Bento (Japanese style) packed, vegan meals

[Huddy]

Thanks heaps for letting us know how you do it Pavo:D
You and VegCurry definitely are experts at it! They look soooooo yummy:p

[jamboxrock]

I just have a quick question-how do you guys come up with all these great ideas for your bento boxes? Are they just leftovers, or do you make little bits and pieces up especially. You make it look so easy, but I have no idea what to put in them! Im pretty stumped for ideas:o:) (sorry-I must sound like such a nuffy!:o)

Mine are made mostly from leftovers. I live alone and cook in batches so everything I make will feed me at least four times. Apart from that I try to keep things around that will fill the gaps. I try to make sure I include protein, carbs and fat to keep me full, as well as fruits and veggies to keep the calories not too high.

Pavo, the box with the noodles and tomatoes DOES look great.

RR, I might try to steal your shaved carrot idea for tomorrow if my carrots are still good :)

[jamboxrock]

tomorrow: smart deli bologna & american soy cheese slice on wheat, dijon mustard, lettuce and tomato for sandwich, two baby dill pickles, shaved carrot ala Ruby Rose w/ balsamic vinegar, blueberry muffin, cherries

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/6-10-08.jpg

[Huddy]

Thanks so much for the info and awesome photo Jamboxrock:D
The one you have made looks so yummy!:p

[mariana]

well, I guess I'm just generally food-obsessed. I collect cookbooks and try to make a new recipe at least every other day.

Then I'm subcribed to a bunch of food blogs and also bento blogs/communities. I posted links before but nobody seemed to care, so I can PM you some if you like.

I have a cooking and baking marathon every Sunday and usually make at least one batch of brownies, muffins or cookies to throw into bento throughout the week.
I also make one or two recipes that keep well until at least Wednesday.

Apart from that, I like using leftovers or freezer staples such as edamame, homemade onigiri and gyoza.
I look at food blogs all the time too! And I rarely make a recipe more than twice because I always want to try new ones! But my mom is starting to accuse me of being too food-obsessed because I'm always talking about cooking (except she doesn't seem to mind eating the food I make! :)). I found some bento blogs before but a lot of them were old and weren't being updated. I'm going to check the ones out (at the beginning of the thread, I take it?)--if you have any more good bento sites could you post or PM me? I'd love to look at some more bento sites. :)

[jamboxrock]

today: faux fish, hush puppies, veggies w/ dill & lemon, ketchup, cherries

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/6-11-08.jpg

[vegcurry]

^ hush puppies??

[jamboxrock]

Hush puppies! No puppies were harmed in the making. Recipe here (http://vegangelicalsouth.blogspot.com/2008/03/lets-take-moment-and-reflect-back-upon.html). They're a very traditional accompaniment to seafood meals here in the south, and they're normally fried. Kind of a fried ball of cornbread.

edit: You got me to wondering why they're called hush puppies. From the wiki article: Hushpuppies are a distinctly Southern food. They are now available throughout America on the menus of fried-fish fast food restaurants. The name “hushpuppies” is often attributed to hunters or fisherman who would quickly fry corn meal and feed it to their dogs to “hush the puppies” during cook outs or fish frys. [1] Two other legends surrounding the hush puppy date back to Civil War days. Southern soldiers would sit beside a campfire, preparing their meals. When Union soldiers came near, they would toss their barking dogs some of the fried cakes with the command "Hush, puppies". A common explanation for the name in Charleston, SC is that slaves returning into the homes of their masters carrying food recently prepared in the outdoor kitchens would throw the batter balls to the barking dogs, telling the "puppies" to "hush." Also, during the time of the underground railroads, escaping slaves would feed these to the dogs tracking them while coaxing them with hopeful commands such as "hush, puppies."[2]

[speedylemons]

ohhh I look at food blogs all the time. I have a few really great ones [including this particular thread] in my actual toolbar, and then i have a bookmark folder titled "Food blogs [alright]" and then "Food blogs [good]". haha. I have seriously like twenty or more in each folder. I love food blogs! They give me great ideas.. but they've got to have pictures! :bigsmile2:

[jamboxrock]

tomorrow: smart deli bologna rollups, one w/ soy cheese and one w/ lettuce, gherkins, ants on a log (!) on top of carrot sticks, tings (!), blueberry muffin. I made a kiddy lunch and I'm totally excited about eating it.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/6-12-08.jpg

[bexi]

Haha that lunch looks so much fun. What exactly is the white stuff on the "logs"? :)

[bryzee86]

tomorrow: smart deli bologna rollups, one w/ soy cheese and one w/ lettuce, gherkins, ants on a log (!) on top of carrot sticks, tings (!), blueberry muffin. I made a kiddy lunch and I'm totally excited about eating it.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/6-12-08.jpg

that is so frigging cute...

