Bento? - Edit 2
Before modification by DomA at 11/05/2012 01:10:32 PM
I'm trying to eat less wheat because it makes me fall asleep but it makes lunch a lot more tricksy, especially when I'm out and about. Sandwiches, wraps, couscous, uh, stuff like that: Right Out.
Now I have leftovers for lunch reasonably often but need ideas for things to have when I don't have any. I'm not talking vague things like salad, because I've got the vague covered. Particular things you buy to use as snacks or to make into lunchings would be very useful. I think I have forgotten how to shop for food other than meat, vegetables, milk and juice.
Thanks!
~Z
Now I have leftovers for lunch reasonably often but need ideas for things to have when I don't have any. I'm not talking vague things like salad, because I've got the vague covered. Particular things you buy to use as snacks or to make into lunchings would be very useful. I think I have forgotten how to shop for food other than meat, vegetables, milk and juice.
Thanks!
~Z
It's basically japanese lunch on the go traditions, but the Just Bento site in particular also has tons of ideas for westerners, and many non-japanese or barely japanese food (eg: mini-burgers). Tips, planning advice, basic principles and tons of recipes. A great deal of her recipes are also wheat-free, and more than that are close enough if you simply want to cut it out rather than suffer from an intolerance and must avoid gluten altogether (like in the less obvious products, like soy sauce).
I've adopted bentos for lunch years ago (I even make them for the days I work from home, so much simpler/efficient that way). It's not for everyone as it does require some planning ahead (it's much easier if you're alone and don't have to plan lunch for a family), but once you're used to it it's easy and cheap (especially if you follow her advice and build a freezer stash, often by making extras for dinner on purpose and freezing portions that become main or side components for lunch). Maki has a very practical approach to bento, not focussed much on gear and not at all on crazy decoration, just well-balanced, tasty and simple lunches. We don't have much of a tradition for eating food at room temperature in North America, often it's just because as we eat mostly hot dishes, we don't know how to season them so they're just as good at room temperature. That tends to limit us to leftovers and a few lunch options like sandwiches. Even without following bento techniques or gearing up at all etc, there are many useful lunch ideas on that site.
You also don't have to change all your habits just to cut down on wheat-based products. You can perfectly make wraps with rice sheets (spring roll stuffing don't need to be Asian-style at all - you can just as well use turkey/cheese/salad/mayo or whatever you fancy in there) or using corn-based tortillas, and quinoa can be an alternative to couscous.