BENTO #102

Yesterday was an insane day because I had to run un-imaginable number of trips to settle outstanding errands. I'm making up this Bento for yesterday because my next run begins in the afternoon and I need lunch.

Remember? Hubs is still in Aussieland with #1. #2 is downtown @ KLCC for her second day performance and "Miss Picky eater" and I don't share the same menu! So, Bento, I must!

I made a 'sushi sandwich' today. I buttered a slice of bread, put some tomatoes, some salad, asparagus (the last lot) and a squeeze of Sweedish Creme Salmon (from Ikea - looks like toothpaste). I topped a piece of Nori with a slice of cheese and smothered it with Mille wholegrain mustard. Then I rolled it in the plastic cling wrap and sliced it into half.



Today's Bento has some rice topped with black sesame seeds, two pieces of Gyoza, my absolute favorite Gobo Kimpira (last lot *sniff, sniff*) and the balance of some blanched Asparagus spears .

In the front box, I filled the hard triangle plastic container with Natto, the two halved sandwiches and a Hello Kitty hard boiled egg - was trying out my new mold bought on-line from New Stylish Tokyo.


Look at the frozen Natto before it thawed. Mmmm.....DELICIOUS!!


Now, let me tell you how my lunch tasted. I had a bite of the sandwich first. Not a good idea to add the salad. The first bite resulted in drawing out all the salad. It left my sandwich with a hollow in the center. *Note to myself - pack this without salads* The taste was good though except with the little struggle of the salad.

Next, I had a piece of Gyoza, this is a sure win because I've kinda perfected the recipe and it was delicious. The rice was eaten with the natto and Gobo kimpira and was the most satisfying mouth full from the entire meal.

Honestly speaking, I didn't eat the Hello Kitty hard boiled egg. I was too stuffed up and even the 'cuteness' of the egg couldn't tempt me. *Burps!* Excuse me! *Burps again* What a wonderful meal!

I don't know why but I feel so satisfied and happy after I have my Bento. I'm sure that it's not because "I" made it. It's more like the excitement and anticipation of the flavour that I experience with each bite of the 'unexpected?'. This is amazing and addictive.

Looks like it's going to be two Bento's a day from next week onwards! Yippee!!!

Recipe for Miso egg plant

Pan-fried egg plant with Miso - (Nasu No Nabeshigi)

Ingredients:
(A)
6 egg plants - cut into rounds about 1cm
Oil - 3 Tbsp
Sesame oil - 3-4 Tbsp
(B)
Miso - 3 Tbsp
Mirin - 3 Tbsp
Sake - 3 Tbsp
Water - 2 Tbsp
Sugar - 3 Tbsp
(C)
Toasted white sesame seeds - 2 Tbsp

1. Mix (B) together in a bowl until smooth.
2. Pan-fry (A) egg plants in oils till brown on both sides.
3. Pour mixture (B) over the pan-fried egg plants. Cook until the sauce thickens and egg plants are well coated.
4. Serve on a plate topped with (C) toasted sesame seeds.

Enjoy!

Recipe for Burdock Kimpira

Burdock Kimpira (Kimpira Gobo)

Recipe:
Ingredients:
(A)
150 g burdock root (gobo)
1 small carrot
(B)
1 1/2 Tbsp Sesame oil
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp sake
2 Tbsp shoyu
(C)
1 1/2 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
Dried Japanese red chilli (optional)

Method:
1. Scrape burdock root and cut into julienne strips.
Note: The burdock root turns black easily when exposed to air so you need to keep it soaked in water (like what you would do for potatoes).

2. Pour sesame oil onto skillet and saute the (A) burdock together with the julienned carrot for a few minutes until tender but not soft.

3. Mix the (B) liquids and sugar together and pour it into the skillet and continue cooking under medium fire until almost dry.

4. Toss in chopped dried Japanese chilli and top with toasted sesame seeds.

Enjoy!

