BENTO #42

I had some problems trying to upload this post this morning! Must have been something wrong with the system because an error message kept appearing.

Anyway, this morning's Bento was simple and going to be delicious. My kids and I love the dressing for the vegetables. Basically put together with broccoli, cauliflowers, baby corn, carrots and crabsticks. Topped with Kewpie mayo and Parmesan cheese.

On the right Bento box is a hard boiled egg and some chicken nuggets. Filled up the space with some chocolate 'coins'.

ONIGIRI

This is for my friend Deanna. ONIGIRI looks difficult to make but it is not! It makes a delicious and fulfilling meal.

All you need to make good ONIGIRI is to follow the following steps:

Soak 2 cups of rice in 2 1/4 cups of water, must be Japanese short grain rice or equivalent Australian Calrose or in the worst condition and you cannot get the above, use Jasmine Sunwhite (not as good but can be used). I normally soak my rice for at least two hours.
4 tbsp of toasted Sesame seeds
1/2 - 1 tsp of fine salt or to taste
Makes 10 - 12 Onigiri's depending on the size.

Filling:
1 can Tuna in Olive oil or equivalent (drained and mashed)
2 - 3 tbsp Kewpie Mayo or equivalent
pepper and salt to taste
1/3 of a yellow onion cut in bits (optional)

OR
1 piece of Salmon (Salted, fried and flaked)
Pepper to taste
2 - 3 tbsp Kewpie Mayo or equivalent

Method:

1. Cook rice in rice cooker using soaking water, do not add or reduce anymore water.
2. Get ready a bowl of filtered or cooled, boiled water for wetting hands.
3. Get a small plate of fine salt for coating hands before working on the Onigiri.
4. When rice is ready and dry, remove and place in a large bowl or pot with lots of space for mixing movement.
5. Pour into hot rice, the sesame seeds and add salt to taste.
6. Mix well.
   

If making for Bento, then you have to 'think small'!

1. Fill rice bowl with 1/3 rice.
2. Wet hands and 'touch' some salt and rub on both hands.
3. Take the hot/warm rice from the rice bowl and use 'iron hands' to roll rice into a ball.
4. Firm up a little and poke a hole in the middle with finger.
5. Try to make a 'well' and put into the 'well/hole' the tuna or salmon filling.

I like to be generous, but don't over-fill or else it may break apart. Your filling should not be wet. If rice is sticking to hands, wet with water again.

Take a small bit of rice to cover the 'well/hole' and start to form a triangle out of the ball. Click on the word (first line) "ONIGIRI" (above) to see You Tube demo on how to shape the triangle. Once you get the hang of it, you don't need to add that extra bit of rice and you can just 'close' up the 'well/hole' from the rice ball in your hands.

Get a pre-cut (you can buy these ready cut and packed) piece of Nori and place at the bottom of the Onigiri. This is for easy handling, for eating purpose.

It is best eaten fresh but you can make this the night before for the next morning. Cling wrap it and don't need to put into the fridge.

Try this, your kids will love it!

Fund Raiser coffee morning @ Church

We had a fund raiser on Sunday and I'm posting some of the food stuff sold that morning.
This creative drink is made out of Ice Cream Soda and assorted jelly (bought from the Taiwanese bubble tea suppliers). Sold like hot cakes and raised a pretty sum of $$$ too!
Yours truly's Futomaki. First to sell out as usual. My daughter and I rolled out 100 packets and today my back is still aching! This is really a hot favorite with the youths and children. They just keep coming back for more. I had two good looking young boys selling for me, so that might have been the reason for good sales too! Hehehe!

I was very proud of #1 because she took the initiative to help me with cooking the "Tamago Yaki". She cooked a whole tray of 30 eggs. *mum feels good*












Home made Spaghetti is another favorite. I tried this mild tasting beef or pork Bolognaise sauce. This stall served a generous portion of sauce and had the spaghetti swimming in it, which was very nice!

'Chee Cheong Fun' - This was tasty too but I thought they were quite "kedekut" (stingy) because for RM3.50 it was hardly a full meal or even half! One would have to spend more to fill the stomach. It had just two pieces of 'chee cheong fun' and one piece of 'foo chook', quite pricy right?












