Bento Power book - @shisodelicious

I stumbled across Sara Kiyo Popowa’s fabulous instagram account whilst looking for inspiration for vegan recipes, as so many of my clients are vegans, I think I found her through the hashtag #veganuk and I’ve been IN LOVE with her feed ever since.

Sara is the artist and photographer behind the colourful, bento power plant based Instagram account Shiso Delicious @shisodelicious. [https://www.instagram.com/shisodelicious/] And she’s created a BEAUTIFUL book – Bento Power.

And when I say beautiful, I totally mean it – The bento Sara makes is based on the Japanese original: rice (grains) plus a number of small side dishes packed in a bento box and taken to school or work.

We love the layout of the book, and of course the beautifully styled photographs – and, oh, she’s pretty lovely herself too!

Bento Power: Brilliantly Balance Lunchbox Recipes.

Sara has created more raw and whole elements than typical bento, quicker to make with less side dishes and they are plant based (there are eight egg recipes in the book, the rest is vegan). She uses the Japanese principle of FIVE colours in food: white, black, red, green and yellow, as well as five flavours and five qualities – traditionally included to make a meal complete.

Sara’s bento also uses her own five nutritional elements of carbs, greens, protein, fruit/veg and sprinkles and incorporates flavours and methods from her multicultural upbringing in Sweden, exploring her roots in Japan, and life in London.

Sara’s book launch was held at the wonderful http://www.benkandbo.com
a London venue set across three floors with a yoga studio and meeting room on 1st floor, a public cafe and lounge on ground floor as well as the members only area in lower ground floor with loads of light streaming down the large open staircase adorned with indoors plants. Come work, eat, drink coffee, do yoga, play piano, read books, meet people or simply just be.

Bento Power by Shiso Delicious Book Launch Party, Photography: Gini Rhee.