BENTO #101

I've always thought that green and yellow is an ideal match in terms of color? I tried to theme today's bento in those colors.

In the left box is some plain onigiri rice topped with some ume furikake. In between the rice, I slipped in some takuan. I filled the huge silicon cup with Burdock kimpira.

In the right side box, there was a foil cup filled with asparagus, spring onions, beaten egg, shoyu, mirin and mayonnaise - baked in an oven toaster. For vegetables, I had steamed baby corn. I steamed some Japanese sweet potato for desert.

For more desert, I had dried cranberries which I put into the small "froggie" box.

Now, let me share with you how my lunch tasted. The onigiri cylinders went well with the Burdock kimpira, it was crunchy, flavorful and spicy because there was dried chillies in it.

The baked egg was really good. I think the mayonnaise added to it's flavor and this is definitely going to appear in future bentos because I'm sure #2 is going to like it too. The corn was 'ordinary' but the Japanese sweet potatoes were awesome. So, so sweet, as though dipped in syrup!!

The dried cranberries had a tangy taste to it so again, it was a good finish to a simple meal.

I am going to post up the recipes for yesterday's miso egg plant and today's Burdock kimpira. I think they are delicious and certainly worth trying out.

P/s
I sent this bento post to Coffee & Vanilla for their Wholesome Lunchbox monthly food blogging event.

More reasons to Bento

I was checking my mail this morning when I came across some interesting articles on primary school pupils 'eating healthy meals'. According to the Press Association, research has found that more pupils are 'eating healthy meals' - read here.

However, where primary school pupils numbers are on the increase, the Secondary school students numbers are on the decline. According to the same article "Teenagers are independent young people and changing entrenched eating habits does not happen overnight. They need food education and encouragement from schools to change their eating habits."

And so true it is. Eating habits does not happen overnight, parents like us can vouch for that statement. It is a life long process beginning from an early age. Like what the Chinese saying that goes "You cannot straighten an old bent tree or You cannot teach an old dog new tricks."

The statistics in the article relate to schools in UK where the new Government rules require greater use of fresh ingredients cooked from scratch. The only setback is the escalation of food prices which deters purchasing of quality dinners.

Pupils prefer to 'choose junk food' because it's cheaper and the queues are shorter. Read here. Quote: "Our research found that local takeaways in the school fringe were undercutting the school canteen by offering child-sized portions for £1.

"This meant that for the equivalent price of a school meal, pupils could buy chicken and chips or a whole pizza and still have money left over for a drink or sweets."

In a bid to keep the pupils within the school compound, a UK government minister said this "Children should be forced to stay on school grounds at lunchtime in a bid to stop them eating junk food". Education minister Kevin Brennan insisted the restriction could help tackle obesity and prevent tensions with those who live nearby.

As a parent I find this statement amusing. In a country like UK where there is so much said about freedom of rights and development, they are trying to use 'force' on their citizens?

Hahaha! What a joke. Isn't healthy eating habits, behavioural patterns and accountability part and parcel of our responsibility as parents to our own kids. You don't need to agree with me, this is solely my own opinion. Any moron can see that trying to 'force' anything on any people in any part of the world cannot work!!

Part of the reason my daughters insist on bringing their Bento to school is because of the long queues at the canteen during break time. The local Malaysian school system breaks for 15-20 minutes including the time taken for the kid to walk from the third floor downstairs and another 10-15 meters to the canteen and that again take the same route back to the class within the stipulated time. No wonder, sometimes, my kids either have to wolf down their food and risk a tummy ache from lack of chewing or leave the balance for after school to consume!

One of the reasons that has made me a 'frenzied bento packer' is because in Malaysian school canteens, the most salable foods are nuggets, fries, nasi lemak and junk food.

Read here for more insight about how, quote: "food bought by pupils outside school provided at least 23% of their daily energy requirement and was often high in fat or sugar.

The top 10 foods bought in local shops included fizzy drinks, chocolate, sweets, crisps, cakes, biscuits and chips.

