Bento Boxes

[PrincessFiona60]

That sounds really good. I've been having a cup of miso everyday about 11 for snack.

[Timothy]

Originally Posted by Damien

I <3 comfort food... Made a big bowl of miso soup tonight with shredded carrot, cubed tofu, spring onion, seaweed and udon noodles..

Yum!

-Damien

That sounds like just the way I love miso soup. I slice the onion as this as possible. Seaweed is one of my favorite foods!

[Timothy]

Originally Posted by spork

What a fun disaster!

First, I'm like, okay, soy beans don't have mammary glands. Their milk is not really milk. This pot looks way big enough for even five cups of cow milk to boil. Wrong! As soon as you see the soy bean solution from powder begin to rise, you're too late. It froths and boils over like an escaped alien blob creature engulfing your stove top. Yikes! The coagulant is fun though, sort of like molecular cuisine. Here are my molds in the sink for the instructional 20-minute set.

And the resulting tofu from my onigiri molds, topped with traditional scallion, ginger, shaved bonito and soy sauce.


Fun, but more importantly, it didn't taste good. Made me feel inclined to join the tofu-bleh crowd. Were it not for the steaming tofu bakeries I was entrusted to shop weekly as a five-year old for my mother, I will try again with whole dried soy beans and google for a good coagulating agent...

I"m sorry it didn't turn out well for you spork!

[spork]

I tried it again a couple days ago...

I can only expect so much from powdered soy milk. My visiting foodie aunt says it can be made from a carton of grocery soy milk. My foodie uncle says the pot is a b**** to clean afterward. He's right; it's a bit easier with a large non-stick pot. A miniscule amount of coagulant is used, so it must be sprinkled throughout the boiled milk. If callously dumped, it can settle and form burnt or uneven curds.

This time, I molded it using your idea of cheesecloth lining a colander, Timothy. It's fun. I'll keep trying to improve on my "homemade tofu."

[Timothy]

Originally Posted by spork

I tried it again a couple days ago...

I can only expect so much from powdered soy milk. My visiting foodie aunt says it can be made from a carton of grocery soy milk. My foodie uncle says the pot is a b**** to clean afterward. He's right; it's a bit easier with a large non-stick pot. A miniscule amount of coagulant is used, so it must be sprinkled throughout the boiled milk. If callously dumped, it can settle and form burnt or uneven curds.

This time, I molded it using your idea of cheesecloth lining a colander, Timothy. It's fun. I'll keep trying to improve on my "homemade tofu."

Here's a clip showing the Blender Method of making Soy Milk. The resulting soy milk can be used to make your tofu. Very easy and a great way to do it.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/461398...ith_a_blender/

[spork]

My uncle also said to use a blender, then squeeze out the milk. He also suggests trying different rennet(?) agents. From the time he was eight years old, one of his kitchen chores was to make the day's tofu. He used ordinary, natural sea water as the coagulant.

[Timothy]

Originally Posted by spork

My uncle also said to use a blender, then squeeze out the milk. He also suggests trying different rennet(?) agents. From the time he was eight years old, one of his kitchen chores was to make the day's tofu. He used ordinary, natural sea water as the coagulant.

I use fresh squeezed lime juice as the coagulant. I like the flavor it gives the tofu.

[Timothy]

Here's another video of how to make your own tofu/soy milk.

This may be the most clear and best produced video on this that I've found.

How to Make Tofu - YouTube

[Merlot]

Soooo... I have been trying to keep up with the newer posts and reading the older ones as I have time.

Darn you all, I bought a Mr. Bento today. My lunches will not be as fancy as the ones posted. They will consist more of soups, cheese/ crackers, salads etc. (nothing Japanese!)

I really wanted the cute little orange/ red/ pink one but the reviews were not good (leakage, can't microwave, not insulated, can't take anything liquidy) (tried to attach picture)... and for Spork.. I saw this and immediately thought of you... (another picture).

[Kathleen]

Originally Posted by Merlot

Soooo... I have been trying to keep up with the newer posts and reading the older ones as I have time.

Darn you all, I bought a Mr. Bento today. My lunches will not be as fancy as the ones posted. They will consist more of soups, cheese/ crackers, salads etc. (nothing Japanese!)

I really wanted the cute little orange/ red/ pink one but the reviews were not good (leakage, can't microwave, not insulated, can't take anything liquidy) (tried to attach picture)... and for Spork.. I saw this and immediately thought of you... (another picture).

YAY! I cannot wait to hear what you make. Most of mine were not Japanese, but I get really excited when I pack my lunch in one of the boxes that I have. Be sure to post pictures! Japanese or not, all inspire! And the cute little orange/red/pink bento? Well....really. You cannot have too many. Really!

[Merlot]

Originally Posted by Kathleen

YAY! I cannot wait to hear what you make. Most of mine were not Japanese, but I get really excited when I pack my lunch in one of the boxes that I have. Be sure to post pictures! Japanese or not, all inspire!

As I was browsing and looking, I somehow came across a link that sent me to flickr, it had pages of pictures showing bento lunches, I think I could get a lot of ideas from there.

[Kathleen]

Originally Posted by Merlot

As I was browsing and looking, I somehow came across a link that sent me to flickr, it had pages of pictures showing bento lunches, I think I could get a lot of ideas from there.

