Vegan: Black Beans in a Baked Tomato Cup Bento

Using dividers and small cups is important for keeping bento dishes separated. There are many ways to make your own dividers and "cups" by using vegetables and other foods. This baked tomato cup also adds lovely color.

Top tier of bento: Roasted Corn and Chilies with Lime, Green Beans with Thai Almond Crumbs, carrot flowers.

Bottom tier of bento: Rice and millet, rice bran pickled Daikon, shiso pickled eggplant (parsley leaves) Black Beans with Caramelized Onion in Baked Tomato Cup (sliced asparagus, parsley, Japanese seven spice.)

Notes: I bought the pickled daikon and eggplant at a local Asian market. These were made in their deli and contain no additives or food coloring. The bright red on the eggplant is from the Japanese herb aka-shiso which imparts a vibrant red hue. The daikon gets it's wonderful sunny yellow from being long-term pickled in rice bran. Sometimes some turmeric is added to further liven up that yellow. However, most often commercial pickles rely on food coloring. Grab and go items like this can be a big help, but it's important to read labels.

My Bento Recipes:

Green Beans with Thai Almond Crumbs (2 portions)

Ingredients:

6 oz green beans, cut into 2-3" pieces
1/8 cup Thai Lime and Chili Almonds (from Trader Joe's)
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
pinch of salt

Directions:

* Boil green beans for 3-4 minutes or until desired softness.  
* Shock the beans in ice cold water and drain well. 
* Toss the beans with the lime juice. 
* Grind almonds in a small blender or food processor until the size of bread crumbs. 
* Mix 1/2 the crumbs in with the beans and use the remaining 1/2 to sprinkle on top.

Black Beans with Caramelized Onion in Baked Tomato Cup (2 portions)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cooked black beans
1/8 cup caramelized onion pureed with olive oil
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Japanese seven spice (shichimi)
2 small hothouse tomatoes

Directions:

* Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
* Cut the top 1/4-1/3 of the tomatoes off (depending of the size of the tomato and the bento box you are using.) 
* Slice the very bottom of the tomatoes off so that they will sit flat. Using a spoon carefully scoop out the inside of the tomatoes. 
* Mix the remaining ingredients together in a small pan and heat.
* Fill the tomato cups with the black bean mixture.
* Bake for 12 minutes. You don't want the tomatoes to get too soft or they will break.
* Let cool before packing and sprinkle with a pinch of Japanese seven spice or chili powder.