BENTO #100

Today, I made myself some fancy sushi. I simply mixed some sakura denbu into the rice to add some color to compliment the carrot.

I blanched some watercress, spun dry them in a salad spinner and topped them with lots of black and white sesame seeds and rolled them up in a Nori sheet. I learnt this from a Macrobiotic summer camp which I attended years ago in US organized by Michio Kushi.

There was some shiba zuke (pickles) and left over carrot sticks.

In the right side box, was an orange and some miso simmered egg plant.

Since I am the one eating it let me tell you how it tasted. The fancy sushi was quite a bland mouth full but it went very well with the strong flavor of the miso egg plant, in fact it was delicious. I also complimented the fancy sushi with the shiba zuke and it was good.

The Nori rolled watercress is a sure win because it's been my favorite for years. The trick here is, you need to spin it very, very dry and allow to air dry for a while before rolling it up. Don't over cook the watercress or else it'll be mushy, it has to be still crunchy - blanch stalk first and then the leaves.

The carrots obviously tasted like carrots - sweet and crunchy. The orange added a nice tanginess to the end of a delicious bento meal.

I like this and I think I shall embark on making bentos for myself. *nods head in agreement* Yeah! It's a great idea!

BENTO PET'S BENTO COMPETITION

Today, 8th July, is supposed to be my 100th Bento post. Incidentally, 29th July 2008 commemorates my blog’s first anniversary. I’ve been cracking my grey cells in hope to find some interesting topic to commemorate this milestone in my life.

Unfortunately too many things are happening at one time and I’ve been hit by all life’s challenges all at once!

• Hubs and #1 leaves for Australia in a couple of hours to participate in the World Youth Day celebrations from 15th – 20th July in Sydney.

• #2 has incessant rehearsals at ungodly hours for the upcoming musical which debuts on 11th July and runs till 13th July.
  

• The Mega sale has just started and things are being sold at ridiculous prices.

• My blog has reached it’s 100th Bento post and is one year old on the 29th of July 2008!

Admittedly, all this is good, so I’m going to CELEBRATE to COMMEMORATE this wonderful occasion with a Bento competition. I know it’s not anything new, Bento competitions are quite rampant in Bento blogs but I’m doing this because I want to encourage and provide some incentive to Bento enthusiasts.

I notice that many people start to Bento and after a period of time, the passion dies off. This includes me, especially when life's' challenges become too difficult to handle and when we become busy elsewhere and we tend to take leave from Bento.

To get back into the Bento-action is almost impossible sometimes. I've gone through that roller coaster and it almost cost me the closure of this blog. *shivers at the thought*.

After sending Hubs and #1 off, I sent #2 to KLCC for her rehearsal. I shopped for a while and managed to get some stuff for the Winners Prize haul that I am putting up for the Bento competition. I also picked up some things from the 100 Yen store and I hope it's good enough to lure you Bento enthusiasts to submit a Bento for Bento Pet's Bento Competition.

The reason I am having this Bento competition is basically an incentive for people who are currently packing Bento. Please don't hate me. I am setting some criteria because I enjoy visiting Bento sites that are regularly updated and it inspires me that some people are so passionate about Bento-ing.

I've seen submissions for Bento competitions come in from first timers and even Bentos that don't really qualify as Bento - a sandwich and a fruit doesn't constitute a Bento (my personal opinion).

I feel disappointed that the regular Bento packers are not recognized because theirs was not a kyaraben (character) Bento. Don't get me wrong, I love kyaraben bentos. I am awed by what all the Japanese super mums are churning out for their kids. It's an ART form of it's kind flowed only from the love of these selfless mums.

But what about all the other 'regular people' who pack 'regular bentos'. I see them posting up on their blogs day after day, week after week and months after months. I'm inspired by their effort and their own creativeness. I feel their passion in updating their blogs with their Bentos - also made with care and much love. I want this competition to be for people like "us" - regular people packing regular bentos. I hope you understand.

