cupcakes are cool, they can be garnished with a few more toppings or plated and served for a sweet ending to a meal. Cupcakes can be topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, drizzled with melted chocolate or covered in a thick layer of colorful frosting. They can also be filled with a variety of fillings, including fruit, pastry cream and frosting.

While some people prefer whole cakes, a cupcake is an excellent option when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to commit to a full-sized confection. And, with hundreds of possible combinations for the cake, filling and frosting, it’s easy to find a flavor combination that will please everyone.

A steaming bowl of slurping noodles in a rich, fragrant broth topped with savory and healthy toppings is one of life’s simple pleasures. Whether it’s for lunch or dinner, ramen is a satisfying and comforting meal. While ramen originated in China, it was popularized in Japan when the country began welcoming traders and travelers from all over the world in the 19th century. Ramen soon became a staple dish for the working class as it offered a hearty and nutritious meal at an affordable price.

Ramen is an extremely versatile dish, and its many different varieties can be found in every region of the country. From Sapporo’s famed miso ramen to Hakata’s magical milky pork bone Tonkotsu, each style takes the humble noodles to a whole new level of satisfaction.

The most important ingredient in ramen is the broth, which is called tare in Japanese. The tare is not just salt or soy sauce, but a secret blend of ingredients like sake and vinegar, spices, garlic and oils that can create a myriad of unique flavors. The tare is usually added to the noodles and the soup base at 1 part tare to 10 parts broth or soup.

While tare is a common base for all ramen, the toppings that adorn a bowl of ramen vary from region to region. Negi (green onions) is a popular topping that adds a fresh and crisp flavor to the noodle soup. Menma (fermented bamboo shoots) is another common noodle soup topping that provides a nutty and earthy taste. Chashu (marinated and barbequed pork belly) is another popular ramen topping that adds richness to the dish.

Boiled eggs are another ramen topping that adds creaminess to the noodle soup. Normally, the eggs are soft-boiled and marinated in mirin and soy sauce to make them even tastier.

Aside from noodles and broth, ramen also comes with a long list of other additions and toppings. These can include everything from the aforementioned egg, pork and other meats, vegetables, seafood, mushrooms and seaweed to flavored oil and condiments.

There is no single recipe for ramen, but the most popular versions come in four main types. Shio ramen, which is light in color and is flavored with salt, is the oldest of these four styles. Shoyu ramen is flavored with soy sauce and is lighter in texture than shio ramen. Miso ramen is flavored with miso and can be either light or thick. Finally, tonkotsu ramen is the richest of these flavors and comes from simmering pork bones. This ramen is often thick and almost soupy. While these four major variations are the most popular, each region of the country offers its own special spin on this humble noodle soup. It would take a lifetime to experience all of the different regional flavors and combinations that make up this versatile and delicious Japanese cuisine.

Five years ago, fortnite debuted for millions of people across the globe, becoming one of gaming’s biggest titles and catapulting some of its top players into new stratospheres of celebrity. It remains popular and lucrative for Epic Games, generating billions of dollars from in-game microtransactions and rewards that help pay for weekly updates. But it’s also reshaping the internet, creating new modes of play and redefining what video games can be.

Fortnite is a free-to-play multiplayer game that’s available on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Mac and iOS devices. It’s a sandbox shooter with scenes of mild violence and cartoonlike graphics. The game is rated for teenagers by PEGI, the European ratings agency, but its huge social media following and merchandising have attracted kids much younger than that, and it has become a fixture of adolescent and college-age social life, where it’s especially popular among professional video game streamers with large audiences.

For the uninitiated, fortnite is a multiplayer game that pits up to 100 players against each other in an ever-decreasing battle arena. Players can compete individually or as teams of two or four, and the last player standing wins. It’s a thrilling, addictive experience that can take up hours of a young person’s day. But it’s also a massive platform for adolescent and teen socialization, and the game’s unmoderated chat function means that many children are exposed to inappropriate language, bullying or extremism from other players.

In addition to the main game mode, fortnite has a Creative Mode and a separate paid game called Save the World. Save the World has a similar style to Battle Royale, but with missions and an overarching narrative that requires players to fight off computer-generated zombie-like opponents. The game monetizes through V-Bucks, an in-game currency that can be purchased with real money or earned by completing missions and other achievements in Save the World.

Both of these modes are updated on a weekly basis, which is a testament to the success of Epic Games’ vision of video games as a service, constantly changing and adapting to what the audience wants. It also helps that the game has a relatively light touch, lacking the misogyny and racism that sometimes taint other gaming communities.

Fortnite has a new game mode every week, and it even incorporates pop culture events, such as a crossover with the indestructible villain Thanos from the Avengers movies. Its ability to evolve with its audience gives it a model that other ongoing video games are now aspiring to. The broader appeal of the fortnite universe, which is a safe haven from the troubles of the real world, may even be what ultimately makes it so addictive and hard to quit.

