Bento Box #1: Sushi Rice, Stir Fried Broccoli, Carrots and Water Chestnuts, Grape Tomatoes and Tamago

Bento Box #1: Sushi Rice, Stir Fried Broccoli, Carrots and Water Chestnuts, Grape Tomatoes and Tamago
Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup of dry Japanese rice
• 1/8 cup of rice vinegar

• 2 heads of broccoli
• handful of baby carrots
• 1 can of sliced water chestnuts
• handful of cherry or grape tomatoes
• vegetable oil

• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp of soy sauce
• pinch of sugar

1. Cook the rice according to the instructions. When fully cooked, dump into a small bowl and mix well with the rice vinegar.
2. Stir fry the broccoli, carrots and water chestnuts in the vegetable oil. Optionally, pour in a bit of soy sauce or territory sauce. 
3. Crack the egg into a small bowl and mix with the soy sauce and sugar then cook like an omelette, folding over the edges to make it rectangular.
4. Place rice, stir fried veggies, and tomatoes in a seal-able container and top with the egg omelette. Refrigerate.

I made everything but the omelette the night before and stored it in the fridge. The morning of, I made the omelette, took the lunch box to work and refrigerated it. I warmed the entire thing up in the microwave before eating.

The idea for this box was a good one but the meal needs a lot of work before I pronounce it done. The proportions were way off: too little rice and too many veggies. I used about 2/3 of the pan in this lunch and had the rest for lunch another day. The frying pan should not have been that full. I need a better way of cooking or storing rice - the essential 'sushi rice' quality was lost in the fridge and/or the microwave. The veggies too didn't transition as well as I would have hoped though that might have been the fault of how they were cooked. 

Verdict: This was an alright lunch but needs work. 

The tamago/egg omelette recipe came from http://justbento.com/handbook/recipe-collection-mains/1-egg-tamagoyaki-japanese-omelette.

Nishiki Rice, 1/50 of a large bag at $12.79/bag = $0.26 at Fred Meyer

Rice Vinegar, 1/20 of a bottle at $2.49/bottle = $0.12 at Fred Meyer

2 Broccoli Crowns: $0.68 at Fred Meyer

Carrots, 1/5 of a bag at $2.84/bag = $0.59 at Target

1 Can of Water Chestnuts: $0.69 at Fred Meyer

Grape Tomatoes, 1/8 of a carton at $4.99/carton = $0.63 at Fred Meyer

Total Cost: $2.59 for two servings or $ $1.30 for one serving

Egg, 1 of 12 at $2.49/carton = $0.21 at Fred Meyer

Soy Sauce, 1/25 of a bottle at $2.69/bottle = $0.11 at Fred Meyer

Total Cost: $2.00 for one serving

End of Spring Semester Round-Up 2013

I'm back from Ireland and finally re-settled on the West Coast! My experiment in cooking turned out pretty well. I'm keeping 21 recipes out of the 48 I tried.

My favorites? These three:

Salmon and New Potatoes and Corn and Tomatoes

 Winter Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese

Beef and Guinness Stew with Champ

Definitely keepers.

This summer I'll be focusing on lunches - what I'm calling my 'Bento Box Series'. They won't all be Japanese inspired but many will be. I plan on experimenting until I have a couple of tried and true recipes and you all are welcome to follow the show!

'Classical' Bangers and Mash

'Classical' Bangers and Mash
Serves 3-4
Ingredients

1 kg potatoes, peeled and quartered

2 chicken (vegetable) stock cubes

250ml warm milk

50g melted butter

1 tablespoon cooking oil

6-8 pork sausages

1 large onion, sliced and separated into rings

500ml beef gravy (or stock)

1. Place the potatoes in a pan, and add enough water to cover. Bring to the boil, and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, leaving the potatoes in the pan.
2. Meanwhile, stir the stock cubes into the warm milk until dissolved. Stir the milk mixture and butter into the potatoes. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy.
3. Heat the cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Prick the sausages in a few places with a fork, and place them into the pan. Cook, turning often, until golden brown and juices run clear, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness. Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen roll.
4. Using the same frying pan, add the onion rings. Cook and stir over medium heat until the onions are golden, but still crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the gravy and heat through.
5. To serve, scoop the potatoes onto a large serving plate. Arrange the sausages over the potatoes and top with the onions and gravy.