Often we (yeah! I feel so too) get excited when someone drops a comment and it inspires us to keep going. When there is silence, we continue to plod on until the next challenge comes along to break our spirit or to inspire us to continue. I'm sure many of us Bento packers feel this way.

So, all said and done, I hope you don't get angry with my comments, which are solely my opinions and not meant to insult anyone.

The criteria for Bento Pet's Bento Competition will be:

• You must be currently packing bentos.
• You currently own a blog, please provide your blog link.
• Your blog must have at least blogged about ten bentos made by you.
• You may make a new bento for this competition or send in an old picture of Bento made by you. You may add some kawaii accessories, e.g. food picks, sauce bottles etc.
  
• This competition does not accept Kyaraben bentos (THOUSAND APOLOGIES). You can however have shaped onigiri or other food stuff using cutters or shapers.
  
• Describe your bento components. It does not necessarily have to follow the 3:2:1 formula but require some variety.
• Please provide your name and which country you are from.
• Entry deadline will be the date of my blog's first anniversary. i.e. 29th July 2008.
• (edit) Please e-mail to: japanesehomestylecooking@gmail.com
• (edit) Please link back to this post: http://onabentofrenzy.blogspot.com/2008/07/bento-pets-bento-competition.html
  
• (edit) If possible please include this icon
  

• (edit) More than one entry accepted but only the best, if selected will be posted.
  

I know that by putting up this post, I'm opening myself to much criticism. I plead for your understanding and ask of you to support my quest to promote and affirm 'us', the regular Bento packers.

So, for the rest of 'us' please send in your bento's ASAP (as soon as possible) to win this:

One packet of kawaii bag clips.
One pink Hello Kitty bag.
One pack of 4 pieces Hello Kitty color pencils.
One white 2 tier Bento box - 500ml capacity.
One Tulip wiener cutter.
One scoring wiener cutter.
Two face punches.


One insulated Winnie the Pooh bag (yellow).
One Rainbow Pooh Bento Box with divider (yellow) - 440ml capacity.
One Rainbow Pooh fruit box (yellow)- 200ml capacity.
One two tier Lube Sheep Bento box (blue) - 610ml capacity.
One packet of Japanese sweets.
One packet of dried Fu.

A close up look at the face punches.

One more close up shot.

All these items will go to the first prize winner of the Bento Pet Bento Competition. I will ship to the winner in any part of the world.


p/s
Sorry no Bento today. No more energy after shopping for this Winners prize haul!

BENTO #99

My #2 has rehearsals at ungodly hours for a musical which she's involved with. The musical begins this Friday (11th) and runs up to Sunday (13th).

Only yesterday I realized that I had signed a letter addressed to her school headmistress to excuse her for ONE WHOLE WEEK! Oops! I didn't read what I signed, but...even if I had read it, I wouldn't have a choice because there's no other option. *sigh*

So people, no Bento for one week!! Aiyah! Cannot lah! *thinks of what to do*.


I'll just have to eat the Bento myself. Yeah! I'll treat myself to my Bentos! How about that? I think it's a great idea. Hehehe!

I didn't have to rush to make my Bento so I took my time and tried to make some 'designer' sausages. The first one on the left is supposed to be a bird. Next to it are little lambs "baaa baaa baaa!" There is Mr. Octopus with a hat and the last one is supposed to be a rabbit? I had fun cutting them into shape and it was easy!



I lined the box with carrot flowers, packed some cucumbers and squeezed in a cup of corn kernels topped with cheddar cheese. Actually, I cut the corn kernels off the cob because the fibers from the cob sometimes get between the teeth and can be quite irritating.

I fried some asparagus spears wrapped with bacon and the balance left over strawberries dipped in delicious chocolate. I cut up the left over carrot bits to create a 'fountain' effect in the cup of asparagus spears to rid the dull brown colors.