One stall had a variety of Nyonya Kueh. Honestly, I'm no fan of Nyonya Kueh. Since all are chipping in to help the fund raiser, I just buy to support the cause, then I distribute to all my 'kaki' sitting around, chatting and waiting for their kids to finish Sunday school. If I bring home, surely nobody will eat.

Popular item! Chicken porridge served with scallions, chicken meat and condiments. By the time I wanted to buy a bowl, all sold out!












Simple Mee Siam. Shared this with #1, not bad. Simple and tasty.

Delicious Fried Chicken. This lady who sold this fried chicken has an amazing marinade and frying skills! The chicken is aromatic, delicious and juicy. A hot favorite in all the fund raisers. She is always invited back to help out and she never declines. An amazing woman with a big heart!












These are the ingredients for the 'Nasi Lemak panas'. Curry chicken, sambal (pictured above), eggs, peanuts, fried 'ikan billis' (not in the picture) and freshly cooked rice in santan. This one also a best seller for coffee morning.


I was impressed with this stall run by two sisters and their mum. The sisters are 17 and 19 years old respectively. They made chocolate cookies and decorated the box with hand written notes in various colors. Firstly, they take responsibility for this cause by producing the 'goods' themselves by way of baking and cooking and also taking the trouble to 'decorate' them. Shows that they take ownership of what they are doing.











SANDWICHES! Egg and dried prawn sambal sandwiches. The sambal ones were first to go. One of my favorites, they add 'limau perut' leaves and the citrus flavor enhances the delicious sandwich.


This must have been the best decorated stall. Proud owner laid a chequered table cloth and placed her KEROPOK to be sold.












The ever famous "Pie Man's pie". A selection of beef and chicken always sold out by the end of the morning. Quality control at it's ultimate! Another hot favorite!

Bento #41

"One Ton Mee" (wantan mee) - #1's favorite! Topped with 'Sabah chilli sauce', fish cakes, crab sticks and kyuri.

Half an orange in the bottom Bento box and a piece of Chocolate chip roll from Deli France.

Diet, diet, diet!

Bento #40

Bento #40 consists of potato korokke, some cherry tomatoes, a babybel cheese with a packet of plain crackers. On the side, another Tuna Onigiri (comfort food) and some 'slinky snakes'.

Didn't have time to upload yesterday because very busy attending weddings and this weekend's preparation for a fund raiser at Church.

Yours truly selling sushi to help out. Hopefully can capture some nice pictures and upload on Monday! Have a great weekend. I know mine will be very busy!!

Bento #39

#1 said that there was no recess yesterday so they didn't have time to eat. Same thing today because the exam finishes at noon.

She asked for finger food so that she could just pick on the food whenever possible.

#2 finishes another paper this morning at 9.45a.m. so no need for Bento as we will be going for breakfast together.

PMS-ing

You have probably noticed that my recent posts were short and Bentos were 'simple' without much effort or cooking.

I've been tip-toe-ing on thin ice lately. Monday morning, PMR commenced and #2 declared that she only wanted one layer of Bento. "I can manage that, sure!" I packed a usual Bento for #1.

MONDAY
When I went to pick her up after her BM papers at 11.55p.m., she came running into the car and started crying! Ouch!! She refused to respond and asked to be left alone. She refused all forms of bribery including ice-cream and Japanese food. She flinched when I tried to hold her hands! I was very hurt! Not because she flinched but because she was feeling hurt. I decided to keep quiet and drove straight home. My husband came home almost immediately when I told him what had happened.

With swollen eyes she told her dad that she was okay and locked her room door again. Hubs said she'd be okay and left for work again. I didn't see her until dinner time. It was a very quiet dinner.

TUESDAY
She was going though some notes when I got downstairs to prepare the Bentos. "Mum, I only want fruits today." (She didn't have much dinner last night). She refused all food offered for breakfast...I was upset but I kept silent. I kept reminding myself that the 'dumb' exams were causing her stress and she had lost her appetite.

In the end, she left her fruit Bento at home and down-ed two Onigiri for breakfast when I was busy packing her sister's Bento. I only realized it when I got home and saw the container had one Onigiri left instead of three.

