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Vegetarian bento

A bento-style lunch box is a great way to eat a variety of different foods. You’ll be surprised how easy (and tasty!) it is.

  • Time to make: 30 mins
  • Serving: 1 person
Ratings: 4.9
Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1 cup 2cm-cubed pumpkin
  • 1 tablespoon miso paste
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornflour
  • 100g firm tofu, cut in 2cm cubes
  • spray oil
  • ¼ avocado
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 3 teaspoons sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon mustard
  • ¾ cup prepared coleslaw mix (omit the dressing)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • shichimi, to garnish (optional, see tips)
  • Always check food labels for allergens or trace warnings before buying your ingredients.
    Ingredients

    Instructions

    (Stops screen from sleeping)

    1 Place pumpkin in a steamer or microwave-safe bowl and heat until just tender. In a small bowl, combine miso, sugar and 1 tablespoon water. Add mixture to pumpkin and toss well to coat. Return pumpkin mixture to steamer or microwave and cook for 1 more minute. Set aside.

    2 In a bowl, combine ½ teaspoon of the black pepper and the white pepper and cornflour. Add tofu and gently toss to coat. Spray a frying pan with oil and set over a medium-high heat. Fry tofu, turning gently, until all sides are browned and crispy.

    3 In a bowl, place avocado, balsamic, 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil, mustard and remaining pepper and mash to combine. Set aside. Dress slaw with lemon juice and remaining sesame oil.

    4 To assemble bento, place pumpkin, tofu, slaw and avocado dressing in compartments in a bento tray, or use separate dishes. Sprinkle with shichimi, if desired.

    Variations

    Make it gluten free: Check miso, cornflour, tofu and mustard are gluten free.

    HFG tip

    Shichimi is Japanese seasoning, available in Asian supermarkets.

    NOTE: If you have a nut allergy and are using packaged goods in recipes, please check the allergen warning on the packet regarding nuts.

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