After taking the photos, I sat down to eat and found that it was really 'too much food' like what #2 is always telling me. Seriously, while posting this, I am still struggling to finish my strawberries and corn. I am so FULL!!

This Bento box is certainly too big and the wrong size! It's capacity is 580ml and according to this, I should be using a 700ml box. No way! I'm sure #2 won't even have enough time during recess to eat this. Well, this is a good experience for me because if I didn't have to eat from this Bento, I would always be worried that my kids don't have enough to eat. Another day, another lesson!

By the way, the strawberries dipped in chocolate was divine!!

BENTO #98

Hmmmm.....I wonder how #2 will react when she sees Salmon in her salad. I'm guessing that she'll be happy because it is, after all her favorite fish!

She couldn't finish yesterday's Bento. It was too much, she said. Part of the orange and some croutons were left over. I need to remember that she's a small eater and that I shouldn't try to 'sneak' more food than necessary into her Bentos!

I used the same mixed salad that I bought on Wednesday. In it has a mixture of Baby Romaine & Lollo Rossa/Red Leaf. I bought the mixed pack because it's more economical than buying individual packs and not being able to finish before it all wilts away.

This morning I tossed the mixed salad with corn, freshly fried Salmon, plump cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese and extra virgin olive oil. This is a delicious end to the week!!

In the other box, I sliced oranges and golden kiwi and placed them in a silicon cup. The monkey container is the teeniest-weeniest tub of Japanese Kewpie Mayo ever!! Next to it is the ever-favorite banana sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

Bon Appetit!

BENTO #97

I went shopping for ideas and salads yesterday. I surfed the net for salad recipes. I went to the supermarket to buy salad related ingredients.

Hard boiled egg was a good option to fill the tummy and that's what #2 got for her Bento this morning. I sliced the hard boiled egg and laid it on a bed of mixed salad. I sprinkled some raisins all over and added her favorite plump cherry tomatoes. I tossed the salad with some extra virgin olive oil before I put them all into the Bento box.

In the other box, I filled a small container with some peanuts for her to snack on. In the silicon cup, I added some oven toasted croutons shaped in tulips, sakura flower and butterflies (all cut up using small vegetable cutters).

I skinned an orange for her and filled the small green tub with minimal amount Thousand Island salad cream. I'm sure today's box would be a substantial 'diet' meal, enough to last until lunch time.

Below, today's Bento box packed and ready to go!

#2 is really serious about her 'diet'. Yesterday, after school, she told me that she wanted to go swimming. Let me give you some history about this girl. #2 grew up with a very severe case of Sinusitis. When she was younger, she was a 'fragile' little girl. Sick in an instant and the Pediatrician was her best friend. She couldn't swim because it caused her Sinusitis to work up and she'd have trouble breathing. She hated exercise because it easily tired her.

Nevertheless, hubs and I journeyed with her through some terrible times of Sinus attacks and even bouts of misery. But, God is good! Her health has improved tremendously over the last couple of months because she's involved with a lot of dancing, and that means a lot of exercise and sweating. Her Sinus attacks has been reduced to minimal level and energy level has definitely doubled.

When she told me that she wanted to go swimming, I immediately took her shopping for a swimming costume at 1U. We managed to get a pretty orange two piece and two pairs of goggles. One for #3.

After that, I packed the both of them to the swimming pool and got #1 to fetch them much later. They had a great time although #2 said she had to look out for #3 all the time because she was all over the pool. #2 said she was worried about her sister, I was pleased to hear that she was looking out for her sister. It's just great that the two of them spent some 'bonding' time together. I'm happy!

Japanese Food Glossary

I've prepared a Glossary of Japanese ingredients which I use in my Bento blog. I've linked the Japanese name of the item to a previous post in this blog. The post that is linked may not be specifically mentioning the ingredient but there is some indication of the Japanese ingredient in the mentioned post.

I will be adding on more items to this list as I use other Japanese ingredients. I hope this will be helpful to some of you who are new to Japanese ingredients. Enjoy!


