Just Bento

Here is a bento assembled mainly with leftovers and stocked items from my mother’s Japanese kitchen. continue reading...

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 continue reading...

Hallowe’en seems to inspire bento artists around the world like almost no other holiday. If you’re planning on a special spooky bento for someone special, now is the time to start gathering ideas. Here are two great very simple, cute and clever sandwich based Hallowe’en bentos by Tiffany, aka Cool Mom From Vancouver. continue reading...

This week’s Great Bento Ideas are by Cocyte, who makes beautiful bentos in Bordeaux, France - a country that could be considered the mecca of bento-ing in Europe. continue reading...

Bento contents:

• Fried tofu (atsuage) with negimiso, 150 calories
• Konnyaku sautéed with ginger, garlic and chili peppers (variation of Konnyaku aglio olio e peperoncino), 50 calories
• Sweet pepper and carrot confetti, 30 calories
• Steamed baby pak choi with sesame oil, 20 calories

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”! continue reading...

I picked this week’s Great Bento Idea just because it’s beautiful and different. It’s edible bento art! continue reading...

Bento contents:

• Meatballs with lettuce in tomato sauce - 5 meatballs plus sauce, 270 calories
• Zucchini and white bean pods sautéed in olive oil, 100 calories
• 1/2 cup (120ml) brown rice with zakkokumai mix, 120 calories

Total calories (approx): 490 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 5 to 10 minutes to pack in the morning

Type: Not really Japanese, made from stash and leftovers continue reading...

This week’s Great Bento Ideas are all vegetarian! continue reading...