Thank you for the tip about the fat and the water. What a great heads-up for the New Year!
I only ever use 1/2 of the seasoning packet (or less!) because of the high sodium content. The seasoning is so strong that the whole packet is actually icky to me. My favorite Ramen fast and easy lunch is to add a big scoop of frozen black eyed peas from the freezer to the water when I'm heating it to a boil (honestly, I don't think canned would work as well, the frozen ones have the firmer texture). Then, I just dump the noodles in with the black eyed peas when the time comes. All cooked. Drain thoroughly, stir in 1/2 (or less to taste) of seasoning packet (Oriental flavor). Om nom nom nom nom! You can adjust the blackeyed peas to noodles ratio to suit — I tend to come out “noodles with my peas” over “peas garnishing my noodles.” LOL