Modified from http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/5136/classic-bangers-and-mash.aspx

Another miss. These turned out pretty greasy and the whole mess didn't refrigerate very well. I think I'll stick to one of my other sausage and mashed potatoes recipes.

6 Sausage: EUR 2.99 at Tesco
1kg rooster potatoes: EUR 1.49 at Tesco
Milk, about EUR 0.30 at Lidl
Butter, about EUR 0.10 at Tesco
Onion, EUR 0.35 at Tesco
Vegetable Oil, 1/10 of a bottle at EUR 1.99/bottle = EUR 0.20 at Lidl
2 Vegetable Stock Cubes: EUR 0.21 at Tesco
1 Beef Stock Pot: EUR 0.43 at Tesco Express
Total Cost: EUR 6.07 for 3 servings or EUR 2.02 for one serving

Braised Leeks and Apples

Braised Leeks and Apples
Serves 3
Ingredients

• 3 small leeks, sliced
• 2-3 apples, cored and cut into wedges
• 3 sprigs or dried thyme
• 4 shallots (optional) , diced
• rosemary (optional)
• 300ml vegetable stock
• knob of butter                                                                                                                              

1. Arrange the leeks and apple wedges in a single layer in a wide, shallow casserole dish with a lid. Poke the sprigs of thyme in among the leeks and pour over the stock. Season and dot the butter on top.
2. Place over a medium heat, bring to the boil, then put the lid on and gently simmer for 15 mins or until the apples and leeks are tender.  

From http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1959661/braised-leeks-and-apples

There wasn't anything special about this dish. It tasted fine and I wouldn't mind making it again if I ended up with a lot of leeks or needed to make a leek side dish. It would make a fine, cheap side dish. As a main dish, though, it isn't satisfying enough.

3 Leeks: EUR 1.59 at Lidl
2 apples: EUR 0.75 at Tesco
4 shallots: EUR 0.40 at Lidl
Rosemary: Free, from a friend
Sage: EUR 0.01 at Tesco
Vegetable Stock Cube: EUR 0.10 at Tesco
Butter: EUR 0.10 at Tesco
Total Cost: EUR 2.95 for 3 servings or EUR 0.98 for one serving

Cheese, Leek and Potato Tortilla

Cheese, Leek and Potato Tortilla
Serves 4
Ingredients

• butter , for frying
• 1 leek, thinly sliced
• 2 potatoes cooked and cooled 
• 6 eggs
• 2-3 carrots, sliced
• 85g cheddar
• 1 tsp dried sage

1. Melt a knob of butter in a medium, nonstick frying pan, then cook the leek and carrots for about 5 mins until softened. Meanwhile, cut the potatoes in half, then into slices about ½cm thick. Beat the eggs, season, then stir in the cheese and sage.
2. Add a little extra butter to the pan if needed, tip in the potatoes, then the egg mixture. Turn the heat to low, then cook for 10 mins until nearly set. Place under a hot grill, then cook or boil in the oven for a couple of mins more until the top is set and golden.

From http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/6021/cheese-leek-and-potato-tortilla

This used up carrots that were starting to go bad and if I had leftover potatoes, this would be a good way to get rid of them. I wouldn't make this if I wasn't using up leftovers.

Butter, about EUR 0.20 at Tesco
Leek, EUR 1.29 at Tesco
2 Potatoes, EUR 1.29 at Tesco
6 eggs, EUR 1.95 at Tesco
Carrots, 1/3 of a bag at EUR 0.99/bag = EUR 0.33 at Tesco
Cheddar, about EUR 0.80 at Tesco
Sage, 1/20 of a bottle at EUR 0.79/bottle = EUR 0.04
Total Cost: EUR 5.90 for 4 servings or EUR 1.48 for one serving

Oven-baked Eggs and Chips

Oven-baked Eggs and Chips
Serves 2
Ingredients

• 2 medium baking potatoes, cut into chunky wedges
• 2 tbsp olive oil   
• 2 tomatoes , halved
• 2 eggs       
• can of beans

1. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Tip the potato wedges into a roasting tin. Drizzle over the oil and sprinkle over the paprika. Season and mix well to coat the potatoes. Roast for 25 mins, turning halfway through, until almost tender.
2. Pour the beans into one end of the pan. Nestle the tomatoes, cut-side up, among the potatoes. Make 2 spaces in the tin and crack an egg into each one. Return to the oven for 6-8 mins until the eggs are just set.