I picked her up at 1.10p.m. and her spirits seemed to be more jovial. Easy papers she quipped. She'd just finished English paper 1 and 2 and Science paper 1. I felt a lot happier seeing her smile. She was ready for PHOP (Paddington's House of Pancakes) in 1U.

She decided to order something new, loaded with ice-cream and fruits. Not something I enjoyed but she seemed to enjoy it, that was important because it put her in a better mood. Food always put her in a good mood.

While she was back to school to sit for her second Science paper, I had to take #1 for lunch at Italiannies. I was stuffed and almost had pasta and tomatoes spewing out of my nose and ears!!
Conclusion: Exam period is bad for health, both physical and mental!

WEDNESDAY (TODAY)
"Mum, I don't want any food tomorrow," she said before she went to sleep last night. We had a simple western meal last night and she finished all her food. I noticed that her appetite was better.

I picked her up at 11.55a.m. this morning and rushed home to send #3 to school. Today's paper was Maths and I think it must have been a breeze because she was talking non-stop! She was her usual self. In the car she decided she wanted to have Japanese food for lunch before going back at 2.15p.m. for the History paper.

When we got home to send #3 to school, she was still trying to finish some homework. #2 was hurrying #3 and there was some cross-fire! #2 came charging downstairs and declared that it was too late to go for lunch and that I should send her back to school. She is very sensitive to #3 and they are often at logger heads. Sigh!

There was only a ten minute delay and #2 was all frazzled. I just rounded them both into the car and dropped #3 off to school. #2 face was still black when we reached the Japanese restaurant and made our orders.

When her meal came, she looked at me and said "Ma, saik" (read in Cantonese, meaning "Mum, eat") and as she ate, her mood improved and started chatting with me. She updated me on the papers she had sat for and for the upcoming ones tomorrow and Friday. After we ate, we spent another half an hour at the restaurant with her running through her work sheets.

I sent her back to school and picked her up at 3.30p.m. and she was still smiling. Good sign. She seemed happy with the History paper, which happens to be her worst subject.

I'm looking forward to the end of PMR because right now, I have to be extra sensitive to all the kids and try to manage them without stressing any of them out or allowing them to stress each other out. Otherwise, when one or the other gets stressed then all hell will break loose.

#1 is also having her exams. The Bento came back half finished so I need to check if it's the food or she's starting to loose her appetite because of exam stress. Sigh!

#3 exams start tomorrow, this one is cool as a cucumber. Everyday just talking about Christmas and presents. *shakes head in despair*

Note: Hubs and I don't pressure our children to score straight A's. We are happy that they average their results. If the A's fall in, we're ecstatic otherwise B's are still acceptable. We want them to enjoy their school life like we did and go through a well rounded and exposed study, social and spiritual journey.

As a result we have three different characters in our children.
#1 - happy go lucky, I'll deal with whatever comes my way attitude.
#2 - perfectionist to the extent of 'kiasu', want to excel in everything attitude.
#3 - happy go lucky, the sky can come down for all I care attitude.

All I can do is get on my knees and pray harder for better days to come?!!
*shakes head again*

Bento #38

#2 is getting #1 to help her with some last minute revision on her Maths.

I'm waiting to send #2 to school that's why I have some time in my hands to upload a new post so early.

I made a batch of Japanese potato salad yesterday and packed a blob into the bento box. There were fruits as usual, honey stars and two mini croissants.

Swift and easy bento!!

Bento #37

I went fruit shopping over the weekend. I don't buy watermelon often because I always get the bland tasting ones but this was very sweet. Cut them up with cookie cutters.

Toasted a 'roti chanai' (Pratta) and dusted some castor sugar on top. Filled the remaining space with an Onigiri and a chocolate treat. #2 doesn't like rice during exam periods but Onigiri is fine, she said.




I mixed salt and sesame seeds into the rice and filled with some fried salmon which I added Kewpie mayo and freshly cracked black pepper. It was heavenly!! Look at this picture!
Sorry about the shadow, couldn't be rid of it no matter which position I shifted and I didn't have time to Photoshop or crop it!

Bento #36

Wow! I can't believe I'm into my 3rd dozen Bento already. Since the two girls are still into salad and fruits, I shall be packing one layer with it for a while to come.

