Speedy Bento Box 4
Another speedy bento of the series that will only take you 15- 20 minutes to prepare using leftovers.
Ready, set, go!
Grilled Shoyu Salmon Patties Speed Bento 4
Pop one serving of frozen rice in the microwave for 3 minutes.
Slice cucumbers, toss in salt, mirin and set aside. As an option, I used a fork to quickly score the cucumber before cutting to add visual interest instead of peeling.
Pre-heat skillet.
1-3 minutes
Cut 1/2 cup of baked tofu and arrange at one end of the top tier. Garnish with furikake.
Remove the rice from the micro and spread evenly to one side of the bento box. Let it cool.
3-4 minutes (elapsed time 4-7 minutes)
Place a pre-cooked salmon patty in the hot skillet and add a splash of shoyu for flavor.
Steam a handful of snap peas or other green veggie in the microwave for 1 minute. Remove and let cool.
Flip the salmon patty and cook the other side.
5-6 minutes (elapsed time 9-13 minutes)
Pat the cucumbers dry and arrange next to the cut tofu.
Add sliced carrots. I used leftover roasted carrots, but raw is good too.
Remove the salmon from the skillet, cut in half and let cool. ( I placed it in the fridge for a couple of minutes)
Fill the remaining space with the cooled snap peas. Add sesame seeds. ( I keep a container of pre-toasted)
Add almonds or other shelled nuts.
Place a piece of lettuce leaf next to the cooled rice and tuck in an umeboshi.
Option: Punch out some nori flowers and cut flower shape from tofu.
Lay the salmon on the lettuce baran.
6-7 minutes (elapsed time 15-20 minutes)
There are many substitutions for this speedy bento. Sausage or garden burgers would work just as well and you can also skip the skillet part and re-heat in the microwave.
With practice you’ll be able to condense the time even more by always having pre-cut veggies and frozen foods in your bento-stash. This speedy bento is an example of how easily leftovers can be transformed into a pretty decent bento box lunch!
The next time you put away your dinner leftovers think about how you could pack them in a bento box instead!
I love all of your speedy bentos! You have proved time and time again that great food doesn’t have to be time consuming.
Thanks Susan, you’re always ready with a nice comment for me.
I wish I could spend a week with you just watching and learning from you. I tried a bento this morning from leftovers and it just didn’t work well for me I needed you! Lol! I love all your cleaver ideas!
Hi Lyndsey, Thanks for commenting. Please keep trying you’ll get the “hang of it”.
In the meantime, if you’d like some feedback… What didn’t work well for you? What kind of leftovers were they? Tell us what you packed and we can provide some tips.
You always have such clever ideas! Very nice!
Hi Melissa! Thanks for your nice comment.
Artistic, speedy and stylish bento..this one has a very pleasing casual elegance. Thanks for showing us how fast a really satisfying, healthful, pretty lunch can be!
Dear Debra!
Greetings!
This bento might be a “spedy” one, but it certainly has hreat balance, be it with ingredients and colours/design!
Great stuff!
Best regards,
Robert-Gilles
Greetings! Thank you for your supportive comments!
It has been fun to see your speedy bento posts. So inspired! You make it so quick and easy for us Debra
Wow…this looks so healthy and delicious, and I love that it’s speedy, too! You’re always inspiring me to cook healthier for my kids!
Hi Kristy-Welcome to our bento blog! Thanks for your kind comments… I ‘ll be looking to “The Wicked Noodle” for inspiration as well.
This looks lovely – you inspire me to put more variety in my bentos! Gorgeous!
Awww Lexi, Thanks for your kind words of support!