The bento is a rather fascinating and stylistic way of packing or presenting meals. It is compact with many partitions where each food is placed. It isn't only colourful and carefully placed, but it is also healthy and balanced. Since it takes time to prepare a bento, it definitely is counted as a sweet gesture of love for its recipients.
For those who might not be aware of what a bento is, it is basically a Japanese-style lunchbox. It is definitely more fancier than Western lunchboxes due to its presentation of a more visually harmonious meal. Apart from just appearances however, the bento is proportioned into four types of food which are all included within a small container that's convenient to bring and use everywhere.
But what makes the bento different from other types of packed meals? Here's a few reasons why it is favoured by many and has become a global trend in preparing not just Japanese meals, but other types of dishes local to the one preparing it:
1. The bento consists of a balanced meal. The traditional way of packing a bento leans more towards a good amount of carbs, proteins, vegetables, and fruits, thus giving a good amount of nutrients as well as fuel for the day.
2. A bento is just like a packed lunch made at home. It saves money, making it more appealing to people who are saving up because these days, prices have gone high and spending on restaurants will make the average worker's wallet cry.
3. A bento box is reusable which means less waste.
Now, for those looking to make a bento with Japanese food in mind and want to stick by the book, here's a little nugget of information:
Japanese bentos are meant to be eaten at room temperature which means that the food tends to be more heavily seasoned so that it tastes better at room temperature. Which is also why foods like Japanese Curry or other fatty foods are often avoided because they don't really taste good at room temperature. Moreover, the oil tends to solidify. Additionally, deep fried food such as karaage, tempura, and chicken wings are a timeless staple of the bento because of its crispy, airy texture that tastes good even at room temperature.
In creating the perfect bento menu, there are four types of food that should be present namely: carbs, protein, vegetables, and fruits. There is also an unspoken rule when it comes to preparing a bento meal which is that at least one dish should be in the following colours: red/orange, yellow, green, white, and black.
When it comes to splitting the proportions of food, carbs take the biggest portion of the bento, while fruits and vegetables get the least.
These elements help make the bento nutritionally balanced as well as colourful, adding to more visual appeal before it is eaten.
Carbs
Naturally when it comes to carbs in Asia, rice is always the answer. Needless to say, is it really a proper meal without rice? The answer for most would be a resounding no.
Rice is rich in carbohydrates, providing fuel for the average person. It keeps people energised and satisfied. While white rice is no doubt a staple, perhaps try changing it up once in a while with brown rice.
For some, the carbs portion could be pasta, sweet potatoes, whole wheat bread, to name a few. In Japan, it could be noodles like yakisoba, stir fried udon noodles, or even takikomi gohan also known as Japanese mixed rice. Here, the rice is cooked with vegetables, meat or fish, and mushrooms.
Protein
A very popular choice of protein for many is eggs and it's easy to see why due to its versatility as a dish and as an ingredient. Besides eggs, lean meats and poultry like beef and chicken are also good sources of protein. But for those who want to stay away from them, fish is always a great option. In particular, dishes like Teriyaki Salmon would be a great pair with rice. Meanwhile, the deep fried dishes mentioned earlier like tempura and karaage are delicious picks too.
Vegetables
An essential part of keeping the meal balanced is of course having vegetables in the menu. Putting a salad is a nice method of adding in those delicious greens. Other possible dishes include the Japanese Potato Salad which consists of cucumbers, carrots, hard boiled eggs, ham, and Japanese mayonnaise. In contrast to its Western counterparts that are vinegar based, the Japanese version has a nice balance of sweetness. Moreover, another dish to try out is Kinpira Renkon also known as a Japanese Lotus Root Stir-Fry, adding a crispy sweet and savoury flavour to the whole meal.
Fruits
Usually, the fruits would be in a separate container. Having fruits in the bento don't only contribute to the overall appearance of the meal, but also provide essential nutrients that are good for the body such as vitamin C, potassium, and fibre. It also cleanses the palate off of savoury flavours with its sweet taste. What fruits to include is up to personal preferences, but sometimes it can also be used up to fill in missing colours in the bento. With many choices to choose from such as berries, apples, and bananas, the fruits section can be a fun way of incorporating more of it into one's diet. And as they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!
Fillers
While this isn't mentioned earlier, fillers are a great way of adding in more food to the bento. This could be simple ingredients like cherry tomatoes, blanched broccoli, or even baby carrots. These are easy to prepare and eat on the side, adding more crunch and bite to the food while also brightening up the whole meal.
With a brief background of the bento and possible food combinations out of the way, it's time to actually go and create that meal for yourself or for your loved ones. Just keep in mind that a bento is equal parts nutritiously balanced and visually appealing.
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