Bento for Beginners

Think inside the box--the beginner's guide to tasty bento boxes

Easy, tasty, and healthy are three great aspects of any good meal. Combine them all together--in an easy to-go box--and you have the beauty of bento. In Bento for Beginners, you'll learn how this Japanese culinary art can help you build 60 appetizing, well-balanced lunches that can be taken just about anywhere.

In addition to recipes, the book is filled with tons of tips and tricks on streamlining prep time, how to improve the storage life of your ingredients (without using preservatives), the right containers to use, and what foods make the best (and easiest) fusion dishes. There's so much to savor in these to-go treasure boxes.

Bento for Beginners includes:

• Best of both worlds--Enjoy classic homemade Japanese foods as well as staples from Western and American cuisine.
• Off-the-shelf--Create lunches you'll be excited to eat using easy-to-find ingredients available at the grocery store.
• Save money--Put an end to spending $5 to $10 a day on lunch--the average cost of a filling homemade Japanese bento is about $1.85.

In the world of bento books, this one can take you to tasty new heights.

Think inside the box the beginners guide to tasty bento boxes. Easy, tasty, and healthy are three great aspects of any good meal. Combine them all together in an easy to-go box and you have the beauty of bento. In Bento for Beginners, you'll learn how this Japanese culinary art can help you build 60 appetizing, well-balanced lunches that can be taken just about anywhere. In addition to recipes, the book is filled with tons of tips and tricks on streamlining prep time, how to improve the storage life of your ingredients (without using preservatives), the right containers to use, and what foods make the best (and easiest) fusion dishes. Theres so much to savor in these to-go treasure boxes. Bento for Beginners includes: Best of both worlds Enjoy classic homemade Japanese foods as well as staples from Western and American cuisine. Off-the-shelf Create lunches you'll be excited to eat using easy-to-find ingredients available at the grocery store. Save money Put an end to spending $5 to $10 a day on lunch the average cost of a filling homemade Japanese bento is about $1.85. In the world of bento books, this one can take you to tasty new heights.

CHIKA RAVITCH grew up near Osaka, Japan, and after moving to the United States, created Japanese-Food.org--your home for homemade Japanese food--to share her tips on making traditional, healthy Japanese food using familiar ingredients.

"This book teaches you basic Japanese bento (lunch box) recipes using ingredients you can easily find in the United States. Each recipe is simple (but delicious) and teaches you how to season the food to make each ingredient stand out. The colorful vegetables have a great look and provide nutritional balance. When I was a child, I loved the moment when I opened my lunch box. I always felt my mother's affection in every beautiful and delicious detail."--Hitomi Takeuchi, food protection manager California, founder of Coloridoh LLC (coloridoh.com)

"I own many Japanese cookbooks--including some from my favorite Japanese chefs--but I find them to be a little intimidating. I also own a collection of bento boxes that, until I read this book, I never used! What I enjoy most about Chika Ravitch's book are the simple instructions that don't compromise the taste and sophistication of the dishes. She makes cooking Japanese food very accessible for beginners and experienced chefs alike." --Andy Burstein, nutritionist

"Always looking for ways to eat healthier without expending too much time in the kitchen. Bento for Beginners was the perfect book for helping achieve this goal. In addition to the great recipes it was very helpful to learn how to improve storage life and tricks to making larger quantities (saving time in the long run)." --Barbara W.