[jamboxrock]

Haha thanks. Bexi, it's Tofutti Herbs & Chives Better Than Cream Cheese.

[jamboxrock]

tomorrow: open face faux fish sandwich on wheat toast w/ lettuce, boiled veggies, melon balls, tartar sauce, oatios cereal, fig bar

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/6-13-08.jpg

[bryzee86]

tomorrow: open face faux fish sandwich on wheat toast w/ lettuce, boiled veggies, melon balls, tartar sauce, oatios cereal, fig bar

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/6-13-08.jpg

*scuttles off to add melon baller to wedding gift list*

ETA: an apple corer and citrus zester caught my eye as well...whoops...

[august]

This thread has some of the yummiest looking food.
The hush yuppy recipe sounds great and I'm going to make them and 'Wish' fillets for my guests this weekend. I haven't had hush yuppies in 5 years so I'm looking forward to them- yum. Thanks for the recipe.
The Jesus toast (photo on the blog with the hush yuppy recipe) looks amazing- I'd almost be scared to eat it though. :)

[mariana]

tomorrow: open face faux fish sandwich on wheat toast w/ lettuce, boiled veggies, melon balls, tartar sauce, oatios cereal, fig bar

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/6-13-08.jpg
Nice-looking lunch! The melon balls are cute. My mom used to make those a lot...wonder whatever happened to our melon baller...?

[vegcurry]

WEDNESDAY 11-06-2008. Clockwise from top left:
[1] Chick pea and spinach curry with rice.
[2] Hummus and carrot sticks
[3] Avocado, olive, cherry tomato, spring onions
[4] Green leaf salad, baby sweetcorn, and dried apricots.

& Brazil nuts in with the fork.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p46/vegcurry/Bento/Bento_050_11062008.jpg

THURSDAY 12-06-2008. Clockwise from top left:
[1] Potato Salad, Hummus, sprinkled with smoked paprika,
[2] Carrot sticks
[3] Strawberry, walnut and dried apricots.
[4] Green leaf salad, baby sweetcorn, sugarsnap peas.

& Hippie Bar.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p46/vegcurry/Bento/Bento_051_12062008.jpg

FRIDAY 13-06-2008. Clockwise from top left:
[1] Pinto bean chilli and pasta
[2] Hummus and carrot sticks
[3] Avocado, olive, cherry tomato, spring onions
[4] Green leaf salad, baby sweetcorn, sugarsnap peas, dried apricots, and pickled Manzano chillies.

& Trek bar.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p46/vegcurry/Bento/Bento_052_13062008.jpg

[vegcurry]

MONDAY 16-06-2008. Clockwise from top left:
[1] Mung Dhal, stir firied vegetables and cheatin chicken pieces.
[2] Potato salad with chives.
[3] Spring onion, avocado, olives, cherry tomato.
[4] Green salad, carrot sticks, baby sweetcorn, sugarsnap peas, Manzano chillies.

& Brazil nuts in with the fork
& Trek Cocoa Brownie bar.


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p46/vegcurry/Bento/Bento_053_16062008.jpg

[bryzee86]

Reminder to self: make dhal tomorrow.

[ellaminnowpea]

Not effin fair, you have trek bars over there! :(

[bryzee86]

You have Clif bars, Newman-Os, vegan marshmallows, So Delicious, and Purely Decadent.

You win.

[treehugga]

What's a hippy bar?? Does it contain interesting seeds or resins?:dizzy: Nudge nudge wink wink :devil:
My name's Treehugga, so I have a right to know!:tongue_ani:

[bryzee86]

http://www.whistlersownbakeshop.ca/productsbarshippie.html

[jamboxrock]

yesterday: orange beef, grilled eggplant, squash & zucchini, rice pilaf w/ tomatoes, chipotle kettle chips, fig bar

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/6-16-08.jpg

today: tofu cottage cheez w/ half a pear, carrot, squash & zucchini salad w/ balsamic vinaigrette, broccoli & green peppers w/ goddess dressing, gluten-free crackers, mamba candies

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/6-17-08.jpg