Bento (Japanese style) packed, vegan meals

[pavotrouge]

there are matching lids for some of the containers and it shuts really tight and nicely

[jamboxrock]

Yeah, the purple container the stew is in has a lid, and the little red one the dressing is in does too. Also, I carry it flat as much as possible and lay it in the fridge flat. Although, when my coworker grabbed it for me today she flipped it upright, and it was unharmed. The lid closes tightly, and if it's packed in well there should be minimal shifting.

[jamboxrock]

For tomorrow: more lentil/veggie/alphabet/tomato stew, veggies, steamed brussel sprouts w/ grill seasoning, roasted red pepper hummus, dried apples and half a dried pineapple ring. I particularly like the colors in this one.

[sponge]

That looks very healthy.

[pavotrouge]

Thursday's bento, very lazy

Spinach noodles, pickled chilli, green olives, cherry tomatoes and a wrapped chocolate muffin.

[jamboxrock]

That looks very healthy.

It was, unfortunately I wasn't feeling very well that day. I picked around what I brought, then bought french fries and diet soda from the cafeteria. I needed hot food!

[Roxy]

I agree jambox - your lunches look so varied and healthy!

Hope you're feeling better now

[jamboxrock]

I am feeling better, thanks Roxy. I went camping this weekend and am exhausted, so packed tomorrow's lunch from what was dying in the fridge: snack mix & trail mix left from camping, steamed cauliflower w/ grill seasoning, last of the stew, baby carrots w/ dilly ranch, broccoli & grapes on the side.

[jamboxrock]

Tomorrow: leftovers (sesame tofu, brown rice, stir-fried green beans & nappa cabbage), half a tangerine and a pb oatmeal cookie.

[jamboxrock]

Tomorrow: sesame tofu w/ brown rice underneath, stir-fried green beans & nappa cabbage, broccoli w/ goddess dressing, snack mix, celery sticks, pb oatmeal cookie on the side.

[Est]

Pavotrouge and Jamboxrocks, your bento lunches are inspiring
I'm going to try this in the next few weeks and will report back with photos!

[jamboxrock]

Today: cajun-style red beans & orzo, roasted brussel sprouts, chopped avocado to go on the orzo, pickled mushrooms, beets & gherkins, pb oatmeal cookie.

[applepie]

@jamboxrock: how do you cook the roasted brussels sprouts? i'm always scared of cooking them any other way than steamed, i think they might dry out, but yours look delicious!

[ellaminnowpea]

jambo, your bento looks so good! especially that cajun red beans and orzo.

[pavotrouge]

@applepie: I love oven-roasted brussels sprouts. In fact, it's the only way I really like them. Just coat them with some olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper and bake for 20 mins.

[jamboxrock]

Pretty much what pavo said. Put the oven around 400/425 F, coat the brussels with olive oil, salt, pepper, whatever else you want, cook for 20-25 minutes till they're getting brown & crispy on the outside. Shake em around after 10-15 minutes to get even browning. I tried them halved this time, but they dried out a bit. I prefer them whole.

[pavotrouge]

*lol* Jambox, those are the secrects of the PPK

[jamboxrock]

Yep, I think everyone should love brussels. They're so good.

Tomorrow: eggless salad w/ mixed greens hiding underneath, celery, carrot & pepper strips, tamari sesame crackers, strawberries, pb oatmeal cookie on the side (the last one, finally!)

[Roxy]

Jambox...you are such an inspiration to me to start eating healthier lunches!!

[jamboxrock]

Thanks Roxy! In that case, I will keep on posting them

Tomorrow: eggless salad over mixed greens, snap peas & celery, tamari sesame crackers, half a pear. And I made limeade to drink, yay.

[Roxy]

Yummy! Well I want to get one of these Bento things now. But you did encourage me to chop up a fruit salad to take for my lunch tomorrow.

[veggiemaya]

jambox....those pictures are making me hungry!! everything looks so good!!!

[Marrers]

All very impressive guys!
Doesn't the chopped fruit and veg dry out before you eat it? I've noticed some of you pre chop avocado - doesn't it go brown?
And does it lose any nutrients from being chopped in advance?

[Est]

At last! My bento box (laptop lunch box actually!) arrived. Unfortunately I stayed late at a friend's house yesterday so didn't have time to prepare anything for it in the evening. I'd also bought some yummy stuff to put in it (first one, and all that) only to get home at just past midnight and find that I'd left it all in her fridge So it was made up of whatever I could dig out of the fridge/cupboards and did not end up as impressive as planned
Anyway here it is:



From top left:

1. Sliced yellow pepper (top) and sprouting salad plus mixed alfalfa/broccoli sprouts with a balsamic and garlic dressing (underneath).

2. Baby carrots and pomodorino tomatoes.

3. Kiwi and 2 squares Montezuma dark chocolate

4. Rice/quinoa/amaranth crackers plus a roasted red pepper hummous dip

The bag at the side is my granola for breakfast

Marrers - the sliced yellow pepper stayed fine but it was in a box with a lid which probably helped. Having said that, the whole lunch box seals quite tightly so it might have been ok in another compartment

[prawnsize]

Looks soooooooooo YUMMY! Thank you Pavotrouge for some great ideas!

[jamboxrock]

Est, nice job on your first bento, even if it was last minute.

Marrers, I haven't had any problems with drying out or weirdness, and I made my lunches the night before. My last avocado was kind of dying anyway, and after I took the picture I put plastic wrap closely over it, so it doesn't get much worse. I actually cover quite a few of the compartments after I take a pic...a couple days ago my cookie tasted like the strawberries that were next to it...

Tomorrow: "tuna" noodle casserole, steamed kale, vanilla soy yogurt over strawberries & blueberries, carrots & green pepper.

[cedarblue]

why didn't i spot this thread before??

i looked at the title, didn't know what it was, thought bento, schmento and ignored it - at my peril!!!

all the combinations look so good, i'm gonna get me one even though i'm not working full time right now - so cute! great for picnics too!

[cedarblue]

p.s. the boxes i've found online only have lids for a couple of the compartments, is that right? are some left open or sealed with your own clearfilm or foil?

[Est]

I've just ordered another one for OH! *He will like it or else*

@cedarblue - mine is from Becky & Lolo, a Laptop Lunch Box, and it has lids for one big compartment and the small dip compartment. The food in the open compartments didn't roll around or get mixed up or anything, in fact the lid of the lunchbox seems to pretty much seal them (though admittedly I don't think I'd put anything too runny in an open compartment!)

You could definitely wrap film round the compartment before putting it in its place in the lunchbox If I start doing mine the night before then I'll probably do that.

[trey]

Does anyone know if they make a ceramic style bento box, where the individual containers could be put in the oven to heat?

[pavotrouge]

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

[trey]

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.

[pavotrouge]

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.

[trey]

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

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

[jamboxrock]

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

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

[trey]

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?

[cedarblue]

here it is trey


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

[trey]

[COLOR="SeaGreen"]here it is trey

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

[Marrers]

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

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

[cedarblue]

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

[jamboxrock]

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

[bryzee86]

No preview available

[pavotrouge]

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

[ladyaprille]

Ive just bought a bento box - 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

[cedarblue]

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!

[Est]

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!
I was so impressed I've ordered another lunch box for my boyfriend and hopefully he'll be converted to the benefits too!

[ladyaprille]

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

[Est]

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



From top left:

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

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

[ladyaprille]

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

[cedarblue]

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