This morning's dressing was very simple, light and nice. I had a whole bowl of mixed salad with tomatoes and grapes. Drizzled some cold pressed Olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a generous amount of salt and freshly ground pepper and mix well.

Since PMR commences today, #2 asked for sandwiches to pack. I just made a cheese and Spam triple decker of white and wholemeal bread. This can be quite filling. Added a box of honey stars for #1 to snack on.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki is my one of my favorites too. It's made of a flour batter with Tako, Tenkasu (Tempura or rice crispies), Green onions, chopped cabbage and benishoga (red ginger).
The making of Takoyaki is a complicated process if one has never seen it. Terri asked for this recipe and I had wanted to take some photographs and post it onto my blog.

I asked #2 to help me take the photos and she quipped "Mum! There are loads of "how to's" on You Tube, why do you have to do this?" *Ting! - light bulb lights up - rings a bell!*
"You are right! I said." I'll just take shots of the ingredients and the utensils required for making Takoyaki. For the actual process, please view the You Tube link above. It's much easier than if I write it down.

One of the main ingredients is the Tako. However, you can also replace with prawns if you wish.

Pictures below shows ready mix takoyaki flour. Left one from 100 Yen shop and right one from Jaya Jusco under the Top Value brand.












Batter:

• 4/5 cup (100g) prepackaged takoyaki mix.
• 340cc cold water
• 1 large egg

This is beni shoga.


For the filling:

• 1/4 lb (120g) boiled octopus (Japanese prefer the tentacles), cut into 1/2″or bite-sized dice.
  
• 1/2 cup (18g) tenkasu
• 1 Tb (6g) beni shoga (red pickled ginger), chopped (optional)
  
• half green onion, chopped

Takoyaki sauce on the left.

Aonori flakes on the right.

Katsuobushi below.

For the topping:

• takoyaki sauce
  
• aonori (seaweed flakes)
• katsuobushi (bonito flakes)
• Kewpie mayonnaise
  
• Make the batter by whisking together the mix and water well, then beating in the egg. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the tenkasu, benishoga and green onion. Keep octopus at hand.
• If using a nonstick takoyaki pan, heat the pan first, then oil the surface with cooking oil spray, an oil brush or a folded paper towel dipped in vegetable oil. (If using cast iron, oil the pan first, then heat over medium heat.)
  

Follow the steps in the You Tube link (above) to cook. There itself is a recipe provided. I haven't tried that recipe yet, if you try it please let me know how it turned out.

You need either a cast iron takoyaki pan (like mine below) or a non-stick, electric one as shown in the You Tube link. You also need a pair of long satay sticks to pick and roll the takoyaki. It's really very simple so don't be put off by the thought that it looks difficult, it's not.
















After the takoyaki balls are ready, place on a plate and drizzle generously, the Takoyaki sauce, Kewpie Mayo, Aonori and Katsuobushi on top and serve warm.

Bento #35

This morning I made a vegetable and fruit tortilla wrap. There were two slices of Bega cheese, some greens, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes and grapes. Topped it with a mixture of thousand island and salad cream.

I toyed with the idea of packing a mixed salad but looking at the size of the box, I had second thoughts. The salad and fruits wrapped in a tortilla seemed like a more fulfilling meal.

I also packed some Japanese seaweed for her to snack on.

Yesterday #1 went to a Ramadan bazaar and bought back 'ayam percik, roti jala, ayam rendang' and lots of other treats.

#1 likes 'roti jala' very much so I reserved some so that I could pack her some today. Doesn't the rendang look delicious? Indeed, it was delicious!

Before I closed the Bento box, I wrapped a cling wrap around the rendang foil cup because I didn't want it to mess up the 'roti jala'.

Recipe for ODEN

Sometimes I don't know if my blog readers want the recipes to the dishes that I post up and I usually wait until someone asks for it. It takes some effort to put the recipe down and it's a waste to post something up that people may not use.

Anyway, I'm glad Terri asked for this recipe. This is my favorite Japanese dish! Love it, love it love it!!

