bento ideas

Thought I would share some of the bento main dishes that I've tried from this book by Satomi Kenmisaki.

My friend, Hiromi gave this to me before I left Osaka.

The recipes are super easy and portioned for 1 serving.

Technically, you should make your bento items the morning of, let it cool then pack the bento.

Since I had not tried these recipes I didn't know how long it would take me to put the dish together, so I've been making them the day before, then in the morning, I re-heat the dish, let it cool then pack it in the bento box.

(the only dish I cooked the morning of, was the salmon)

Honey Miso Salmon

80 grams fresh salmon
1 teaspoon honey
2 teaspoons miso

Cut your piece of salmon in half
Mix the honey and miso
Place the salmon on a piece of plastic wrap
Coat the salmon with the miso mixture
Wrap the salmon tightly and leave in refrigerator overnight
Next morning, wipe off miso mixture
Cook salmon in fish grill drawer for 8-10 minutes

NOTES: This piece of salmon was a little larger than 80 grams (more like 100 grams). I know most do not have the fish grill drawer, so put it under the broiler for 8-10 minutes. Even though you wipe most of the marinade off, because it has honey in it, watch the fish when cooking. I still haven't figured out the heat control for my fish drawer, so I believe it is on high and ended up cooking the salmon for 6 minutes.

Mince and Potato Curry Stir-Fry

80 grams ground beef
50 grams potato, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon oil
25 grams minced onion
1 teaspoon curry powder
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon shoyu

In a frying pan, heat the oil on medium and add the potato
When the potato gets some color and slightly soft, add the onions and ground beef
Cook everything through
Add the curry powder and shoyu
Cook until liquid evaporates

NOTES: super fast and easy

Mince and Pumpkin Spice Stir-Fry

80 grams ground chicken
50 grams pumpkin, cut thin
1 teaspoon oil
salt & pepper to taste
chili pepper to taste

In a frying pan, heat the oil on medium and add the pumpkin
When the potato gets some color and slightly soft, add the ground chicken
Cook everything through
Add the seasonings
Cook until any liquid evaporates

NOTES: I used ground chicken, but the original recipe was for ground beef. I didn't use salt, pepper or chili pepper, instead I added 1/4 teaspoon taco spice

I haven't tasted any of these dishes, but Satoshi has said they all taste good...I should probably make bento for myself too as Satoshi said he's already lost some weight...

If you try any of these recipes, let me know what you think.