Meatball Bento

I'm obsessed with Bento box ideas.

With a small amount of several dishes making the perfect combination of a balanced meal, you can't go wrong! It's well known that Japanese bento's were meant to be a feast to the eyes first, so a lot of care is given to the dishes appearance as that is just as important to the overall eating experience as the tastes and smells are.

I'm still learning how to create balanced, visually beautiful bento's, but I think this one turned out pretty well! Hopefully with practice, I will just keep improving. You can rest assured that isn't the last bento you've seen from me. Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!

Bento includes:

Cooked Rice-

Eggs- rolled omelette (video demo coming soon)

Greens- (see more option for asian greens here: Greens)

Meatballs- (Japanese inspired)

Cucumber salad- (Korean inspired)

Butter Corn Spinach:

Spinach- chopped

corn- frozen or canned (I used frozen)

butter

salt & pepper

Heat butter in pan.

Add corn and then chopped spinach

Stir and add salt and pepper to taste.

As soon as spinach leaves have wilted, remove from heat.

Drain any excess liquid and enjoy!

For Meatballs:

1/2 ground beef

1/2 ground pork

1/2 small onion- chopped

knorrs- chicken boullion flavor

salt & pepper

1 egg

panko breadcrumbs

milk- a splash

Place all ingredients into a bowl and combine really well.

Roll into small inch size balls with your hands.

Heat oil in pan and cook meatballs on a low- medium heat, turning occassionally

When all side of the meatballs are a delicious looking charred color, remove and place on paper towel to absorb excess oil. Then add braising sauce to pan:

Meatball Braising Sauce:

soy sauce

Worcestershire

ketchup

sugar

rice wine 

water (add later)

Place all ingredients for sauce in a bowl and mix well.

When you've cooked your meatballs, leave oil in pan and pour in sauce

Heat and when little bubble form, place meatballs in sauce and let simmer, stirring occassionally to get well coated.

Sauce will thicken quickly, add a little water, but then let it thicken after that and you should be left with a delicious glaze on the meatballs.

For Cucumber salad:

Cucumber (chopped)

Green onions (chopped)

1 teaspoon Soy Sauce

1 teaspoon Sesame Oil

1 teaspoon Minced Garlic

Rice Vinegar

Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)

Sugar

Sesame Seeds

Chop up cucumber into small pieces and set aside in a bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients, mix well.

When combined, pour over cucumbers, mix and serve.