What’s a bento lunch? It’s the Japanese version of brown-bagging, a box chock full of delicious and healthy goodies that keep your energy up for a day of working or studying.
Bento lunches may seem complicated, but, in fact, they’re not. Many of the dishes can be prepared ahead of time, and cooked rice can be kept in the freezer in individual portions ready to use.
The traditional bento box has compartments to hold various food items. There are many styles to choose from. You can buy tiered boxes to hold the main meal separate from your snacks, and you can choose from the traditional black lacquered style, or modern plastic and metal styles.
Bento boxes come in a range of smart, elegant and even cute designs, like Hello Kitty from Sanrio.
Once you have chosen your box, it’s time to choose your delicious ingredients. Anything can go into a bento box, even sandwiches, but why not be a bit more adventurous, especially if you have a fridge and a microwave at work? You can cook up a gourmet meal and heat it up, or fill your bento box with a variety of snacks that will be refreshing on a hot day.
Little bento ideas
It may take extra time to prepare, but you will gain so much in flavor, health, and variety, and you will save money as well. If your normal lunch is a soggy sandwich or a dash down to the nearest burger chain, choosing the bento option will boost your energy and make your break one savor. Here are some ideas to get you started. You will find plenty more by searching the Internet.
Crab omelet
Crab omelet with salad greens is filling and nutritious. To make the omelet, break one egg into a cup and give it a quick beat with a fork. Add a splash of soy sauce, and two tablespoons of good quality crab meat. Mix together and pour into an oiled omelet pan, or pop it in the microwave for about a minute. Roll the omelet and put it in the largest compartment of your bento box, and add various salad items to the other compartments. You can choose grated carrot, chopped cucumber, sliced spring onions, asparagus spears, and cherry tomatoes.
Pork balls
Little pork balls rolled in cooked rice are a delicious treat in the middle of a busy day, and they can be prepared the night before. Soak half a cup of rice in 1 ½ cups of water for at least an hour. Drain and empty onto kitchen paper. Mix 1 cup of ground pork with half a teaspoon grated ginger, a splash of soy sauce and some minced spring onion. Shape into balls and roll in the rice. Steam until the pork balls are cooked through. You can add some more rice, sprinkled with soy sauce or sushi vinegar, crisp snow peas and sweet pickled ginger in the other compartments.
Ham cubes
Other delicious bento box fillings can be made up of whatever you fancy, or have handy. Try cubes of ham with small cobbettes of corn and potato salad; sushi rolls with seaweed salad, rice balls, and a pickled plum; little spiced beef or veggie burgers with pasta salad, carrot strips, and sliced cucumber; Feta cheese cube with marinated olives, dried tomatoes, and a baked potato; or for a special treat, tiny heart-shaped scones with little containers of jam and cream. Add vegetable medley to keep it healthy.
Your bento box lunch doesn’t have to be Asian food, although that is where they have perfected the art of preparing dishes that pack well and stay tasty. You can use any food – just remember to keep everything separate so no one food contaminates or spoils the taste of another.
