Here’s a simple and healthy bento box lunch recipe along with instructions on how to prepare it:
Ingredients:
For the Bento Box:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice
- 1 small cucumber, sliced
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup edamame (shelled)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 4-6 slices of grilled chicken breast or tofu (optional)
- 2 boiled eggs (optional)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free option)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Cook quinoa or brown rice according to package instructions and let it cool.
- Slice cucumber, bell pepper, and avocado.
- Julienne the carrot.
- Boil eggs (if using) until they’re hard-boiled, then peel and halve them.
2. Make the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Adjust the ingredients according to your taste preferences.
3. Assemble the Bento Box:
- Divide the cooled quinoa or brown rice evenly into one section of the bento box.
- Arrange the sliced cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, julienned carrot, edamame, avocado slices, grilled chicken breast or tofu (if using), and boiled eggs (if using) in separate sections of the bento box.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds over the avocado slices and grilled chicken or tofu for garnish.
- Optionally, you can drizzle some of the sauce over the veggies and protein.
4. Pack and Enjoy:
- Seal the bento box and pack it along with an ice pack to keep it fresh until lunchtime.
- When ready to eat, drizzle the remaining sauce over the contents of the bento box and enjoy your healthy and delicious meal!
Feel free to customize this recipe with your favorite veggies, protein sources, or sauce variations. Enjoy your bento box lunch!
