...and one other thing, about utensils!

Thanks to all of you who gave me your boxes today, and to those of you who will get them to me Monday - not ideal, but fine for the first week; I expected that there would be some things to negotiate initially.

I realized that I didn't mention anything about utensils - I do not provide utensils - I didn't want to go through disposable utensils (that would be a lot of waste from week to week), so you will have to bring your own. Chopsticks are optional! A fork (and spoon, depending on the menu for the particular day) will be fine.

Thanks and I look forward to delivering your lunches next week!

Bento links of interest

This photo was found here, on the website http://www.chronometrie.com

If you're interested in learning more about bento-making and bento themselves, here are a few links to get you started (further searching will reveal many more!):

Just Bento

Lunch in a Box (like Just Bento, kind of a how-to site for bento makers. The blogger has a young son, so there is a lot of information about packing lunches for children as well as adults)

A Japanese Life of Bento (Just Bento Post)

Take a virtual bento shopping trip in Japan (Just Bento post)

Bento Box (this one is kinda too cutesy for my taste)

A visit to any of the above links will reveal that there are many angles from which to approach bento, from how to adapt recipes so that the food is tasty and safe to eat, from the different types of boxes you can purchase, to how to "cute-ify" (don't know how else to describe it) bento food (usually for children).

The bento lunches that you will be receiving from me are created in the spirit of Japanese bento, although the contents are not necessarily Japanese. Also, I do not create my bento for preschoolers, so don't expect any kyaraben/charaben (cute bento/character bento) from me!

As the first week of bento delivery approaches: More bento box notes

~For society members~

Thank you for all of the orders so far! It's been fun to see all the excitement that this is generating. As we are coming up on Friday (tomorrow, when I will collect your boxes from you for next week's delivery) I had a couple of things that I wanted to address.

A note about the size of your container:
I will be putting the same portion of everything in everyone's box, regardless of the container size, so if you give me a larger box, the contents will not fill the container to the brim.

For example, I will be using a cup measure to measure out rice for rice bentos (1.5 cups most likely) and for things like chicken everyone will get the same number of pieces. Everyone will get the same amount of food.

About foods touching each other:
I am not one of those people who is really particular about different types of food touching each other, and as a menu planner I try to include foods in the same box whose flavors complement each other. That being said, if you are someone who really doesn't like their foods touching each other, I would get a bento box with separate compartments. The Laptop Lunchbox is one that I know of (click on the name to go to the product page on their website).

About purchasing a box especially for bento:
It's fun, but not necessary if you have, for example, a shallow tupperware container of the appropriate size (about 20 ounces). Shallow containers are good because I arrange the food horizontally, not vertically (more pleasing to the eye).

Hope you're having fun with this, I certainly am!

Bento Box Example

A few of you were asking me at work today about which bento box to purchase for your lunches, and someone suggested that I post pictures of the box that I use on this blog, so here they are - Lustroware brand:


This is actually Jess K's box, which is a little bigger than mine, but it's the exact same brand and design and can be purchased at the Container Store, in the section where the food storage containers and thermoses and etc. are located. I recall that mine cost a little over $11.


What I love about this box is the tight-fitting lid, as well as the removable divider.

It's also dishwasher safe (both box and lid), and microwave safe if you take off the lid.


Happy bento box hunting!

Bento #6: Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Onigiri (02.25.09)

JK's Bento for February 25, 2009:


Bento contents:
* 2 smoked salmon and cream cheese onigiri (rice balls)
* Simmered sweet potatoes and mushrooms
* Spicy stir-fried lotus root
* Umeboshi (Japanese pickled plum)

Planned menu for first week in March (3rd-5th)

Here is the currently scheduled menu for the first week in March. Main items marked in boldface type. You can sign up in the upstairs kitchen from this Wednesday until Friday (I will be taking all bento boxes home with me at 3:00 pm on Friday).

Tuesday, March 3rd Menu:
Chicken teriyaki (dark meat)
Steamed brown rice
Braised bok choy
Carrot kinpira (Just Bento recipe: carrot matchsticks stir-fried with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a little hot chile pepper)

Wednesday, March 4th Menu:
Tuna-tofu-miso mini burgers (Just Bento recipe)
Steamed brown rice
Simmered carrots
Steamed broccoli

Thursday, March 5th Menu:
Mini baked veggie frittatas (2)
Spanish rice
Roasted vegetables (TBD)
Salad greens
Orange slices

Bento #5: Thai Tofu and Squash Curry (02.19.09)

JK's Bento for February 19, 2009:


Bento contents:
This is actually my bento from Friday February 20 because I failed to take a picture of JK's bento on Thursday. The only difference is that mine was served over rice noodles; hers came with steamed white jasmine rice.
* Thai tofu and squash curry (recipe here)
* Rice noodles (or, steamed jasmine rice)
* Lime wedges, cilantro, and (peanuts) for garnish