Reddit reviews Effortless Bento: 300 Japanese Box Lunch Recipes
We found 6 Reddit comments about Effortless Bento: 300 Japanese Box Lunch Recipes. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
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The trick with rice is not to put it in the fridge! Ice packs in a lunchbox work great if you have any meats that need to be kept cool). But the fridge is dry and will suck all the moisture out of your rice making it hard and gross.
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I make about 20 cups of rice in a single go (this method) and wrap it all up in plastic wrap and keep them in the freezer. I've been doing food prep on weekends to make bento 'staples' that I keep in my freezer (or fridge, depending on the food) and then I just make sure to pull them out soon enough to be ready to make the bento in the AM.
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It takes about 10-15 min to put everything together. 2 min to re-heat the rice. I'll sometimes make mushrooms or other veggies in a pan (about 5-8 min, simultaneously with the rice cooking), and then let everything cool while I get dressed (don't pack bento while food is hot). By time I get back down it's a few minutes to just shove everything into a box, toss in a lunchbox with an icepack, and head out!
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I don't have exactly what you're looking for, but there are some pretty great bento books that let you make and freeze sides that you can mix and match with fresh or other frozen things to make a balanced, quick lunch in the morning. The two I have are Effortless Bento and The Just Bento Cookbook.
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I know that's not exactly what you mean, but it's the closest resource that I use.
Consider getting on the Bento kick to mix things up, if your coworkers are a little dismissive of old stained Tupperware with brown sludge in it, you can actually have some really pleasant looking meals. https://www.amazon.com/Effortless-Bento-Japanese-Lunch-Recipes/dp/1939130379
I cook a few proteins over the weekend and prepare the sides the morning of. Freezing proteins like chicken or beef will make them last a very long time after cooking. Small sides, like snap pees or sliced fruit are very fast and easy in the morning. I have a zogiroshi and begin cooking the rice either the morning of or the night before then cool it and pack it the morning of. Never pack any of your ingredients warmer than room temperature. If you can spare a few bucks, this is my go to bento cook book. It includes hundreds of recipes for both proteins and sides as well as techniques for storage, cleaning, and maintaining freshness.
I get compliments on [this box](Ecloud Shop Environmental Wooden Lunch Box Japanese Style Wooden Sushi Bento Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K4LMLW4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zxoQDbBCG8N5Z) all the time. It is totally worth it to get the one that tickles your fancy so that you use it more. Also, if you get a smaller one then you won’t eat as much.
I am a fan of Mind Over Munch , more than just bento though.
[Effortless Bento](Effortless Bento: 300 Japanese Box Lunch Recipes https://www.amazon.com/dp/1939130379/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_iCoQDbZBHHKNC) Is a fun book as well.
If visual presentation is a motivation, consider looking into adult bento meals. Many bento recipes are designed to be eaten at room temp, don't require refrigeration for a few hours, and can frequently be made in advance. Easy to carry, nice looking, and gives you an opportunity to try out new recipes.
While a good portion of the books on bento focus more on children's bentos (more focus on cute presentation that nutritious meals...too much processed meat/white rice/etc), there are sources for healthier adult ones.
justbento.com
Effortless Bento: 300 Japanese Box Lunch Recipes