Colorful Bento Box with European Pork

PREPARING

1. Gently pound each slice of pork loin to make it slightly thinner. In a bowl, mix 1 tbsp of soy sauce and mirin (or honey), then rub this marinade into the meat. Set aside for at least 15-20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: in a small saucepan, combine the apple juice, 1 tbsp soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Heat over low heat, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool.
3. Mix the cooked, still-warm rice with furikake or sesame seeds. If you want a pink colour, add 1 tsp of beetroot juice and mix thoroughly until the colour is even. Shape the rice into a firm ball or press it into a silicone mould.
4. Prepare the vegetable decorations. Slice the cucumber into thicker rounds, then use small cookie cutters to cut out shapes (e.g., stars, hearts). Leave the radish as thin circles.
5. From the remaining quarter of an apple, prepare “apple bunnies” (usagi ringo): make a V-shaped cut in the peel and gently lift the cut piece. To prevent the apple from browning, sprinkle it with lemon juice.
6. Slice the apple for the filling into very thin matchsticks. On each marinated pork slice, place a few apple matchsticks and a couple of spinach leaves. Roll the meat into a tight roulade.
7. Prepare three plates: one with flour, one with a beaten egg, and one with panko. Dredge each roulade first in flour, then dip it in the egg, and finally, coat it thoroughly in panko.
8. Heat oil in a skillet and fry the roulades until golden brown on all sides. Alternatively, place them on a baking sheet, spray with olive oil, and bake at 200°C (400°F) for about 12-15 minutes. After cooking, drain any excess fat on a paper towel.
9. Begin assembling the bento: in one section of the box, place the shaped rice. In separate dividers or silicone cups, arrange the cut-out vegetables to create colourful “islands”.
10. Once the roulades have cooled slightly, slice them into 2 cm thick pieces to reveal the spiral cross-section. Arrange them in another compartment. You can insert decorative food picks to make them easier for a child to eat.
11. Place the “apple bunny” on top of the rice or in a free space. Pour the sauce into a small, leak-proof container so it can be drizzled over the roulades just before eating.