Bento #12

 Steamed rice with spinach and falafel

Process: Steam rice. Slice up falafel of choice into bite-size chunks; warm in pan with some oil. Wilt spinach in same pan, mix all with rice and fill bentos.

Feedback: Tasty, but a little bland. Some sort of sauce next time.

(kosher, gluten free, vegan)

Bento #11

Steamed rice with mixed greens and black beans in tomato sauce.

Process: Steam rice. Warm beans in tomato sauce with some oil; season to taste. Fill bento halfway with rice, cover with mixed greens. Ladle over beans in sauce. Yum.

Feedback: Beans were a hit, some of the greens were not.

(kosher, gluten-free, vegan)

Short break

A family rotation of illness followed by work busyness prevented any bentos for a couple weeks, but Monday will be here soon, with a new bento. Happy weekend!

-nava

Bento #10

Steamed white rice, pan fried tofu and wilted spinach

Process: Steam rice. Cut tofu to desired thickness and fried in light olive oil over medium-high heat with a splash of tamari until browned. Remove from pan and throw in handfuls of spinach. Stir briefly until wilted. Fill containers halfway with rice, top with spinach, tofu, and a drizzle of tamari. I normally like to jazz this up with spices or sauce, but we were getting over an illness so I kept it light.

Feedback: Can I have more tofu?

(gluten-free, vegan, kosher)

Bento #9

Vegan Spring Rolls and Popcorn with Thai Peanut Sauce

Process: Cut up carrots and cucumber into long, thin matchsticks (about 4" long), and slice up avocado. Soak 1 spring roll wrapper (mine are made from tapioca) at a time, until soft. Place a layer of spinach along the center, then a line of carrots, a line of cucumber, and a line of avocado. Roll up. Repeat until done making rolls. Slice. Pop some popcorn. Toss with olive oil and garlic. Serve with Thai Peanut Sauce (I make my own. Regular peanut sauce uses fish sauce, which is not vegan. As far as I know, there is not a regularly available kosher fish sauce either). This is not a quick lunch, unless you make the wraps (and sauce) ahead of time.

Feedback: Delicious!

(kosher, vegan, gluten free)

Bento #8

Tomato soup with drop biscuits and cheese

Process: Cook up some tomato soup of your choice. We love Pacific Naturals brand, both the creamy tomato and the roasted red pepper and tomato. So delicious. Garnish with chunks of mozzarella and some gluten-free drop biscuits.

Feedback: Soup everywhere. "More cheese please!"

(gluten free, kosher)

Bento #7

Steamed white rice, garbanzos in tomato sauce

Process: Steamed rice. Warmed a can of garbanzos and a can of tomato sauce on stove with butter and salt. Fill container 1/2 with rice, 1/2 with beans & sauce. Serve with napkins.

Feedback: Is there more?

(kosher, gluten free, veganizable)

*substituting olive oil for butter would make this vegan.