I've improvised this from the original recipe because it's flavored to suite our palette. The basic recipe is the same except that I've used some local ingredients, otherwise it can get very expensive to eat this on a regular basis. This is quite a big pot of Oden, you may want to half the recipe.
I like my Oden with lots of soup so you need to get ready a big enough pot to contain all these:

Ingredients:
"A"
5 hard boiled eggs, shell removed (number of eggs according to number of people)
1 whole Japanese Daikon (white raddish)
1 piece of lotus root (lin gau cut into rounds)
2 carrots
4 US potatoes
2 packets of chikuwa (the local ones come in about 1" lengths)
2 packets of Konnyaku(cut lengthwise and then cut into twelve pieces)
2 packets of local fish balls (fried or otherwise)
1 piece Kamaboko (optional if you have enough local fish balls)
2 packets of fish sausages
6 pieces of atsuagé or I prefer to use Abura-age (fried tofu used in Miso soup)
12 pcs of dried Shitake (rinse and soak in hot water for 20 minutes - cut off the stems)
3 packets hanpen (cut into two triangles)


For broth:
12 cups of Dashi
1/4 cup of sake
2 tbsp of sugar
1/2 cup Japanese "light shoyu" - to taste (Usukuchi)
2 soup spoons of fish sauce (optional)

Method:

• Prepare all the ingredients in "A":
• Hard boil the eggs and remove shell.
• Skin and cut daikon, carrots, potatoes and lotus root.
• Soak and cut off the stalks of shitake.
• Wash all the fish balls and other ingredients.
• Blanch Abura-age with hot water and cut into half.
• Konnyaku has to be blanched in hot water for 1-2 minutes before use.

Once all the ingredients are prepared and ready:

• Prepare a BIG pot
• Pour the dashi into the pot and add the rest of sake, sugar, shoyu and fish sauce.
• Leave on medium fire and bring to boil.

• Meanwhile, put daikon, carrots and lotus root into a pot of boiling water for about 3 minutes. Then add US potatoes (they cook quite fast) in and continue boiling for 2 minutes.
• Pour away the water and add all the 'root' vegetables into the big pot of stock and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.
• Taste the stock and add shoyu and/or fish sauce to taste.
• Add in all the rest of the ingredients and allow to simmer for 45 minutes. Don't over-boil, allow to simmer all the time.

Serve hot or cold with prepared Japanese mustard or Dijon Mustard.

Note: You can add seasonal vegetables, chicken or pork into your pot of Oden. Serve with rice or Udon noodles.

I hope I've covered everything. The links are from the ever reliable Wikipedia.

Bento #34

Yesterday, after school, I asked #1 to pump petrol for my car and take #2 to buy some more work books.

After they got back, they came into the house giggling and laughing (must have had a great bonding session). #2 said "Mum!, I'm putting on weight, can I please have more fruits and vegetables in my Bento box?" Before I could respond, she continued, "Look at che-che's belly" (pointing at #1's belly). "Yeah! Mum! Look at my belly!" exclaims #1, especially when I sit down, I have to shift all the excess into my jeans!"
Eh! Go to the gym lah! say I. "I only can go after my PMR! exclaims #2!" "Mum! I am having exams too, exclaims #1!"

"Okay, okay! Got it! I say". More fruits and vegetables you'll get. Surely you're not putting on weight because of my Bento box meals! It must be from all the teas and supper you have with your friends when you go out with them!

Sheepishly #1 says "no mum, I only drink when I go out, I normally don't eat anything". Huh! Don't I know you? All this 'mamak culture' with all the greasy foods. Starbucks and Secret Recipe doesn't help either.

We'll see how to change your menus. *scratches head* Another task ahead....

Bento #33

When I packed Bento #32, it was very easy and quick because everything was ready, just needed to put into the Bento.

I try not to do that too often because the kids don't exactly enjoy 'left overs'.


This morning, I got up earlier by 15 minutes because I wanted to prepare Onigiri for them. I cooked the two cups of rice this morning because Onigiri must be prepared with fresh, hot rice.

I made mini Onigiri's in two flavours, one with furikake and the other with tuna mayo filling. Dropped in some cherry tomatoes for color.

The other box had a 'cheezy ham melt' bun and some cut oranges and apples. Simple and filling Bento.