I found a group on Flickr too that focused on Laptop Lunch kits, which is the first set that I bought. I wanted pretty colors. Sad way to choose, isn't it? I will add that I've got no regrets in that though.

[Merlot]

Originally Posted by Kathleen

I found a group on Flickr too that focused on Laptop Lunch kits, which is the first set that I bought. I wanted pretty colors. Sad way to choose, isn't it? I will add that I've got no regrets in that though.

I had to force myself not to buy that colorful box, grey it was...

[Kathleen]

Originally Posted by Merlot

I had to force myself not to buy that colorful box, grey it was...

Oh, don't deprive yourself of color! The orange/red/pink one was adorable. You cannot have too many Bento boxes. Nor the fun toys that can go with them. Really.

[Merlot]

Originally Posted by Kathleen

Oh, don't deprive yourself of color! The orange/red/pink one was adorable. You cannot have too many Bento boxes. Nor the fun toys that can go with them. Really.

If I keep thinking about it, next friday, new payday I will get it along with other items I have found amongst the forums that I'm not sure how I have lived without.

[Kathleen]

Originally Posted by Merlot

If I keep thinking about it, next friday, new payday I will get it along with other items I have found amongst the forums that I'm not sure how I have lived without.

It really is super cute. Where did you find it? It almost looks like something more vintage!

[Merlot]

Originally Posted by Kathleen

It really is super cute. Where did you find it? It almost looks like something more vintage!

Amazon, where I buy everything! http://www.amazon.com/Vivo-Kids-Bent...591820&sr=1-22 This is actually the kids version, they have bigger ones too. My thought with the bigger ones was that I could just put small containers inside the box if it was something that needed to be taken out to heat up. (the reviews mentioned that) I'm going to talk myself into it...

[Kathleen]

Originally Posted by Merlot

Amazon, where I buy everything! Amazon.com: Vivo Kids Bento Box, Orange and Pink: Kitchen & Dining This is actually the kids version, they have bigger ones too. My thought with the bigger ones was that I could just put small containers inside the box if it was something that needed to be taken out to heat up. (the reviews mentioned that) I'm going to talk myself into it...

Talk yourself into it. *nods* What I have found is this: When I pack my lunch, I eat healthier, pack enough to hold me until I come home, and do not arrive home starving. Also, I generally will make time to eat, which I do not always do when I do not pack a lunch. Prior to this Bento thread, I would just throw something together like a sandwich, chips, etc. With the Bento, I actually think about what I will pack and I feel like I am six all over again when lunch time arrives. Perhaps that is odd, and a bit sad, but it is true. Lunch is fun again.

When I got the Bento set, I also started to "try to eat a rainbow" every day. Meaning that I would try to eat some sort of veggie or fruit in all colors: White/Beige, Yellow/Orange, Orange/Red, Purple/Blue, Green. When I do this, I know that I feel healthier than when I don't pack the lunch. So, if the colors, the silliness, the Hello Kitty extras, etc. do this for me, I encourage you to get what will make lunch fun (and healthy) for you too!

[Merlot]

I usually throw a sandwich and chips in a kroger bag. I will eat in the cafe when I forget a lunch and the option there is rarely healthy.

I like your ideas about the colors and it definitely makes a pretty picture!

I work with about 12 other therapists, all female except for one and almost everyone of them is on a diet. What I do see is them bringing a "healthy choice meal", eating it and then giving in by eating the free for all bag of chips on the table or just a "few" bites of chocolate laying around. I want to be healthy but enjoy my lunch as well and I know a lean cuisine isn't going to do it for me! Sadly enough, the box I really wanted is now on order I sware I have no self control.... I have the money so meh, I will be a happy girl. and the girls at work will be so envious, muhaaa.

Originally Posted by Kathleen

Talk yourself into it. *nods* What I have found is this: When I pack my lunch, I eat healthier, pack enough to hold me until I come home, and do not arrive home starving. Also, I generally will make time to eat, which I do not always do when I do not pack a lunch. Prior to this Bento thread, I would just throw something together like a sandwich, chips, etc. With the Bento, I actually think about what I will pack and I feel like I am six all over again when lunch time arrives. Perhaps that is odd, and a bit sad, but it is true. Lunch is fun again.

When I got the Bento set, I also started to "try to eat a rainbow" every day. Meaning that I would try to eat some sort of veggie or fruit in all colors: White/Beige, Yellow/Orange, Orange/Red, Purple/Blue, Green. When I do this, I know that I feel healthier than when I don't pack the lunch. So, if the colors, the silliness, the Hello Kitty extras, etc. do this for me, I encourage you to get what will make lunch fun (and healthy) for you too!

[spork]

Dang! I want that Rolling Stones lunchbox! Makes me want to tear into it come lunchtime.

It's fun putting it together in the morning, fun to eat, fun to reassemble emptied afterward. And, I too agree that it seems to encourage healthier eating. Less pre-made or processed stuff that just gets thrown into a paper bag. Less fastfood restaurants/cafeterias. More thought goes into its assembly = better food choices.

Don't worry at the start, Merlot, about fretting over what to put into it. The menus come easier as you build a repertoire of what works and what doesn't. As for the Japanese bento lunches I've posted, it's mostly simply because my marinara spaghetti lunches don't photograph as well.

Yay! Have fun, Merlot.