Pot Noodles are like Marmite, love them or hate them. I love the idea of a simple, hot lunch that you can take to work but don’t love the idea of preservatives, artificial flavourings or some of the processing that the ingredients have to go through.

So let’s make our own! And let’s call them Jar New-dles (see what we did there??)

Use either a Mason Jar, a Kilner Jar or a jar that you know will take boiling water safely.

Jar Ingredients

1 nest of dried noodles

1 handful of cashews (you could use shredded cooked chicken or cooked prawns)

Half handful of bean sprouts

1 handful of mixed vegetables, chopped into small pieces or thinly sliced (I used cabbage, carrots, sliced sugar snap peas)

1/2 spring onion, sliced

1tsp fresh or dried coriander

Sauce

1/2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

1/2 tbsp tahini

1tsp miso paste

1tbsp dark soy sauce

Seasoning

Topping (optional)

Chopped salted peanuts

Sesame seeds

Cook the noodles according to the pack instructions. While they’re cooking mix together the ingredients for the sauce and put to one side.

Place the noodles in the bottom of the jar and top with the sauce. Leave to cool thoroughly.

Next add your protein; cashews or cooked chicken or cooked prawns (make sure that if you’re using meat that it is thoroughly cooked)

Top with beansprouts, the vegetables, the spring onion and lastly the coriander. Put the lid on and keep chilled until you’re ready for your lunch.

At lunchtime………. boil the kettle and add hot water to the jar until the vegetables are just covered. Balance the lid on the top (to keep the heat in but don’t put it on fully or the heat will cause it to suction on) and leave for 2 minutes. Carefully remove the lid and stir through to mix all the ingredients together, leave for another 2 minutes.

Take the lid off and enjoy. We thoroughly recommend a fork, a spoon (for the delicious soupy bit at the end) and definitely a serviette!!