Getting rid of plastic in your kitchen (bento/ lunchboxes)

It wasn't until I decided to get rid of (or at least minimise) plastic containers in my kitchen that I realised how heavily I relied on them for storage and other uses. If you are thinking of doing the same I've listed some tips below.

Tips:
- Don't attempt to remove all plastic containers at one time as it will cost money to do this. Try to build up your stock of non-plastic containers and reduce your plastic containers over a few months.
- Remember that plastic becomes increasingly dangerous in extreme hot or cold conditions so try to replace this type of storage first i.e. plastic containers in the freezer, plastic containers used in the microwave etc.
- Be creative and think of budget friendly ways to collect non-plastic containers e.g. re-using  jam jars, glass bottles, biscuit tins etc
- Shop around and look out for sales and coupon offers in supermarkets/ petrol stations. It will make a big difference if you can buy these items at a reduced price yet not compromise on quality.
- Talk to family and friends you'll be surprised what you can learn from them. I was motivated to do this after talking to my friend who had started this already.

Where can I buy non-plastic storage containers and lunchboxes (bento):

- ECOlunchboxes.com (stainless steel bento/ lunchboxes)
This company is based in the US. If you order through their website from the EU you will be required to pay import duties and VAT. You can also buy ECOlunchboxes through amazon.co.uk or amazon.com.

- Amazon.co.uk/Amazon.com
Have a wide range of stainless steel and glass containers including a brand called Indian-Tiffin bento/ lunchboxes.

- Tefal
Have a range of glass storage containers with a plastic (non-leak) lid.  Although the lid is plastic usually the food doesn't make contact with the lid so it's a nice compromise. Also these containers are ideal for packed lunches if you have liquids such as dressings, sauces etc.

- IKEA
Have a great selection of glass bottles and different sized glass jars.

What's wrong with plastic?
I'm still learning  and don't claim to know everything about this topic so please feel free to educate me! In summary there's a mix of chemicals in plastic containers which can leak into the food stored in these containers. The risk of this happening can increase when plastic is heated (e.g. put in microwave), old & scratched, washed in dishwasher etc.

If you have any tips on this topic or know other places that sell non-plastic containers please let me know via a comment on this post.

Remember that reducing our use of plastic will help the environment too!

Thanks Fiona

Hanami in the Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens

Last month my family and I went to the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens to practice the Japanese custom of hanami (cherry blossom viewing). Natalia from Smiles! Photography also came along to capture the beauty of the flowers and surroundings so I can share them here with you. 

When I lived in Japan I got a real insight into how Japanese people celebrate hanami by taking part in it with my Japanese friends and also my work colleagues. I remember the most junior member of staff had to sit under a tree most of the day to make sure we had the best spot for hanami after work. Hanami is enjoyed by sitting under a cherry blossom tree or nearby and appreciating the beauty of them while eating a packed bento with drinks. Here's a picture of our dog, Jackie enjoying hanami!! 

This is the perfect place to spend time with family or friends. I'd recommend bringing a picnic along and enjoying it on the benches in the car-park as you drive in or pack a picnic blanket to sit on the grass. We brought along a packed bento including homemade panko coated fish goujons, onigiri (rice balls) sprinkled with furikake and a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Notes:
- To see more about the Irish National Stud & Japanese gardens click on the link below:
http://irishnationalstud.ie/
- Thanks to Smiles! Photography for taking the photos of our family day in the Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens. The copyright for these photos belongs to Smiles! Photography and Fiona Uyema so please ask for permission if you'd like to use them. 

CHICKEN TERIYAKI BENTO RECIPE

This week I received a lovely present for my little boy's 2nd birthday from my friend in Japan. She sent a Japanese character bento box with lots of bento accessories. This inspired me to create my own bento and share it with you. As always I've tried to make it as simple as possible so you'll try it at home. You can use a basic lunch box for this but if you like the Japanese style bento boxes and accessories you can buy these online.

I mentioned in a previous post that bento is an important part of Japanese culture. In Japan they believe that when a mother makes a bento for her children it's an expression of her love. Japanese mothers get up quite early to prepare bento for their children which are animated, colourful and nutritionally balanced. Leftovers from the previous night's dinner are usually used for bento so it's a good idea to make a little extra. Bento can be used for a school or work lunch but it's also great at this time of year for a summer picnic. 

INGREDIENTS:
1 x portion of boiled rice
Chicken teriyaki
- 1 x chicken breast (preferable organic or free range)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
Vegetable oil (for frying) 
Piece of steamed brocolli
2 x cherry tomatoes (halved)
2 x strawberries 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. If you want to use Japanese rice, click here to see how to prepare and cook Japanese rice. You can use any type of rice for a bento box. 

