In the latter half of May, I started to sweat more and more every morning when I commute to work. From now on, in the summer, I want to be careful about the sanitary condition of the lunch box. I used to put in extra simmered food and rot it, but I'm also worried about food poisoning that I can't tell from the taste and smell.
Therefore, this time, we will introduce some points to note when making bento boxes in the summer and useful goods. Let's check again not only for bento beginners but also for those who are accustomed to it!
1. Moisture is a great enemy! Cool well
First of all, the basics of making bento. Let's cool the rice and freshly made side dishes from the rice cooker before packing. If you put it in warm, the steam will cool and excess water will increase, making it easier for germs to grow.
Also, in the summer, avoid juicy side dishes such as simmered dishes and try to incorporate a well-heated menu. When using eggs, use a cooking method that cooks to the inside rather than thick omelet.
2. Use a lunch box or an ice pack
It is also effective to keep the temperature as low as possible and keep it well-ventilated until you eat it. If you change to a bento box that is suitable for summer, such as a bento box with a space for ice packs or magewappa, you can change your mood and increase your motivation for making bento boxes. In particular, Magewappa made of cedar removes excess water, so you can eat delicious rice without warming it.
If you use your usual lunch box, it is safe to disinfect it with an alcohol spray that is safe to put in your mouth.
Not only can you get ice packs at the store, but recently you can also get cute ones at 100-yen shops. My mother used to do it when I was a kid, but if I use frozen cup jelly instead of an ice pack, it becomes a dessert and two birds with one stone. Since cold air flows down, place it on the top or use two to sandwich the top and bottom of the lunch box.
3. Use ingredients with antibacterial activity
You can also use ingredients with antibacterial properties such as dried plums, vinegar, and ginger. If you use mixed rice or cooked rice that you can easily make, you can reduce the time and effort in the morning and improve the color.
This is rice mixed with plums, perilla, and sesame seeds. It's more evenly spread and flavorful than just umeboshi.
These are the three basic points you can do right now. However, it is important not to overconfide even if you take careful measures, and to refrain from eating if you feel any discomfort in the smell or taste. Please spend a comfortable lunch time with a lunch box that matches the season!