Friday, September 11, 2009

Around the World: Japan

Here it is, the final photograph from my new book! This was the Big Bento Box Photo Shoot, an epic day of cooking, set-up, and photography. I wanted to show every bento box menu I made for the Japan section of Around the World;I've been so inspired by Japanese bento culture, I couldn't leave anything out, and I also included lots of tips on how to make your own bento-style vegan lunch boxes.

Okay, let's start with the red Laptop Lunch Box: Zaru Soba (cold noodles with dipping broth) with Carrot and Daikon Salad, edamame, and persimmon.

In the pink bento box: Tofu Tamagoyaki with Potato Salad Balls, Octo-Celery (instead of the ubiquitous octodog, because vegan hot dogs won't curl, and celery is healthier anyway), Cucumber Sushi Rolls, cherry tomatoes, a Botan Rice Candy, and kiwi and watermelon stars.

In the small red bento with red apple side dish: Onigiri (rice formed into shapes by hand or with a mold), vegan chicken nuggets, Stir-Fried Arame with Carrots and Ginger (this is one of my favorite dishes from the entire book, btw - sooo good!!), Radish Rosettes, and Apple Bunnies.

Finally, in the two-tier kitty bento: Tofu Tiger on a bed of rice, Carrot-Cucumber Tulips, Broccoli Salad with Daikon Flowers, and some strawberries.

Except for the Laptop Lunch Box and the apple all these bento boxes were from I Love Obento!

Link: Vegan Lunch Box Around the World.

42 comments:

Kelly said...

Wow...the luch boxes, the contents! I am so putting your new book on my xmas list!
Congratualtions for introducing my kids to the delight of vegan sushi :D

Anju said...

Yum, yum, and double yum!! I'm particularly interested in the cold soba noodles with dipping broth - never seen that before. Too bad this is the last picture from the book :(

Sugar Skull said...

Looks amazing!

Unknown said...

I've been a fan of your blog since the first book published.
I'm Japanese (vegetarian) and I live in Pennsylvania with vegan husband and 6 yr old vegetarian boy.

I'm very honored to see this final photo!
And thank you very much to introduce beauty side of my culture!

では またね〜☆
カフェタクバ

This is my blog (in Japanese).

ベジ一家enアメリカ
http://ameblo.jp/jen0304/day-20090907.html

Erin Helgerson said...

So cute! I love that photo! I have your book in my shopping cart on Amazon for the next time I order! Hope you have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Wow! What a great spread. And such an inspiration. I may have the terror, I mean delight, of packing a 6 year old's lunch this year - eek! If so, you can rest assured I will be returning more frequently!

The Voracious Vegan said...

This is awesome, what an epic photo! You have so much delicious food packed into such cute little lunch boxes. Thank you for the amazing inspiration, you are so talented!

Unknown said...

Everything sounds and looks superdelicious! Good luck!

AMJ217 said...

Made your Savory Autumn Pie today! It's by far my favorite autumn recipe!! I posted pics on my blog!

http://vegetarianbuckeye.blogspot.com/

Vegan Wild Child said...

<3 it. Everything looks so yummy!

<3 Wild Child

Rachel said...

Wow you are amazing to come up with so many fantastic ideas. Good luck with the book, I am sure you will sell loads.

weezee said...

How did you become a cookbook author?

What are your credentials?

Noelley B said...

Yay! I've been going through your archives from the beginning, and I finally finished. I'm a honey almost vegan who just started packing lunches for my omni fiancé, I've found so much inspiration from your blog, and from all the fabulous site you link. I've got both of your books on my wishlist for Christmas this year.

Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with so many people!

Anonymous said...

so cute bento box!!

http://www.from-japan-with-love.com

Nachos said...

OMG octo-celery... why didn't I think of that???

Unknown said...

I am in love with your book. I myself work at Borders bookstore and I am constantly browsing the vegan, Veg and Raw side for ideas. Yours in most surely the best book on the shelf. Living in San Antonio Texas I dont really find much to eat and eating at school is a nightmare. You're book has made it so much easier to get through lunch time!

Jennifershmoo said...

Oh my gosh, thank you so much! That's so sweet of you! I'm so glad you like the book! :-)

Gena said...

Hey Jenn!

Awesome recipe, as always.

If you wouldn't mind, would you email me back to this comment? I'm writing with regards to a possible guest post for Kris Carr, and I would love to hear from you.

Thank you!

Gena (Choosing Raw)

Jahn, E. Drew said...

Everything looks wonderful! I'll have to pick up the book. :D

RhodeyGirl said...

