Monday, March 15, 2021

BENTO BOX BINGE

 

Freezer meals have become the essential culinary tool for time constrained households.  this is nothing new...Swanson introduced TV dinners in 1953.  Today's grocery stores are likely to offer at least two aisles of freezer meals in for every palate and occasion. Unfortunately most are expensive or boring or both.  The solution is to prepare your own.  A few hours on a weekend can produce heat and eat meals that will please your tastebuds and your schedule.

First, find yourself a simple, easy to clean bento box, the Japanese knockoff of Swanson's original aluminum tray.  I use Freshware's 24 oz meal prep containers , pictured above, available on Amazon.  They go from freezer to microwave to dishwasher with no problem.  I've heated them as long as eight minutes without any distortion to the box.

I assemble these boxes with my protein layered over my carbs (potatoes, rice or pasta, in the large section, a veggie and a dessert that is palatable hot in the smaller sections.  Try one of Bisquick's Impossibly Easy Pies (IEP),  
My favorite is the French Apple Pie (Try substituting cherries, peaches, blueberries, or mixed berries for the apples).  I also like the Coconut Custard and the Pumpkin.  I also recommend Rice Pudding or Bread Pudding as dessert options.

Here are a few of my meals:
  • Chicken/Turkey & Dressing accompanied by Green Bean Casserole and A Pumpkin IEP.
  • Chicken and Dumplings, Crowder Peas,  and Banana Pudding
  • Brenda's Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and an Apple IEP with a Streusel Topping.
  • Pork Chile Verde with Rice, Refried Beans, and a Coconut Custard IEP (Serve with Pico de Gallo and Guacamole)
  • Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles,  Carrots, and a Cherry IEP.
  • Moroccan Lamb with Sweet Potatoes & Dried Cranberries, Cauliflower, and spiced Mandarin Oranges
  • Veal Parmigiana (Restaurant chef hack, use Pork Loin Schnitzel) with Pasta, Squash and Onions, and Bread Pudding


No comments:

Post a Comment