Asparagus Beef Roll Bento Recipe

I’ve recently been experimenting in the kitchen and decided to try this killer beef and asparagus roll on rice recipe that kinda turned my dinner into a wild mix of tender beef, crisp asparagus, and this sweet-savory marinade all tossed over warm rice, and even though I mess up a couple times it’s still a plate of pure comfort and flavor.

I love crafting my Asparagus Beef Roll Bento. I mix tender beef with crisp asparagus marinated in soy sauce, sake, and mirin, plus garlic and a hint of sugar.

I think it’s a great high-protein meal with easy nutritional value. It tastes as good as it is wholesome.

Ingredients

• Beef provides high quality protein and iron which makes the dish super satisfying and flavorful.
• Fresh asparagus is crunchy, full of fiber and vitamins, and gives a healthy crisp bite.
• Soy sauce adds a deeply savory, salty kick that makes the dish rich and umami.
• White rice acts as a carbohydrate base filling you with energy and keeping you full longer.
• Mirin gives a slight sweet touch balancing out the saltiness in the marinade.
• Sake boosts the overall fancy taste and helps tenderize the beef real good.
• Garlic adds a piquant aroma and its a bit spicy which really brings out the flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

• 300g thinly sliced beef (ribeye or sirloin works great)
• 15 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and washed
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sake
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

How to Make this

1. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, and minced garlic until the sugar dissolves.

2. Season your thin beef slices with salt and pepper then pour half the marinade over them and let sit for about 10 minutes.

3. Prep your asparagus by making sure they’re trimmed and washed, then lay 1 or 2 spears on each beef slice.

4. Roll up the beef around the asparagus, trying to keep the roll tight enough so the asparagus stays in place.

5. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat until it’s really hot.

6. Fry the beef rolls in the pan for about 2 minutes on each side until they get a nice browned color.

7. If there’s any leftover marinade, pour it over the beef rolls in the pan during the last minute of cooking to let it thicken a bit.

8. While the beef is cooking, warm up your 2 cups of cooked white rice in another pan or microwave.

9. Place the beef rolls neatly atop the bed of rice.

10. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for garnish and serve immediately while it’s hot.

Equipment Needed

1. Small bowl – used for mixing the soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, and minced garlic
2. Measuring spoons – for accurate measurements of the soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, and garlic
3. Knife – needed for mincing garlic and trimming the asparagus if necessary
4. Cutting board – provides a safe surface for prepping your garlic and asparagus
5. Frying pan – used to heat the oil and fry the beef rolls
6. Spatula or tongs – helps flip the beef rolls without breaking them
7. Microwave-safe bowl or second pan – to warm your cooked white rice
8. Serving plate – for plating the beef rolls on top of the rice and finishing the dish with sesame seeds

FAQ

• Q: Can I use a different cut of beef for the Asparagus Beef Roll Bento?
  A: Sure, you can use other cuts like flank steak but thinly sliced ribeye or sirloin works best cause they cook quickly and stay tender.
• Q: How long should I marinate the beef?
  A: Let the beef marinate for about 10-15 minutes in the soy sauce mixture. Anything longer might make the meat a bit too salty.
• Q: Can I replace the white rice with brown rice?
  A: Yes, you can. Brown rice is a healthier option but it has a different texture. Cook it a bit longer to make sure it’s soft.
• Q: Do I need to preheat the pan before cooking the beef?
  A: Definitely, heat the pan until it’s hot. This helps the beef sear quickly and locks in the flavors while making it tender.
• Q: What can I do if the asparagus is too tough?
  A: Try blanching them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes before rolling them with the beef. It helps soften them a bit without losing their crunch.

Asparagus Beef Roll Bento Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of soy sauce you could try tamari or coconut aminos if you’re looking for less sodium
• If you dont have sake dry sherry or white wine will work pretty well as a substitute
• For mirin mix a little rice wine vinegar with a pinch of sugar to mimic the flavor
• You can also swap the beef with thinly sliced pork or chicken if you prefer a different meat option

Pro Tips

1. When you mix the marinade, stir it well so the sugar dissolves completely. Dont rush it because if the sugar stays gritty it can mess up the flavor later on.

2. Let the beef sit in half of the marinade for about 10 minutes, but make sure its not too long or the meat might get too soft and lose its texture.

3. When heating the oil, wait until it is really hot before adding the beef rolls. If the pan isn’t hot enough, the beef might stick or not get that nice brown color you want.

4. If you have any extra marinade, add it at the last minute of cooking to let it thicken slightly. This adds more flavor to the rolls without making them overly salty.