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Bento Power: Brilliantly Balanced Lunchbox Recipes
Many people bring their lunch to work to save money, time and to help control what they are eating (with no hidden nasties from processed shop-bought food), but sometimes it's hard to think of interesting, nutritious things to make.
Sara has come to the rescue with her vibrant, fun and inspirational approach to lunch boxes. She concentrates on having 5 clear elements: complex carbs, protein, fruit and veg, and sprinkles as well as the 5 colours used in authentic Japanese cooking: red, white, black, yellow and green. With just a few essential ingredients, you add your extras to create highly nutritious, vegetarian, colourful boxes of joy.
Sara includes ideas for bento breakfast boxes (Sesame Snap Granola Bento and Mighty Muesli), 15-minute bento (Busy Days Instant Noodles and Lazy Tamago Bento), Everyday bento (Red Velvet Quinoa Bento, Green Theme Bento and Zen Bento) and the Fantasy bento (Starry Sky Bento and Fairy Jewel Box Bento).
With tips on how to stock your bento store-cupboard and basic ingredients and recipes to get you going, now is the time for bento to bounce into your breakfast, lunch box, or even into your dinner parties, filling you with Bento Power!
www.shisodelicious.com @shisodelicious
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2018
201 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 3, 2020
An excellent book if you enjoy Japanese fusion style, meatless meals. Love the emphasis on color and texture.
4/5 stars
4/5 stars
February 2, 2019
Gorgeous recipes, aesthetically pleasing. Looking forward to my next trip to the chinese supermarket to stock up on goodies
April 30, 2019
A few days a week she stays at her preschool group over lunch and I've tried the lunch that I ate for many, many years as a kid but for my daughter that lunch is a take-it-or-leave-it kind of prospect. I wanted to get this lunch thing organized before she heads off to school in the fall. And, with the number of allergies in any given classroom anything nut-based is out. In mind my I had come to a conclusion: time to think outside the box (or lunchbox as it were). Maybe it's time that I look to other's experiences and expertise when it comes to packing a lunch! This is how I found Sara Kiyo Popowa's (of the blog Shiso Delicious) Bento Power -- a book influenced by Kiyo Popowa's Japanese roots, dedicated to filling your lunchbox with gorgeous, delicious, and well-balanced meals.
In this time and place where self-care, mindful eating, and minimal/no waste is at the top of many people's minds I feel that Bento Power checks all these boxes. Throughout the introduction Kiyo Popowa tells her story of growing up in Sweden as a "non-Swedish " kid (as she had Bulgarian and Japanese heritage). After going to Japan as an exchange student, it was there where she experienced bento through the beautiful and carefully constructed lunches made by her host family mother. Traditional bento consists of a few elements -- rice/noodles, fish/meat, and pickled/cooked vegetables. What Kiyo Popowa has done is to take the idea of building a bento box and come up with her own way of creating a bento. What started as an Instagram endeavour has turned into a blog and book. The structure and ritual of a bento is key -- but it's in the ingredients where Kiyo Popowa diverged from convention. Her bentos rely on firmly plant-based ingredients (no meat or fish), and unlike traditional bentos she uses raw vegetables, pulses, and nuts. At the beginning of Bento Power, she takes the time to outline what food/ingredients are used, how the food is packed, what equipment, tools, and accessories are used, and the basics of the ritual that is bento.
One of the initiatives that we promoted at school when I was a teacher was the notion of a "litterless lunch." Parents and children were encouraged to use more reusable packaging so there was less to throw out. At that time, it was a bit of a hard-sell but as I see now on a daily-basis on Instagram, people are looking for ways to lessen their impact or "footprint" on the environment. Kiyo Popowa goes into length how she is looking at issues of sustainability in her life and how this relates to her lunches. I really appreciate how she motivates people with her ideas of environmental awareness, shopping locally, making what you need, buying in bulk, and plant-based diets. Her discussion is thoughtful and as I read through her book, I began to think about how I could improve.
The recipes are organized into 5 chapters: Base Recipes, Breakfast & Sweet Bento, 15-Minute Bento, Everyday Bento, and Fantasy Bento. Any ingredients she uses which might be new to some she takes the time to explain at the end of the book. I found grocery shopping for the ingredients to be simple. Here in Nova Scotia (which is surrounded by ocean) there is a huge selection of nori, dulse, and the like. Having these ingredients in my pantry already I am glad to find other ways to incorporate them into our meals. And, while Kiyo Popowa gives recipes for all types of different bento combinations there's no reason why you can't substitute ingredients should you be unable to find a component. While she adheres to the physical structure of the bento, I feel as though you can customize it any way you'd like.
