Commissary Kitchen · 002 / 100 · Spreads & Ramen
Chi-Chi with Cheese Curls
About 15 minutes, estimated · 2 portions · Hot water
Documented technique; original recipe adaptation
Cheese curls do two jobs here. Some soften into the sauce while the rest finish the bowl with a loud crunch. The small amount of mustard cuts through the richness without making the noodles taste like a sandwich.
Place & evidence: Across the country. The source documents this food family or technique. The quantities and method here are original adaptations; the source writer has not endorsed this recipe. Prison Food.
Make it
Equipment: Heat-safe bowl or mug; clean spoon; measuring cup and spoons; safe hot-water source. Use the cooking equipment required by the product label.
Ingredients
- 2 packages instant ramen, 3 oz each
- 3 cups boiling water
- 1 cup cheese curls, divided
- 2 oz fully cooked beef snack sticks, chopped
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle brine
- 1/4 of one ramen seasoning packet
Method
- Prepare the ramen by its package method, then reserve 1/3 cup cooking liquid before draining. Set aside half the measured cheese curls for the topping.
- Crush the other half finely in a bowl. Stir in the reserved liquid, mustard, pickle brine and the quarter-packet of seasoning. Let stand briefly, then stir again to break up softened clumps.
- Fold the sauce and chopped fully cooked snack sticks through the noodles. Rest 1 minute; if needed, use a spoon to loosen sauce caught between noodle clumps.
- Divide into two bowls. Break the reserved curls into bite-size pieces and add them just before serving.
The useful detail
If it clumps, loosen with hot water before adding more seasoning.
When the store is different
Corn chips plus 2 tbsp cheese sauce replace cheese curls.
Serving & handling
Prepare starches fresh and follow package cooking directions. Serve promptly; hydrated grains and mixed meals require proper handling. Read the pantry and food-handling guide for storage limits, package directions and allergen checks.
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Sources & editorial note
WHYY staff; segment produced by Monica Rogozinski — Prison Food, WHYY. Public-media food reporting and video. Source scope and limits.
The recipe wording and formulation are original editorial work prepared with AI assistance. Source narratives and photographs have not been reproduced. Any chapter artwork is AI-generated and illustrates a food family; the recipe card follows this article’s current instructions.