Whether you’re craving a bowl of slurp-worthy ramen in the middle of winter or just love the comforting and hearty taste, you can make a delicious home-made version in less than 30 minutes. The noodle soup is easy to prepare and the toppings are customizable to your preferences, from the type of meat (grilled chicken, pork or beef) to the amount of spicy seasonings and noodles thickness.

When making a homemade ramen, you’ll also need to have some specific ingredients on hand to create the broth and season the noodles. The best broth is made using dashi, which is typically made with kelp, bonito flakes and dried shiitake mushrooms. The inocine acid extracted from the kelp and glutamic acid from the shiitake mushrooms gives the broth its umami flavor, which is key to any good ramen.

You can purchase kombu, shiitake and bonito flakes in the international aisle of most grocery stores. To make dashi, simply combine all of the ingredients in a large jar, cover with water and let soak overnight. When ready to use, strain the liquid and keep the dashi on hand for your ramen broth.

Many ramen restaurants in Japan have small rows of stools with partitions between each seat, so customers can enjoy their noodle bowls in privacy. This is a reflection of the value of privacy in Japanese culture and a way to prevent people from seeing each other while enjoying their meal. Some ramen shops have open kitchens so customers can see their food being prepared right in front of them, while others have hidden kitchens where diners don’t interact with staff until they receive their food.

Ramen’s Chinese roots can be traced back to the 1910s when Japanese restaurateur Kanichi Ozaki opened a restaurant in Asakusa, Tokyo with 12 chefs from Yokohama’s Chinatown. Ozaki’s ramen was a big hit and became popular across the country. As Yokohama and other Japanese ports were opened to the world during the Meiji period (1868-1912), Chinese foods became more prevalent and noodle dishes like ramen became a staple in Japan.

The slurping of ramen in Japan is important for three reasons: it cools the broth, allows the diner to fully taste the flavors of the noodles and soup and shows that the food is enjoyed. Slurping also helps to protect the teeth and prevent food from sticking together.

When you’re slurping your ramen in Japan, don’t forget to add some extra garnishes! Spicy condiments like tobiko, sriracha and chili oil, scallions, pickled ginger or sliced radishes can add the perfect finish to your bowl of noodle soup. For a healthy twist on traditional ramen, try adding some grilled chicken or sauteed mushrooms for a satisfying vegetarian option.

Cupcake, as the word implies, is a small cake designed to serve one person that may be topped with frosting and other cake decorations such as fruit and candy. It is a variant of the larger bundt or layer cakes. The cupcake is popular due to its portability and relative ease of preparation and serving. They are also easier to make than a larger, more complex cake. They can be made in a variety of styles including frosted, filled, or even savory.

In fact, cupcakes have become so popular that they are a staple dessert at many restaurants and are even available in some stores. They are also an easy and delicious addition to any meal, whether it is a light lemon meringue cupcake at brunch or a rich chocolate brownie for dessert after dinner. And of course, there is no better way to celebrate a special occasion than with a birthday-themed cupcake!

The cupcake is a global phenomenon that started in 1828 with an ingenious recipe by an American woman named Eliza Leslie. Her cookbook Seventy-Five Receipts for Pastry, Cakes, and Sweetmeats introduced the world to the simple, yet satisfying, treat. Since then, bakers and eaters alike have come up with countless ways to take this little cake to the next level.

To achieve the perfect cupcake, it is important to use quality ingredients and follow the instructions of the recipe exactly. Adding a single egg yolk to the batter can create slightly chewy, ultra-moist, and rich cupcakes that stand up well to thick and generous amounts of frosting. Likewise, substituting the milk with buttermilk or sour cream can enhance the flavor of the cupcake while increasing the moisture content.

After removing the cupcakes from the oven, it is essential to allow them to cool completely before frosting. To ensure that the cakes are sufficiently cooled, it is recommended to keep them in their pans for a few minutes before gently lifting them out with a spoon or spatula. Once the cupcakes are fully cooled, they can be frosted or otherwise garnished to suit their occasion.

To frost a cupcake, start with a generous dollop of icing in the center and spread towards the edges using an offset spatula. If desired, a pastry bag fitted with a #6 star tip can be used to pipe swirls of frosting on top. Alternatively, a spoon or the back of a spatula can be used to achieve similar results.

Garnishings are a great way to add a finishing touch to your cupcakes and can be anything from the traditional (like sprinkles or chopped chocolate) to the outlandish (think bacon or graham cracker). Once the cupcakes are decorated, they can be enjoyed immediately or stored in an airtight container for up to three days.

Think about it: How often have you made a huge cake for a gathering and ended up with leftovers that nobody seemed to like? Then there are those times when you really want a special treat, but don’t have the time or space to commit to a whole cake. That’s where the cupcake comes in — it’s everything you love about cake in a portable package that’s just right for one.