Bento (Japanese style) packed, vegan meals

there are some that are microwavable, and I guess you could use the aluminium ones in the oven. Bento is eaten cold traditionally :)

Eww, I refuse to use microwaves.

I know they're traditionally eaten cold, but I don't really enjoy that much cold food. I really like the compartmentalization of the boxes though, but I wouldn't ever use a plastic one.

have a look at this then:
http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-Bent...3628438&sr=8-2

I don't own one but there's a big flickr community raving about them.

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pavotrouge

http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-Bent...3628438&sr=8-2

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I like that thing a lot, but it doesn't appear as if they are oven safe, only microwave

Mr. Bento looks fun! Maybe I'll get one of those next.

Tomorrow: double "tuna" noodle casserole, steamed kale, chopped pear. Quick and easy.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...es/2-22-08.jpg

I looked through the thread but couldn't find a recipe for the tuna casserole. I thought I saw it earlier when I was looking, but can you link me the post or copy it again?

Is there any soy in it?

here it is trey


http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=17782.0

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cedarblue

[COLOR="SeaGreen"]here it is trey

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thank you. Looks like a pretty good recipe. I'll just have to omit the mushrooms (yuck!), and think this will be golden :)

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trey

I like that thing a lot, but it doesn't appear as if they are oven safe, only microwave

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But it keeps your food hot once you have warmed it in the oven - wouldn't that work.

jambox, can you share the recipes for the sausage balls and brocolli polenta?? :)

Cedar, the sausage balls are here: http://www.postpunkkitchen.com/forum...c.php?id=39124

Totally junky and totally delicious.

The broccoli polenta is from Veganomicon. A goole search yielded this, where it seems you can preview the entire book and pretty much see the recipes...

http://books.google.com/books?id=tjN...m6lk#PPA114,M1

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No preview available

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:(

I'm happy to share any v-con recipes via PM, Bryan :)

Ive just bought a bento box :D - and it's hello kitty for pure entertainment

As of today i have 60 days until my 21st birthday - EEk. Right now, im quite unhappy with how i am - so, for 60 days I will make up an all healthy, creative bento box for the day and hopefully this will have me one step closer to being a little more confident on my 21st :)

good luck with that ladyaprille! it's funny how little things like your bento box can help to chirp one up, by raising a smile isn't it?

looking forward to seeing some photos of your lunches too though! :D

Good luck ladyaprille! I know that true confidence etc has to come from within, but your profile pics are beautiful :) You will shine at your 21st birthday whatever happens between now and then.
I think that bento lunches will definitely help you stick to your goals though - they are so nice to eat, and because it's all separated and arranged, it's easy to eat slowly so you feel full faster.
I've only done one bento lunch box so far, and I thought it didn't look like much food, but I was stuffed by the time I'd finished it! :eek: :D
I was so impressed I've ordered another lunch box for my boyfriend and hopefully he'll be converted to the benefits too! :D

Thank you for your support cedarblue and est :) It certainly is the little things that make a big difference. I will take some pictures from tomorrow :D

Okay my second bento box is below - I'm not sure it looks much better but it sure tastes nice!!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...Bento/Day2.jpg

From top left:

1. Four bean, spinach and mint salad (courtesy of Sainsburys... I can't make anything that complex :rolleyes:

2. Chestnut mushrooms, sliced apple

3. Salsa dip and vegan choc chip cookies (NOT to be eaten together!)

4. Tortilla chips, 2 Japanese Miso rice crackers and 2 Japanese Tamari and Garlic rice crackers

Looks amazing!!! - I can't wait for mine to arrive. HOORAH to BENTOOOO

super est - isn't it funny how much nicer food looks in those little boxes!

Thanks ladyaprille! :D

Cedar you are so right, if I just took lunch in a bag I would never get excited about 2 chestnut mushrooms and some apple slices (boorrring) but in my bento box it becomes interesting and cute and nibbly!

My OH's bento box arrived this morning after I left for work, and he texted me to say, "Another of those weird boxes has arrived, what's it for?"
LOL :D

I broke the news and promised he can have more of the tortilla chip type stuff and less of the beany salads (one step at a time ladies, one step at a time...)

Who says you can't have choco chip cookies and salsa together?

Lookin' good, Est.

I think I should make lunches like these...seen as I have to starve. :rolleyes:

I wouldn't know what to have though!

