Real Food Bento Box: Salmon-Avocado Rolls, Prosciutto-Wrapped Frittata, Fruit Kebabs

Per Serving: $2.10

This post has the LONGEST NAME EVER. But I wanted to include everything, because everything is so good. And because this is the last post in the 5-day series.

First, let's briefly discuss Japanese shiozake. Shiozake is salted salmon. It comes in these cute little jars (which I save, and Zac surreptitiously tries to recycle), and it is fantastic. I've made these rolls with homemade salted salmon (cook salmon with salt, then shred it and mixed in a tiny bit of soy sauce - delicious), but sometimes going for the "processed" version is so much easier. Since the only added ingredient is salt, I think this processed version is a-okay! But you can just use canned salmon, and mix it with a little salt or soy sauce.

I usually buy shiozake for these bento-friendly rolls, and this combination of salty salmon, fatty avocado, rice, and seaweed is super delicious. I know it isn't real sushi (this rice isn't seasoned like sushi rice), but it is similar to onigiri - the Japanese rice ball. I got a little fancy with the fruit kebabs, added my favorite cookies, and finished it off with a spinach-onion frittata wrapped in prosciutto.

So, here's your Friday Bento Box! Enjoy!

Salmon-Avocado Onigiri Rolls: Don't be intimidated - you can do it! Cook some brown rice, then lay out a sheet of nori (seaweed). Smash some rice onto about ⅔ of the nori (leaving room at the top and bottom), then add about 3-4 pieces of thinly sliced avocado, and a tablespoon of salmon. Starting from the bottom, roll tightly. Wait 5 minutes before slicing. Check out the full Salmon-Avocado Seaweed Roll recipe for more tips! ($0.90 for two rolls)

Prosciutto-Wrapped Spinach-Onion Frittata: I actually made the frittata in the rice cooker because it's low-energy, and because we only have a toaster oven. Using a food processor, just blitz ½ an onion and 2.5 cups frozen spinach. Add 6 eggs and a dash of salt, pepper, and chili powder, then pulse again until combined. You can bake it in a greased pan, or toss it in the rice cooker and cook it for 2 cycles (about 40 minutes). Let cool, and then cut into long slices. Wrap the long slices with prosciutto, cooked bacon, jamon serrano, or regular ham. Using a sharp knife, cut the slices into smaller chunks and serve or freeze! (Alternative option - try Paleo Egg Muffins!) ($0.50)

Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Oat Cookies: Again, here's the recipe! Super ripe bananas, prune syrup or date syrup, store-bought or homemade peanut butter, dark chocolate chips, and rolled oats. DELICIOUS. In this photo the cookies actually made with instant oats because I have yet to find rolled oats here in Japan. ($0.20 for two cookies)

Fruit Kebabs: These are so fun! I should do them more often. This is a good way to keep your hands clean when eating sticky fruit like pineapple and watermelon. Slice the fruit into chunks and slide onto the kebab stick - that's it. You could also try kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, honeydew, cantaloupe, or whatever else you find in season! I certainly didn't come up with this idea, but I love it! ($0.50)

This Series: Real Food Bento Boxes

• Monday: Sesame Soba & Green Beans

• Tuesday: Hummus & Dippers

• Wednesday: Stuffed Tomatoes

• Thursday: Chicken Avocado Lettuce Wraps

• Friday: Salmon Sushi Rolls with Fruit Kebabs