From http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/313611/ovenbaked-egg-and-chips  

This was a decent try but I need a better way of making home-made steak fries. Cleaning up the pan afterward was a challenge because the potato wouldn't come off. I probably won't make this again.

2 Tomatoes: EUR 0.48 at Tesco
2 Eggs of a carton of 6 at EUR 1.89/carton = EUR 0.63 at Lidl
2 Baking Potatoes: EUR 1.20 at Tesco
1 can of baked beans: EUR 0.92 at Tesco
Olive Oil, 1/20 of a bottle at EUR 3.99/bottle: EUR 0.20  at Aldi
Total Cost: EUR 3.43 for 2 servings or EUR 1.72 for one serving

Cottage Pie (Shepherd's Pie)

Cottage Pie (Shepherd's Pie)
Serves 4
Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup of shredded cheese
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves
• 5 carrots
• 3 parsnips
• 500g minced beef (lamb)
• 3/4 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon ketchup (optional)
• vegetable oil

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash with butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots parsnips and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, mash and set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.)
3. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onion and cloves and cook until clear. Add ground beef and cook until well browned. Add ketchup and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Spread the ground beef in an even layer on the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. Next, spread a layer of carrots and parsnips. Top with the mashed potato mixture and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Modified from http://allrecipes.com/recipe/shepherds-pie-vi/

This is a cottage pie because it was made with beef. If I had used lamb, it would have been a shepherd's pie. 

I liked how this turned out. The beef was good and juicy, the carrots and parsnips added vegetables and nothing got burnt. I think I should have seasoned the mashed potatoes a little more but that's a small tweak.

Beef is expensive but for four servings it was worth it.

500g of minced beef: EUR 5.98 at the local butcher's

Carrots, 1/3 of a bag at EUR 0.99/bag = EUR 0.33 at Lidl

Parsnips, 1/2 of a package at EUR 1.29/package = EUR 0.65
Onion, EUR 0.22 at Tesco
Butter, perhaps EUR 0.20 at Tesco
Cheese, perhaps EUR 0.80 at Tesco
Garlic, 1/2 of a bulb at EUR 0.49/4 bulbs at Lidl = EUR 0.06
Potatoes: EUR 1.21 at Tesco
Beef Stock Cube, 1/8 at EUR 3.39/package = EUR 0.43 at Tesco Express
Vegetable Oil, 1/20 of a bottle at EUR 1.99/bottle = EUR 0.10 at Lidl
Total Cost: EUR 9.98 for 4 servings or EUR 2.50 for one serving

Raspberries and Cream

Raspberries and Cream
Serves 1
Ingredients

• 1/2 carton of raspberries
• about 100 ml of cream

1. Wash the raspberries and pour into a desert bowl
2. Add cream and serve.

Obviously, this recipe can easily be scaled up for more people. It makes for a nice little treat after dinner.

Raspberries, 1/2 carton at EUR 1.99/carton = EUR 1.00 at Lidl
Double Cream, 1/3 of a 250ml bottle at EUR 1.29/bottle = EUR 0.43 at Lidl
Total Cost: EUR 1.43 for one serving

Italian Sub with Carrots

Italian Sub with Carrots
Serves 1
Ingredients

• 1 small white roll
• 1 slice of ham
• 1 slice of prosciutto
• 2 slices of large pepperoni
• 1 slice of mozzarella or handful of grated mozzarella
• 1 teaspoon of mustard
• 3-4 carrots, peeled and sliced lengthwise

1. Cut open the sub and smear the mustard on one or both sides.
2. Layer the meat and cheese on top of the mustard and serve with the carrots.

Modified from http://curtainsandcoathooks.blogspot.ie/2013/04/italian-sandwich-with-carrot-and.html

This took about 10 minutes to make, most of which was spent peeling carrots. The actual sandwich came together in less than a minute. It would be easy enough to substitute turkey or chicken for the ham products. 

Definitely a tasty lunch!