1. Abura-age - fried tofu slices. (abura = oil, age = fried)
2. Azuki - Small red beans used to make an.
3. Bento - traditional boxed lunch.
4. O-cha - green tea.
5. Chawan - rice bowl.
6. Chawan mushi - egg custard with diced vegetables.
7. Daikon - white carrot shaped Japanese radish.
8. Dashi - Fish stock for cooking, generally made from kombu (a type of sea weed) and
katsuobushi (dried bonito fish shavings.)
9. Donburi -This is a traditional lunch dish referring to the ceramic bowl and matching lid the
contents of this dish are served in.
Below are the individual names of each donburi dish depending on the contents.
• Gyūdon - rice with a beef topping.
• Yakitori donburi - rice with a chicken topping.
• Tendon - rice with a tempura topping.
• Unadon - rice with an unagi (Eel) topping.
• Katsudon - rice with a pork topping.
• Oyako donburi - rice with a chicken and fried egg topping.
10. Gohan - formal word for rice, also meaning "meal".
11. Gyoza - Chinese style dumplings of meat or vegetables.
12. Hijiki - a variety of seaweed.
13. Inari-zushi - sushi rice in fried tofu pockets.
14. Kombu - kelp - used in making dashi (soup stock).
15. Konnyaku - a gelatinous substance made from the "devils-tongue" tuber.
16. Kyuri - long and thin, Japanese cucumber.
17. Mirin - sweetened cooking sake.
18. Miso - fermented soybean paste.
19. Mochi - Sweet glutinous rice cakes.
20. Mochiko - Sweet glutinous rice flour.
21. Natto - sticky fermented soybeans.
22. Nori - dried seaweed which comes in very thin sheets.
23. Oden - fish, fish cake and vegetables simmered in broth.
24. Okonomiyaki - egg "pancakes" containing diced seafood, vegetables, or meat, that are grilled and topped with a savory sauce.
25. Onigiri - rice ball.
26. Ramen - Chinese style egg noodles.
27. Saba - Mackerel. 

28. Sake - Salmon.
29. Shoyu - soy sauce.
30. Soba - buckwheat noodles. Can be served hot or cold.
31. Tamago - egg.
32. Tamagoyaki - Fried egg.
33. Teriyaki sauce - A sweetened soy sauce.
34. Tempura - Battered and deep-fried seafood or vegetables.
35. Tonkatsu - Breaded and fried pork cutlet.
36. Usukuchi shoyu - Light Japanese soy sauce.
37. Wakame - a variety of seaweed.
38. Wasabi – a pungent mustard, made from green Japanese horseradish.
39. Yaki - grilled.
40. Yosenabe - A fish, seafood and vegetable soup made in a clay pot.

BENTO #96

#2 had a discussion with me after school about how she was putting on weight with all the food I was packing for her. Good gracious! I thought that I was already 'under packing' her food!

Apparently that is not the case. She insisted that she's putting on weight. She is declaring this week a "Fruit and Vegetable" Bento week!!

She's involved with a musical which will be launched next week end and she's already been measured for her costume since April. "Mum, I can't afford to be squeezing into the costume if I've put on weight"! She retorts with a grim face!

What the heck! She's taller than I am and certainly much thinner than many young girls her age. *Screams in my head but grins at #2* (Mum gets into this chilling mode again). Okay, I'm not going to argue about weight issues with #2. I just need to deal with it more positively.

Sometimes, even #3 will pose in front of the mirror with her bulging belly and ask if she's considered FAT? *sigh*

I decided to make #2 a fruit salad this morning. I cut up bananas, golden kiwi, apple, orange and strawberries. I squeezed the juice out of an orange, added some honey and some lime juice. It was a lovely and refreshing combination.

The citrus juice helps to keep the fruits from turning brown and gives it a light and refreshing taste.

