The rice is covered with Braised Beef and Burdock with Ginger (Shigureni). Shigureni Bento consists of rice with Shigureni, Simmered Pumpkin and some vegetables, all of which contribute to making the bento box so colourful.
Because bento is usually made mostly from left-over dishes or make-ahead dishes, the time indicated in this recipe only shows the time to pack the bento box.
While the rice is still hot or warm, place it in the largest compartment of the bento box, allowing for the Shigureni to be placed on top. Let it cool.
Place the Shigureni on the rice so that the rice is completely covered. If there is sauce left in the container of the Shigureni, pour the sauce over it.
1. It is best to pack cooked rice in a bento box while hot or warm as it is easier to shape the rice into the bento box.
2. The amount of beef is about 50g if you use a quarter of the recipe ingredients. If you prefer more meat, adjust it by reducing the quantity of burdock and increasing the beef. Alternatively, you can simply increase the total amount of the dish.
3. My bento compartment only allowed for two pumpkin pieces. Depending on the size of the bento space and the pumpkin pieces, you may want to adjust the quantity.
4. Please refer to my recipe Pickled Turnip (Senmai-zuke). The recipe uses turnip but you can also make Zenmai-zuke with daikon (white radish). The recipe includes how to make it with daikon.
5. Broccoli, green beans and snow peas are good alternatives.
6. The length can be a bit shorter or longer. It’s more important to cut them to the same length and not waste them. My asparagus was quite long and I quartered each spear.
7. Putting a dish like pickled vegetables in is handy especially if you want to reheat the main dish. But if you don’t have a cup, you can use baking paper to separate different dishes.