I just came across your site for the first time and I can't wait to keep reading!!!!

Ashwini Inamdar-Rajpathak said...

nice blog!

here is my blog I update it everyday with my kids lunchbox.

http://kidslunchbox.blogspot.com/

Ashwini Inamdar-Rajpathak said...

here is another blog :
http://kidslunchbox.blogspot.com/

Julie Lynn said...

I recently received Vegan Lunch Box Around the World as a prize from the publisher. It's great! You have SO inspired my kids! They can't wait to recreate some of these fun recipes. =)

hapa bento said...

Thanks for the inspiration. I love, love the octo-celery, I found out the hard way that veggie dogs don't curl. Hehehe...

Lucy said...

Hi Jennifer,

I couldn't figure out how else to contact you, but I was wondering if you offer any wholesale/discount prices on your books for people interested in purchasing them in bulk to sell at their store? Thank you! :-)

Lucy

allie said...

This looks so good! I am new to bento so could you help me out? What do you do about heating meals? Most of the bento boxes I have been looking at are not microwave safe...

Allie

The Daily Reviewer said...

Hi!

Congratulations! Your readers have submitted and voted for your blog at The Daily Reviewer. We compiled an exclusive list of the Top 100 Vegan Blogs, and we are glad to let you know that your blog was included! You can see it at http://thedailyreviewer.com/top/vegan/2

You can claim your Top 100 Blogs Award here : http://thedailyreviewer.com/pages/badges/vegan

P.S. This is a one-time notice to let you know your blog was included in one of our Top 100 Blog categories. You might get notices if you are listed in two or more categories.

P.P.S. If for some reason you want your blog removed from our list, just send an email to angelina@thedailyreviewer.com with the subject line "REMOVE" and the link to your blog in the body of the message.

Cheers!

Angelina Mizaki
Selection Committee President
The Daily Reviewer
http://thedailyreviewer.com

Jody said...

Oh GREAT! Now I'm hungry.

:)

Jennifershmoo said...

>>What do you do about heating meals? Most of the bento boxes I have been looking at are not microwave safe...

You're right, you wouldn't want to microwave in most bento boxes. I would recommend putting the food on a plate to microwave it if you want something warm. I normally pack things I'm happy to eat cold in my bento and put hot foods in a thermos. Hope that helps!

George Wrighster said...

NFL player goes vegan!!! http://tightend.blogspot.com/

Vegan Dad said...

Did you see this, Jennifer? Woody loves you!

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/woody-harrelson-vegan-twinkies.html

Anonymous said...

LOOKS GREAT! :)

Sarah Gracious said...

I love it! It's adorable, and making me hungry. (:

Tera Dactyl said...

what a crazy coinkydink! i just lost my "vegan lunch box", so i was on the interwebs looking for blogs to help me out, as i'd only lightly flipped through it, and you turn up! i didn't know you had a blog, but now that i do, i'll have to go back out and get BOTH of your books. thanks for having tasty things!

Anonymous said...

HOKA HOKA BENTO

Zul said...

Dear, I feel hungry... please give me some...

Cheers!
fivezull
One Drop Perfumes
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vanessa said...

Hi Jennifer,
I was noticing that the magic loaf studio is down, just wondering if it will be coming back.

Thanks!

BCP said...

This looks amazing!

blog backgrounds

Shanna said...

I love your book! I own it (Vegan Lunch Box), and I love all of your stuff... As my side job (other than a stay at home mom) is making banners for blogs like yours! My blog is http://sbrawner.blogspot.com and my banner site is http://custombannercreation.blogspost.com I'd love to make a banner for you to make your site as colorful as your meals!

rObrak said...

That was a full meal but hey, are you using plastic containers or plastic ware? Am I rght? If so, that's unhealthy. Try using stainless steel containers it can help you be on the safe side when eating your packed lunch. How? Because plastic containers have harmful toxic that can bring you impairment in your health, as well as in our environment. I know a very wonderful container that is safe and convenient to use, that is - the stainless steel latch tiffin, offered by Happy Tiffin (http://www.happytiffin.com) It's extremely awesome because the design is very stylish and trendy but you don't have to worry, its economical so affordable. And you can store your favorite snacks there without needing to mix it all together just to fit it in the container. By having it as your lunch buddy, you can also support our environment, and together we can build a green world. Isn't it cool?

Blogger said...

Hi,

Japanese food I have tried is sushi. First eat, I got my stomach aid. But it very tasty!

Cheers,
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Anonymous said...

so cute!I love it! Very creative!That's actually really cool.
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