Back to my quest for building up my arsenal of lunch options for my daughter. First and foremost, I made the cutest, most kid-appealing lunch in the whole book: Fluffy Grain-free Pancakes w/ Overnight Chia Jam. What the recipe title isn't telling you is that Kiyo Popowa has formed the pancakes into bears while cooking them and then added cute chocolate eyes and a mouth. All things my daughter enjoys eating and packed in a lunchbox making it even better! The pancakes themselves (being grain-free) are made of blended cashews, eggs, baking powder, salt, and water. So, while this recipe isn't allergy-friendly for school consumption I'll be using Kiyo Popowa's idea but making the bear-cakes out of a nut-free recipe.
Another recipe I tried out on my daughter was the "After the Show Bento" consisting of Tofu Sandwich Skewers and Tamago-yaki (rolled omelet). I know that I've used some pretty intense skewer sticks in the picture (it was for the 'gram in this case, but irl I'd use something more school-friendly). My daughter really enjoyed the smoked tofu layered with the cucumber, mint, and mango -- what kid doesn't enjoy finger food. But the real star of this bento is the Tamago-yaki. Made of eggs, water, a bit of sugar, and a splash of tamari, the Tamago-yaki is a rolled omelet that is created as you make very thin crepe-like omelets and roll each layer into the roll until you've used up all the egg mixture. Kiyo Popowa has included helpful step-by-step instructions and pictures in the book. Afterwards you tightly roll the entire omelet in parchment paper until it's cooled. Then you can slice it and pack it in your box. I can't express how much my daughter loved this! It'll be something I definitely pack in her lunch.
Even while focusing on my daughter, I've found a few recipes to make and enjoy myself. Kiyo Popowa's Scoop-and-go Overnight Mix is great! While I love overnight oats, I find that at night I'm tired (or lazy) and don't quite feel like measuring out ingredients. What Kiyo Popowa has done here is to develop a mix of ingredients (oats, almond meal, seeds, cacao nibs...) so that all you must do is take it from the jar and add the liquid. I've been making it with homemade oat milk, and it's been the prefect breakfast for busy mornings. Other breakfast recipes from Bento Power that I've been wallowing in are: Sesame Snap Granola and the Breakfast Granola Crumble. Since my daughter is currently in the hate of her love/hate relationship with oatmeal and granola I've kept these beauties to myself.
As I've learned cooking through Bento Power the act of making a bento is all about love -- for yourself and your family. Choosing ingredients, making components, and packing them in special containers is one way to improve your outlook and health, as Kiyo Popowa says that it has done for her and her husband. I really appreciate all the inspiration, delicious food, and information I've gained from Bento Power.
Please note that this is an excerpt of a review posted to www.shipshapeeatworthy.wordpress.com
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Manda Group for providing me with a free, review copy of this book. I did not receive monetary compensation for my post, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
In this time and place where self-care, mindful eating, and minimal/no waste is at the top of many people's minds I feel that Bento Power checks all these boxes. Throughout the introduction Kiyo Popowa tells her story of growing up in Sweden as a "non-Swedish " kid (as she had Bulgarian and Japanese heritage). After going to Japan as an exchange student, it was there where she experienced bento through the beautiful and carefully constructed lunches made by her host family mother. Traditional bento consists of a few elements -- rice/noodles, fish/meat, and pickled/cooked vegetables. What Kiyo Popowa has done is to take the idea of building a bento box and come up with her own way of creating a bento. What started as an Instagram endeavour has turned into a blog and book. The structure and ritual of a bento is key -- but it's in the ingredients where Kiyo Popowa diverged from convention. Her bentos rely on firmly plant-based ingredients (no meat or fish), and unlike traditional bentos she uses raw vegetables, pulses, and nuts. At the beginning of Bento Power, she takes the time to outline what food/ingredients are used, how the food is packed, what equipment, tools, and accessories are used, and the basics of the ritual that is bento.
One of the initiatives that we promoted at school when I was a teacher was the notion of a "litterless lunch." Parents and children were encouraged to use more reusable packaging so there was less to throw out. At that time, it was a bit of a hard-sell but as I see now on a daily-basis on Instagram, people are looking for ways to lessen their impact or "footprint" on the environment. Kiyo Popowa goes into length how she is looking at issues of sustainability in her life and how this relates to her lunches. I really appreciate how she motivates people with her ideas of environmental awareness, shopping locally, making what you need, buying in bulk, and plant-based diets. Her discussion is thoughtful and as I read through her book, I began to think about how I could improve.
The recipes are organized into 5 chapters: Base Recipes, Breakfast & Sweet Bento, 15-Minute Bento, Everyday Bento, and Fantasy Bento. Any ingredients she uses which might be new to some she takes the time to explain at the end of the book. I found grocery shopping for the ingredients to be simple. Here in Nova Scotia (which is surrounded by ocean) there is a huge selection of nori, dulse, and the like. Having these ingredients in my pantry already I am glad to find other ways to incorporate them into our meals. And, while Kiyo Popowa gives recipes for all types of different bento combinations there's no reason why you can't substitute ingredients should you be unable to find a component. While she adheres to the physical structure of the bento, I feel as though you can customize it any way you'd like.
