Anyone Bento?

[ramanth]

A couple of friends are into making Bento lunches and I am now hooked! I'm trying to lose a couple pounds and though I eat healthy, I tend to pig out. :o I was looking for a way to better portion my meals and this has been helping.

My bento box arrived the other day, much to my delight.

While waiting I had picked up a book on sushi and a rice cooker.

My first attempt at sushi wasn't perfect, but at least I didn't burn down the house. :rolleyes: :D

It was my first time making rice that wasn't instant and my first time with a rice cooker. I'm not sure what short grained rice is supposed to look like, but I don't think it's supposed to have the same consistancy as tapioca pudding. O_o *laughs*

It tasted decent and I was running short on time, so I just ran with it.

The nori split and the fillings exploded out the ends, but I had fun. Practice makes perfect. :)

Here are the results of my bento lunch for tonight:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/ramanth/bento/IMG_5884.jpg

bottom: sushi (avacado, asparagus, red pepper and shrimp) surrounded by carrots, red pepper, asparagus tips, and snow peas.
middle: blackberries, blueberries, cucumber, triskets, and hummus.
top: pocky and gummies


Yesterday's bento:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/ramanth/bento/IMG_5882.jpg

top: rice noodles topped with fish and carrot, surrounded by spinach, snow peas and cherry tomatoes.
middle: egg, blackberries and grapes.
bottom: pocky and M&M's


And a couple of practice bentos I made while waiting for my box. :)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/ramanth/bento/IMG_5841.jpg

Left: Hummus for dipping
Middle: carrots, asparagus, snow peas, mushrooms, green pepper, cherry tomatoes, spinach leafs, sliced hot dog, heart and dog house pita, and an egg.
Right: dog bone pita, extra pieces, gummies, and M&M's.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/ramanth/bento/IMG_5840.jpg

Left: apples and bananas sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar
Right: Tuna salad on lettece and cottage cheese with strawberry jam seperated by a carrot wall

So much fun! :D

[caseysmom]

Did they come with recipes? I am not creative at all but that looks really good and pretty too.

[CountryWolf07]

Bento's, do you mean, like Go-Go Bento?? We have that here in Columbus.. Never tried that place, though..

[shais_mom]

looks awesome kimmy - gonna have to look into it! ;)


Rachel -
well Bento is a Japanese term http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bento

I've never heard of go go bento but will definately check it out!!
I love japanese food!

[Cinder & Smoke]

A couple of friends are into making Bento lunches ...
... I tend to pig out. :o
I was looking for a way to better portion my meals and this has been helping.
:D

Uhhh, ... O-K ...
The SALAD Courses looked purdy good (ezcept for the RAW Phish part :p) ...

but what did ya have to EAT?

:p

[Giselle]

Hehe, it looks like your rice had a tad more water than you needed ;)

Are you using Japanese rice? Japanese rice is different from generic chinese/indian rice. Japanese rice is much shorter with a lot more substance and stickiness. A general rule is to use equal parts water to rice, but I would err on the side of caution and add a tiny bit more water. Too much will give you a porridge-like consistency (we actually eat a lot of such porridge).

P.S. Sushi is lovely, but I adore Korean Gimbap when I need something quick and easy to fill me up. GREAT for satiating hunger without overdoing the calories:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimbap

[shais_mom]

Uhhh, ... O-K ...
The SALAD Courses looked purdy good (ezcept for the RAW Phish part :p) ...

but what did ya have to EAT?

:p
here phred - here's some sushi right up you're ally!
;)
http://lunchinabox.net/

[Cinder & Smoke]

here phred - here's some sushi right up you're ally!
;)
http://lunchinabox.net/

Yupperz!

Hot Dawgs ...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/2282966468_a66776a9f7_o.jpg

MY kinda *sushi* !!

[ramanth]

Thanks for posting that link Staci.