Est, where do you buy those rice crackers? I can't get them off my mind now! :D

Tomorrow's lunch, dinner leftovers: tempeh wingz, onion rings (broken up to fit), iceberg salad w/ celery & carrots, homemade ranch, avocado in the plastic wrap, cucumber & more carrots for the salad on the side.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...es/2-26-08.jpg

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applepie

Est, where do you buy those rice crackers? I can't get them off my mind now! :D

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I know I'm not Est, but I think they sell them at holland and barrett. They do teriyaki ones too.

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bryzee86

I know I'm not Est, but I think they sell them at holland and barrett. They do teriyaki ones too.

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Oi!! :p
Yeah bryzee is right, H&B do them and also Sainsburys do the black sesame ones (next on my hit list to try). I got the Tamari and Garlic ones, and the Miso ones, from my local independent health food shop. I'll find the brand name and post it tomorrow :)

Bryzee I haven't seen teriyaki ones before, must hunt them down and eat them!! :D Sound great!

the brand's Clearspring, btw:

http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/cgi-...yaki_150g.html

These are the nicest rice crackers ever!

Today's lunchbox:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...Bento/Day3.jpg

Clockwise from top left:

1. 2 Tamari and Garlic Japanese rice crackers, 2 Miso Japanese rice crackers, raw sugar snap peas

2. Sliced kiwi, handful of dried fruit (mango, mixed berries, banana)

3. Broken-up garlic and coriander poppadum

4. Mini pittas filled with organic hummous, raw baby sweetcorn

Down the side: Sainsburys Free From shortcake and choc chip cookie (both vegan)

EDIT jamboxrocks I forgot to say yours looks lovely (as always) and I might include some onion rings in soon as my OH likes those too - good thinking!

Thanks, I must have a look for the rice crackers today!

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jamboxrock

Tomorrow's lunch, dinner leftovers: tempeh wingz, onion rings (broken up to fit), iceberg salad w/ celery & carrots, homemade ranch, avocado in the plastic wrap, cucumber & more carrots for the salad on the side.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...es/2-26-08.jpg

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You are going to post "wings" and "homemade ranch dressing" WITHOUT A RECIPE!?:mad:

Hahaha, sorry Haniska. I posted the ranch recipe over in the pictures thread, but here it is again. I got it from these boards a while back, it was posted by ConsciousCuisine.

Re: How can I get my husband to turn vegan?

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Here's one of my Vegan 'Ranch' Dressings:

1/2 cup Soy Mayonnaise (Vegenaise is the BEST)
6 oz. Firm silken tofu
3 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup plain soymilk (unsweetened)
3 T. lemon juice
1 T. chopped fresh parsley
1 T. chopped fresh dill
1/2-1 tsp. each garlic powder and onion powder
1/3 a tsp. salt (or less/more depending on taste)
A few grinds freshly cracked pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper


Mix the lemon juice and soymilk together, stirring and let curdle.

Combine the remaining ingredients in a food procesor and pulse. Add the soymilk and lemon mixture and correct seasonings as desired. For an extra-rich dressing, add 1/3 cup vegan sour cream with the soymilk and lemon mixture. Add unsweetened soymilk to thin to desired consistency.

(I usually use dried herbs, 1 tsp to each Tbs fresh called for. I used fresh dill once and used a ton as I wanted super dilly ranch, but it all turned green and didn't taste so hot.)


And the wings are Tempeh Wingz from Don't Eat Off The Sidewalk zine, but the author has kindly posted some sample recipes, including this one.

http://donteatoffthesidewalk.com/?page_id=68

Tomorrow: spelt spaghetti marinara w/ almond parmesan, steamed broccoli, "cheddar" crackers, grapes, cranberry trail mix

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...es/2-27-08.jpg

yum!

ur grapes look like blueberries.

I am gonna make bentos too now! Once I start working. I've admired them for a couple of years and made a few but I haven't really had time/a good reason until now. :)

Wow, you guys are so creative! I can't be bothered doing that :D I always eat plain sandwiches - jam or avocado & salad if I am lucky :p

today: the makings of a buffalo tempeh wrap (multigrain wrap, unsauced tempeh wings in the foil, buffalo sauce, iceberg in the plastic wrap, sliced tomatoes on the side), veggies & ranch. this was so good, even cold.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...es/2-28-08.jpg

tomorrow: chickpea tahini casserole (still frozen, will hopefully thaw by tomorrow), broccoli florets, salad (iceberg, carrots, celery), avocado in the plastic wrap, balsamic vinaigrette in the container and grapes on the side

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...es/2-29-08.jpg

You're a freakin Bento Queen, jambox!! :D Your lunches always look so yummy!