2. Cut the chicken breast into bite size cubes.

3. Put the soy sauce, sake and sugar in a bowl and mix well. 

4. Then add the chicken pieces and stir so the chicken pieces are completely covered in the marinade. 

5. Place in the fridge for 15-30 minutes or a few hours if you have time. 

6. Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a frying pan on medium heat. 

7. Place the chicken pieces on the frying pan and pour all of the remaining teriyaki marinade onto the pan. 

8. Turn the chicken pieces after a few minutes then continue to cook turning a few times until the teriyaki sauce becomes thick and sticky.

9. In a lunchbox, arrange the rice, chicken teriyaki pieces, brocolli, tomatoes and strawberries as shown in the picture. You can use paper cupcake cases for the chicken and strawberries and toothpicks for the cherry tomatoes.

NOTES:
Bento and food safety
- there's a fantastic website dedicated to bento recipes called justbento. Click here to go straight to a post on this site called "keeping your bento lunch safe". It gives practical tips and advice on how to store and reheat food for bento lunch.

BENTO - JAPANESE STYLE LUNCHBOX

Japanese people take great pride in preparing bento for their families. Many Japanese mothers get up quite early in the morning to make bento. They put a lot of effort and time into creating a bento that is nutritionally balanced, tastes great and looks appealing. In Japan, the appearance of the food is just as important as the taste! Generally, the bento will have rice, fish or meat and some kind of vegetable or fruit. Since the bento box is divided into different compartments various dishes can be stored in the box together.

It is surprising how quickly you can become immersed in this bento culture. When I lived in Japan the thoughts of bringing my bento to work every day seemed like a chore but it didn't take long before I was looking forward to making my bento every night.

Here is a bento that I made for my family at the weekend. It is served in a bento box used by Japanese restaurants and can be used to serve a Japanese meal at home. I bought this online from Amazon! The bento box used for work/ school lunches is smaller and more compact.

BENTO BOX MENU

1. Japanese rice - click here to see my post on how to cook Japanese rice. You can use any type of rice of this meal.

2. Japanese style pan fried cod fillet 
Ingredients:
1 tbsp vegetable oil or rapeseed oil (for frying)
Cod fillet
2 tbsp sake

Pinch of salt

Thumb size piece of ginger root (peeled and finely grated) 
2 tbsp Japanese soy sauce

Instructions:
Marinate the cod in sake and salt. Leave for about 10 minutes before frying.
Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium to high heat. 
Place the cod on the pan and seal one side by frying for a minute or so. Then turn the cod over and seal the other side. 
Reduce the heat and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or less. 
Mix the ginger and soy sauce together in a small bowl and then pour over the fish when ready to eat. 

3. Japanese style stir fried spinach/pak choi with beansprouts

Ingredients: 
1 tbsp vegetable oil or rapeseed oil (for frying)
2 large garlic cloves (peeled and finely grated)
Thumbsize piece of ginger (peeled and finely grated)
200g Spinach/ Pak choi
200g Beansprouts

Seasoning (mix all in a bowl together):
2 tbsp sake (Japanese rice wine)
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
2 tsp caster sugar

Roasted sesame seeds (optional to garnish)

Instructions:
Heat the oil in a heavy based saucepan on medium to high heat. 
Add the garlic and fry for about 10 seconds. The quickly add the ginger and fry for another 10 seconds.
Toss in the beansprouts and stir. 
After less than one minute add the spinach. 
Pour the seasoning evenly over the vegetables. 
Fry for a few minutes until the seasoning has absorbed into the vegetables.
When ready to serve sprinkle roasted sesame seeds over the vegetables. 

4. Sliced melon and mango sprinkled with pomegranate (Japanese people often eat fruit as dessert)
Ingredients:
Honeydew melon 
Mango
Handful of pomegranate seeds

Instructions:
Peel and cut the chilled melon and mango into small bite size cubes.
Toss a handful of pomegranate seeds over the fruit salad.

How to eat:
Bento goes well with miso soup if you're eating it at home or in a restaurant.

Tips:
Pack a smaller version of this bento into a lunch box by using cupcake cases or tinfoil to separate the dishes.
Be adventurous by swapping the dishes in this bento with your favourite Japanese dishes.

Why not:
You can get takeaway bentos in a few places in Dublin including Kokoro on Lower Liffey Street in Dublin http://kokorosushibento.com/
Musashi noodle and sushi bar and Michie sushi in Dublin, Ireland have a reasonably priced bento lunch deal