Time required: 20-30 minutes

The Guy's Two-Step Nikujaga (Japanese meat and potatoes)

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Well hello there JustBento readers. Here's a recipe for you!

Beef and vegetable rolls (Yasai no nikumaki)

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Yasai no nikumaki, or vegetables wrapped in thinly sliced meat, (niku means meat and maki means wrap or roll) is a colorful and delicious standby item for bentos in Japan. This recipe uses a typical American cut of beef, very thinly sliced sirloin or 'cheesesteak beef'.

Two-color namasu, a make-ahead daikon radish and carrot salad

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Here's a recipe for a classic vegetable dish that is served at New Year's in Japan. It actually gets better after some time in the refrigerator, and is a great bento side dish that may even bring you some luck!

Wafuu Quinoa - Quinoa with Japanese flavors

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Here's an East-meets-West type of dish that is great for bentos, using one of my favorite grains, quinoa, with some very Japanese ingredients.

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Bento contents:

  • 2 sandwiches made with 2 kouya dofu sandwich 'breads', filled with cucumber, ham and mayonnaise, 600 calories
  • Lettuce and cherry tomatoes, 50 calories

Total calories (approx): 650 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 30 minutes (if 'bread' is made in the morning, less time if you make it in advance and just assemble the sandwich in the morning)

Type: Low carb, gluten-free, alternative sandwiches

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Bento contents:

Total calories (approx): 250 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 30 minutes (if all components are made in the morning, much less time if you make things in advance)

Type: Japanese, low carb, low calorie, vegan, "zen"!

Green onion and thyme low-carb gluten-free muffins

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Low-carb, gluten-free savory muffins that are perfect for bentos, or for snacks, or for breakfast, or....

Bento no. 76: Chicken and pepper rice cooker bento

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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

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