Just Bento

This week, we have two Great Bento Ideas from the bento community, both illustrating how bentos can be beautiful yet not have to require hours and hours of time to assemble. continue reading...

Bento contents:

• Chicken with peppers and sesame oil, 240 calories
• Broccoli with wasabi sauce, using stevia as the sweetener instead of sugar and halving the sake, 20 calories
• 1/2 cup (120ml) rice , 120 calories

Total calories (approx): 380 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 5 to 10 minutes prep time, plus 20-30 minutes of cooking time

Type: Japanese, made in a rice cooker continue reading...

This week’s great bento idea from the bento community at large is from Mils of Not Another Brown Bag Lunch - it’s an ochazuke bento!

What is an ochazuke? As I explained some years ago, ochazuke is basically rice with various savory bits on it, over which hot green tea is poured. You mix up the rice, tea and bits, and slurp. Ochazuke is often served as the last course in a formal meal, or eaten simply as a quick late-night snack. It’s a great way to use up leftover rice for one thing. continue reading...

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...

Bento contents:

• 1 large slice boiled ham, 100 calories
• 1 slice proscuitto, 80 calories
• 1 small piece cheese (gouda), 80 calories
• 2 small whole grain rolls, 160 calories
• About 8 grapes, 30 calories
• 1 Tbs. mustard (in small red container)
• Mixed salad greens, 10 calories

Total calories (approx): 460 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 5 minutes in the morning

Type: Not Japanese, sandwich, nothing made in advance continue reading...

Bento contents:

• Quinoa with green peas and dried sausage, 1/3rd of the recipe (about 1 1/3 cups), 340 calories
• Raw asparagus, radish and Parmesan salad, 1/2 of the recipe (about 1 1/4 cups), 100 calories
• Fresh strawberries, about 1 cup, 50 calories Total calories (approx): 490 (how calories are calculated)

(1 cup = 240ml (US measurements))

Time needed: 25-30 minutes the night before; 10-15 minutes in the morning

Type: Not Japanese, alternative grains, gluten-free (note: please make sure the sausage you use is wheat-free if you are gluten intolerent.) 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...

Bento contents:

• 3 medium sized Buttermilk Corn Muffins, 450 cal
• 1 serving Make Your Own Vegetable Soup Concentrate, 50 cal
• Mache or lamb’s lettuce as background/garnish

Total calories (approx): 510 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 25-30 minutes to decorate the muffins (muffins are pre-made and frozen)

Type: Not Japanese, theme bento, vegetarian continue reading...