White Roll: EUR 0.29 at Lidl

1/8 of a package of ham at EUR 1.89/package = EUR 0.24 at Lidl

1/8 of a package of salami at EUR 1.79/package = EUR 0.22 at Lidl

1/6 of a package of prosciutto at EUR 2.59/package = EUR 0.43 at Lidl

1/8 of a package of grated mozzarella at EUR 1.44/package = EUR 0.18 at Tesco
English Mustard, 1/40 of a bottle at EUR 0.45/bottle = EUR 0.01 at Lidl
Carrots, 1/3 of a bag at EUR 0.99/bag = EUR 0.33 at Lidl
Total Cost: EUR 1.79 for one serving

Italian Sandwich with Carrot and Parsnip Salad and Balsamic Vinaigrette

There are actually three parts to this meal though the salad and dressing could both be bought pre-made. This requires no cooking whatsoever and is suitable for a picnic if the dressing and salad are kept separate.

Italian Sandwich
Serves 1
Ingredients

• 2 slices of fresh bread
• 1 tsp of olive oil
• sprinkling of basil and oregano
• 1 slice of ham
• 1 slice of prosciutto
• 2 slices of large pepperoni
• 1 slice of mozzarella or handful of grated mozzarella
• 1 slice of provolone

1. Drizzle olive oil on both slices of bread. Sprinkle both sides with basil and oregano.
2. On the bottom half, layer the salami, ham, provolone, and mozzarella. Cover with top layer, and serve.

Modified from http://allrecipes.com/recipe/muffuletta-sandwich/detail.aspx

The ingredients here can be swapped in and out at will. I dislike olives and Parmesan cheese so I left those two out and substituted in prosciutto. Lidl and Tesco don't appear to carry provolone so I didn't use that either. The recipe can easily be doubled and it whips up pretty quickly.

Carrot and Parsnip Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 head of lettuce or bag of mixed greens
• 3 or 4 parsnips, peeled and sliced
• 5 or 6 carrots, peeled and sliced

1. In a large sauces, boil the carrots and parsnips for about 10 minutes until tender
2. Wash the lettuce and chop, then mix in a large bowl with the root vegetables

The parsnip is the poor, forgotten cousin of the carrot but when boiled, it tastes less sharp than its celebrity cousin. This salad gives you a good portion of greens while also including some non-green vegetables.

Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette 
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon English mustard
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 cup olive oil

1. Mix all of the ingredients together and serve on salad

From http://www.food.com/recipe/sheilas-best-balsamic-dressing-176016

I perhaps used too much oil in this recipe but that can be fixed next time.

Thrown all together:

This was a fast and easy meal to make and is full of vegetables and protein. As salad needs to be eaten within a few days or it starts degrading, I will be making more of this meal in the future. 

Italian sandwich

1/8 of a loaf of sourdough bread at EUR 2.05/loaf = EUR 0.27 at Tesco

1/40 of bottle of olive oil at EUR 3.99/bottle = EUR 0.10 at Aldi

Sprinkling of basil and sage: EUR 0.02 at Lidl and Tesco (optional)

1/8 of a package of ham at EUR 1.89/package = EUR 0.24 at Lidl

1/8 of a package of salami at EUR 1.79/package = EUR 0.22 at Lidl

1/6 of a package of prosciutto at EUR 2.59/package = EUR 0.43 at Lidl

1/8 of a package of grated mozzarella at EUR 1.44/package = EUR 0.18 at Tesco

Total Cost: EUR 1.46 for one serving

Carrot and Parsnip Salad

1 head of lettuce: EUR 0.99 at Lidl

1/2 of a package of parsnips at EUR 1.29/package = EUR 0.65 at Lidl

1/5 of a pack of carrots at EUR 0.99/pack = EUR 0.20 at Lidl

Total Cost: EUR 1.84 for 4 servings or EUR 0.46 for one serving

Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

Balsamic Vinegar, 1/20 of a bottle at EUR 1.29/bottle = EUR 0.06 at Lidl

Red Wine Vinegar, 1/10 of a bottle at EUR 1.79/bottle = EUR 0.10 at Tesco

English Mustard, 1/40 of a bottle at EUR 0.45/bottle = EUR 0.01 at Lidl

Brown Sugar, 1/100 of a pack at EUR 1.65/pack = EUR 0.02 at Tesco

Olive Oil, 1/6 of a bottle at EUR 3.99/bottle = EUR 0.67 at Aldi

Garlic Clove, 1/8 of a bulb of a pack of 4 bulbs at EUR 0.49/pack = EUR 0.01 at Lidl

Total Cost: EUR 0.87 for 4 servings or EUR 0.22 for one serving

Total Cost: EUR 2.14 for one serving