Back to my quest for building up my arsenal of lunch options for my daughter. First and foremost, I made the cutest, most kid-appealing lunch in the whole book: Fluffy Grain-free Pancakes w/ Overnight Chia Jam. What the recipe title isn't telling you is that Kiyo Popowa has formed the pancakes into bears while cooking them and then added cute chocolate eyes and a mouth. All things my daughter enjoys eating and packed in a lunchbox making it even better! The pancakes themselves (being grain-free) are made of blended cashews, eggs, baking powder, salt, and water. So, while this recipe isn't allergy-friendly for school consumption I'll be using Kiyo Popowa's idea but making the bear-cakes out of a nut-free recipe.
Another recipe I tried out on my daughter was the "After the Show Bento" consisting of Tofu Sandwich Skewers and Tamago-yaki (rolled omelet). I know that I've used some pretty intense skewer sticks in the picture (it was for the 'gram in this case, but irl I'd use something more school-friendly). My daughter really enjoyed the smoked tofu layered with the cucumber, mint, and mango -- what kid doesn't enjoy finger food. But the real star of this bento is the Tamago-yaki. Made of eggs, water, a bit of sugar, and a splash of tamari, the Tamago-yaki is a rolled omelet that is created as you make very thin crepe-like omelets and roll each layer into the roll until you've used up all the egg mixture. Kiyo Popowa has included helpful step-by-step instructions and pictures in the book. Afterwards you tightly roll the entire omelet in parchment paper until it's cooled. Then you can slice it and pack it in your box. I can't express how much my daughter loved this! It'll be something I definitely pack in her lunch.
Even while focusing on my daughter, I've found a few recipes to make and enjoy myself. Kiyo Popowa's Scoop-and-go Overnight Mix is great! While I love overnight oats, I find that at night I'm tired (or lazy) and don't quite feel like measuring out ingredients. What Kiyo Popowa has done here is to develop a mix of ingredients (oats, almond meal, seeds, cacao nibs...) so that all you must do is take it from the jar and add the liquid. I've been making it with homemade oat milk, and it's been the prefect breakfast for busy mornings. Other breakfast recipes from Bento Power that I've been wallowing in are: Sesame Snap Granola and the Breakfast Granola Crumble. Since my daughter is currently in the hate of her love/hate relationship with oatmeal and granola I've kept these beauties to myself.
As I've learned cooking through Bento Power the act of making a bento is all about love -- for yourself and your family. Choosing ingredients, making components, and packing them in special containers is one way to improve your outlook and health, as Kiyo Popowa says that it has done for her and her husband. I really appreciate all the inspiration, delicious food, and information I've gained from Bento Power.
Please note that this is an excerpt of a review posted to www.shipshapeeatworthy.wordpress.com
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Manda Group for providing me with a free, review copy of this book. I did not receive monetary compensation for my post, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
January 31, 2019
I want to make everything in this book
It's healthy, looks delicious, and has so many exciting flavour combinations.
Really excellent for vegetarian options, especially looking for decent protein rich meals
It's healthy, looks delicious, and has so many exciting flavour combinations.
Really excellent for vegetarian options, especially looking for decent protein rich meals
March 4, 2019
I love everything about this book. I like the concept, the images, the layout, the recipes, if I have one small niggle it would be that the type is a tad too small.
October 26, 2022
I really enjoyed this, less for the specific recipes and more for the inspiration. I find lunch making tiresome and often pick up recipe books in the hope that it will inspire me and this really did. The focus on making parts and then mix matching them was really helpful to me.
I particularly liked the furikake and seed/nut recipes for sprinkling on top of things. I also found that the combination of being vegan and low/no onion really worked for me personally.
I particularly liked the furikake and seed/nut recipes for sprinkling on top of things. I also found that the combination of being vegan and low/no onion really worked for me personally.
December 31, 2020
Not often do I read a cook book cover to cover but I did with this as fed up with boring, repetitive lunches...this has inspired me. It's a lovely book. I now have a Bento box, chopsticks and a very different routine.
August 6, 2019
All the recipes look and sound DELICIOUS. I want to eat them all. However, I was hoping to see simpler recipes with fewer specialty ingredients.
August 15, 2019
Beautiful photos and interesting ideas, I'm not adventurous enough for most of it but it's good to have options!
January 7, 2020
Beautiful pictures.
April 19, 2021
Great book on how to create vegan bento boxes
June 22, 2022
Some interesting recipes, but nothing that I wanted to cook.
July 5, 2022
There are a lot of good ideas for quick and easy meals in here, but I feel like everything in this cookbook would leave me hungry after eating it
September 21, 2019
One of the most visually stunning cookbooks I have ever read.
December 28, 2018
Happy with this cookbook, as it is one of the few plantbased/vegan ones out there.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews