Just Bento

Bento contents:

• 3 bento sized mini cabbage rolls, 180 calories
• Green beans with ginger stir fried in sesame oil, 60 calories
• Green beans stir fried with ginger and sesame oil, 60 calories
• Carrot slices cooked with the cabbage rolls, 5 calories
• 2/3 cup (160ml) rice from frozen stash, 160 calories

Total calories (approx): 405 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 5 to 10 minutes in the morning to defrost and pack up the bento

Type: Japanese, everything made in advance; low-carb adjustable by reducing or replacing rice continue reading...

I love cabbage rolls, whether rolled or deconstructed, but regular sized ones are a bit too large and sloppy in my mind to put into all but the largest bento boxes. These are little bento sized cabbage rolls, just a bit bigger than a ping-pong ball. They aren’t too showy to look at, but are deliciously juicy hot or cold. They are kept compact and slim by using napa or Chinese cabbage instead of regular cabbage leaves, since napa cabbage leaves are thinner and more tender, and using the smaller inner leaves that are about 10 inches (25cm) long.

Another feature of these mini cabbage rolls is that I tried making them in a rice cooker, and they came out great. I’ve also given instructions for making them on the stovetop, but if you’re looking for more ways to utilize your rice cooker, you may want to try it out that way. continue reading...

A quick and easy trick for keeping the ‘bun’ part of a rice burger from falling apart. continue reading...

Here is something that I had in my archives - a sushi roll bento, made with ingredients that you might not have thought belong in a sushi. Plus, how to make a fat sushi roll without a sushi mat! continue reading...

I have posted a recipe for char siu, or Chinese style roast pork, previously. But that was way back in 2004, and my standard go-to recipe has changed a bit since then. Plus, it makes a great staple for bentos, so here it is. continue reading...

I try to make every effort to explain what the very Japanese ingredients are in Japanese bentos and recipes. But this comment by Sophie made me realize that even ingredients that may seem familiar in principle, may be a bit of a mystery when they are used in bentos. Ingredients like - cheese! What kind of cheese is commonly used in Japanese bentos? continue reading...

Bento contents:

• 1 US cup (240ml) steamed brown rice with 2 tsp. rice vinegar, 220 cal
• 1/2 portion of Tuna Soboro with Ginger, 175 cal
• 2 Tbs. Homemade Sakura Denbu, 50 cal
• Usuyaki Tamago (very thin omelette or egg crêpe) shredded finely (kinshi tamago), from 1 egg, 100 cal
• 1 cup 3 Color Spring Vegetable Namul with Crabstick with “Instant” radish pickles, 90 cal

Total calories (approx): 635 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 15 minutes the night before; 15 minutes in the morning

Type: Traditional Japanese with a twist continue reading...

I could have sworn I had already posted a recipe for tuna soboro already, and I was all set out to call this the Much Improved version. But what do you know - I had neglected to post any recipe for this frugal bento staple at all. But no matter; this version would probably have superceded any previous versions anyway. continue reading...