An admirer of all things gourmet, both versatile and open to any cultural offering, seeks a foodie for companionship. This owner of international table "real estate" likes to be held. No, that's not a personal ad, but rather an introduction to the world of bento. In its simplest terms, bento (or the more formal obento or the stackable jubako) is what Japanese mothers deem a homemade, boxed, single-portion meal.
There are many types of bento, each for its own occasion, but when an alternative to eating out is required, bento is a novel concept. Although most Japanese people do not spend hours preparing bento, the more modern "art bento" is quite competitive. "Art bento" transforms meals into a visual, multi-ingredient experience. It's much more than a boxed sensory delight for your palette; art bento is a call to action for all sandwich artisans and frugal cooks everywhere.
The simplistic notion of bento is deceptive. When appropriately planned, it offers a cure for obesity, a remedy for belly boredom, an eco-friendly alternative to BPA-laden plastic take-out containers — and it's mildly addictive. Simply put, bento is Pandora's box. Once you've tried it, your discretionary income earmarked for food will never again be depleted.
The art of Bento has many facets — portion size, the ability to tantalize the eye, the use of fresh ingredients and a challenge for imagination in order to repurpose leftovers. But for many college students and working professionals, bento is a means to save money.
AU's meal plan options range from $1300 to $2300 per semester and according to a 2008 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the average American household spends $3,744 on food each year. When desperate times call for desperate means, budget bento allows you to free the take-out junkie within and learn to recreate your favorite meals. From the ginger carrot salad served at Benihana to a few pre-cooked Trader Joe's favorites like the marsala veggie burgers or a herb-crusted salmon pita sandwiches, bento can house it all — and, for the price of the ingredients, you can eat like royalty for a week instead of an hour.
Whether you just need to save some dough or simply spice up your diet, there are three ways to incorporate bento into your daily digestion. First, bento boxes make great Valentine's Day gifts and can be purchased at sites like www.laptoplunches.com or www.justbento.com. Second, be green with bento. You can eat confidently, knowing that by using your bento box and cutlery set, you are lowering your carbon footprint — reduce, recycle and reuse. And third, be global with bento. You can use many kinds of different food staples to create an international eating experience, ranging from brown rice (Asia) to pico de gallo (South America). For recipes, visit www.cookingcute.com or www.lunchinabox.net.
You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.
