vegan

Bento filler: Parsnip kinpira

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A classic Japanese vegetable side dish made with a very European vegetable. continue reading...

Bento filler: Cucumber and Nashi (Asian pear) marinated salad

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A really easy and refreshing salad that keeps for a week in the refrigerator. Great for bentos of course. continue reading...

Quinoa Makizushi - an idea from Heston Blumenthal

My mother brought me a book to look at recently. It's called Heston Blumenthal at home. Amongst the recipes was a technique which I think would be of interest to the Just Bento community. I wish I could say that I could have come up with it myself but there is a step which makes quinoa suitable for spreading and rolling in nori I would never have ever considered trying. I won't go into too much detail as I have no wish to infringe his creative copyright but the basic principle is easy to share.

To begin with, his tips for preparing quinoa: continue reading...

Chana Dal with Fennel and Almonds

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An Indian-influenced complete-meal recipe, great for thermal lunch jars or cold in regular bentos. Vegan, gluten-free, and even diabetic-friendly, but I promise it still tastes terrific! continue reading...

All-season shredded vegetable pickle-salad, plus migrating birds!

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A very simple ‘instant’ pickle-relish-salad made with always available vegetables, plus an equally easy decorative cutting technique. continue reading...

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! continue reading...

Bento filler staple: Walnut miso paste for cooked vegetables

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A delicious fall-like walnut-miso paste that makes any bland cooked vegetables taste great. It’s easy to make and stash in your refrigerator. continue reading...