Does your midday 'lunchbox' make you want anything but to eat it? Do you end up giving in and going to buy a butter-and-bread sandwich at the bakery? Let us introduce you to the bento! The essential item for you too to have a healthy meal that will make you salivate.
A Bento, what is it?
The bento refers to a quick meal eaten away from home. This lunch is contained in the form of a meal box. This type of meal is extremely popular in Japan, to the point that the Japanese add the prefix "-o" to it, as a mark of respect. And no, you don't joke around with food in Japan!
The quality of the meal as well as its quantity is essential for a successful bento.
How to choose your bento?
In Asia, the Bento box is considered a real fashion accessory! Over the seasons, the bento box comes in different versions: from lacquered wood inlaid with gold for a chic, traditional result, to the basic classic in plastic, by way of more eccentric models. In addition to the various patterns, bento boxes come in many shapes, colours, sizes, etc.
Choose a bento that suits your eating habits. A wide choice of products is available online or in various shops specialising in takeaway meals. All that's left is to define your priorities:
An insulated bento if you want to keep your meal hot until lunch, a microwave-safe bento if you have the possibility to heat it up, an airtight bento box if you eat liquids, etc.
You'll find what you're looking for here or here, or at Kajiro, which offers bentos from €10.
What to put in your bento?
Traditionally, it contains starches — rice for example — proteins, fish or meat, vegetables, all without too much fat or sugar. Generally it contains a complete, balanced and appetising meal that your children, like you, will be delighted to discover at the midday break!
In addition to its dietary side, you'll be won over by the originality of the composition. Because the bento is first enjoyed with the eyes.
Let your personality show in your bento!
Now it's up to you to make your bento box fun and appetising. Adorn your meal with a whole universe of cartoon characters, animals or encouraging messages. Sculpt your food and turn your cucumber slice into a pretty flower. Sculpt, decorate, cut your food carefully to make the whole thing a picture. Personalise your bento and make the lunch box that resembles you.
This artist's work will be made easier by using the right utensils. Thus, the creation of eyes from black seaweed thanks to a punch dedicated to this use, and the placement simplified by using almost-surgical tweezers. There are even moulds to turn your eggs into a car, a cat or a chick.
To perfect the composition, add leaf-shaped food separators, Kawaii-head picks and panda-shaped sauce containers. It'll look lovely.
Bentos for sale or on deposit at Kajiro
As mentioned above, Kajiro offers bentos for sale but also on deposit, to be found on the site and refunded or exchanged at each visit.