No recipes. You can put anything in a bento. You could put mac & cheese in it if you wanted! :D

A good site to see ideas is http://www.bentoyum.com

Phred, that's a misconception. :) Sushi isn't raw fish. If you look, there was no raw fish in my sushi. ;) :D

Giselle, I did use short grained rice. It was my first time using the rice cooker. I used equal parts of water and rice and it came out like porridge. Still tasted okay, it was just super messy to eat. Next time I'll use less water. :D That Gimbap looks good!

[smokey the elder]

It's best if you get "sushi rice". When I make it, I rinse it really well, then let it dry in a strainer for about an hour. It goes into a pot with water (about 1.5 to 1, I think); I boil it vigorously, then simmer for 15 min, then steam with a cloth between the lid and the rice for about a half hour. If you have a rice cooker, it's probably easier.

When making the sushi itself, have your seasoning blend (I use rice vinegar, sugar, salt and a little mirin) and mix it with the rice right away, folding it in so the rice cools fairly quickly to become warm to the touch. At this stage it is the best texture to make hand rolls.

[shais_mom]

Phred, that's a misconception. :) Sushi isn't raw fish. If you look, there was no raw fish in my sushi. ;) :D


yup that's right - they have FABULOUS veggie sushi!
with no fish in sight!

[moosmom]

Sushi? EEEEEWWWW!!!!!!! :p

[Giselle]

Are you using sushi rice or regular Chinese rice? It sounds/looks a little like you're using Chinese rice. It'll taste alright, but it won't be as 'chewy' or hold flavor as well as the sushi rice =)

[lizbud]

Uhhh, ... O-K ...
The SALAD Courses looked purdy good (ezcept for the RAW Phish part :p) ...

but what did ya have to EAT?

:p


Yeah. Where's the mashed potatoes & gravy? :D


Do you really not get hungry between meals?

[shais_mom]

I picked up some seaweed wraps - asparagus- jasmine rice and sushi vinegar today. we shall see what happens
Giselle would jasmine rice work? I am not sure there is an asian grocery anywhere near where I am. :(

[ramanth]

I bought Botan Calrose Rice. Everyone that I talked too said that as long as it's short grained, you can use it to make sushi. Traditional long grain rice shouldn't be used, though some say they have used medium grain.

I bought all my supplies from the local Oriental Market. I would suspect their advice was honest. :) I'm certain I just added too much water. It was my first time cooking with real rice and the rice cooker.

Liz, I'm not starving in between meals, but if I do get hungry, I have a granola bar or another type of small snack to tide me over. :)

Staci, good luck with your sushi! :D

[jennielynn1970]

Yum!!! Love sushi! Have you tried any of the sweet red bean paste(azuki beans) dumplings? You can find them in the frozen section, and then just steam them and pack them up.

We have a bunch of asian markets here, with a lot of nice fresh veggies, fresh tofu, and yummy kimchee.

[ramanth]

I haven't, but thanks for the recommendation! :D

[K9karen]

Heading off for some Oreos, and maybe some jalepeno/avocado 'tater chips. :p :D

[ramanth]

Sounds good to me! I'm going to have a midnight snack of chips and salsa when I get home. :D

[Giselle]

Staci, well, what works and what doesn't work is pretty subjective :p In a sushi bar, regular jasmine rice wouldn't work, but I think it's fine if you're just doing it at home. Heck, I even specifically buy salted/seasoned nori to eat with regular jasmine rice.

Rice cookers can vary, too, so who knows! I just eyeball it, but it becomes second nature when you've been doing it since you were a toddler :D

[shais_mom]

yea I'll bet! ;)
well I'll try it - I'm not expecting miracles!! lol
:p

[ramanth]

I was curious about the Jasmine rice myself. A lot of the rice packages didn't indicate if it was short grain or not. None of them said "sushi rice" on the packaging. Thankfully the owners of the place were helpful and pointed me to the Calrose rice. :D

Let me know how the Jasmine rice tastes. I might have to pick up a bag just to try it. :)