The Bento box on the right is filled with a croissant cut into three pieces and slathered with Nutella. This is for #3. There is a pack of NIPs, just in case she wants to eat more.

I'm going shopping for salads later.
(My kid's diet has just turned into that of a COW! Moo!)

BENTO #95

When I was planning #2's box yesterday, we agreed on Mac & Cheese. This morning when she came downstairs, she said that she wanted her Mac & Cheese hot. How in the world was I going to keep the Mac & Cheese hot other than using a flask and for a 9 year old it could get tricky to have to wrestle with the screw top of the different layers. After much haggling, we decided on Chipsmore chocolate chip cookies and a bar of Cloud 9 (courtesy of Grandma).

I didn't think it constituted a "Bento" so I didn't take a picture to post in my blog. #3 pouted the whole morning and felt unhappy. I explained to her that if she didn't start eating more varieties of food then I was not going to post about her "Bento" because basically it isn't one!

One could hear pin drop SILENCE in the car the whole way to school.

When I went to fetch #2 yesterday from school. The first thing she responded after I asked if she finished her food was that she wanted more of those 'delicious, juicy sausages'.

Every night before I go to sleep, I would sit at the dining table with my green file and start planning the next morning's Bento box content. I would first write out the different types of food I planned to prepare the next morning, etc. I would then draw out the two layer box and roughly draw or write out the content in its sections. For example, for the top layer box, I would draw a divider to half the box, write the name of the food item on one side and another food item on the other side.

I would only decide on the size of the silicon cups on the morning itself because I had to have a gauge of the quantity. Obviously, what I plan to pack has to be in stock.

Late last night when I got home, I checked my green file to make sure I had everything in order, I saw this message scribbled on some empty space.
"Mum, I want breakfast too, please. Thank you. #1".
It's obviously the sausages!!!!

This is #2's Bento box for today. Her daddy is taking her to the dentist at 11.30a.m. That means she has to leave early today. I half expected her to tell me that she didn't need a box but that obviously didn't happen.

In the left lower box, are strawberries again (she loves them). Some more sausages, cut and skewered for easy eating. In the right upper box is a simple supply of crisp bread and a wedge of Happy cow Salmon cheese. I fried some French beans with prawns for a change.

Look at the Close-Up!

Viola! Another day! Another Bento!!

BENTO #93 & #94

Last weekend has been back to back with activities. Good thing I planned ahead to purchase strawberries from the Curve. They bring them in from Cameron Highlands and it's cheap. RM11 for three boxes. Only thing is you need to make sure not all the boxes are ripe and ready to eat unless you can finish them in a day or two. I usually tell the stall owner to select some not so ripe ones so that they can keep the week.

#3 was busy going out with Grandma. I didn't have time to discuss her menu with her. What I did was order two sourdough bread from Wilson. He freshly baked them and when I went to collect them I was surprised that he had fashioned one 'plait' style. #3 was with me then, she gave a squeal of surprise and was happy beyond words. In the car, she asked if she could pinch a piece to try. She finished half the plait loaf!

She was very upset this morning to find that #2 and mum had finished the balance half while she was away gallivanting with Grandma. Oopps! I had to spend the morning cajoling her into a better mood.

Finally, we discussed on the spot the contents of her box. It was going to be Sourdough bread and the last balance of tuna. She asked if she could have the 'Mr. Potato crisps' that Grandma bought for her. I had to try maintain her improved mood this morning and I had to respond positively, so I said yes.

#3 was gleaming and was happily helping me to set the Bento boxes for photography. Hmmm...the things we mothers have to undergo with young children. Gosh! I'm just glad she's growing up real fast. Jewel as she is, some mornings she can be a pain for all the wrong reasons!

#3 doesn't eat vegetables or fruits other than apples. In fact she doesn't eat most foods. There is a slight improvement lately but it's still a long and tedious journey. She does like McDonalds fried chicken, fries and junk foods. Personally I don't encourage my kids to patronize the fast food outlets but occasionally, we find ourselves there because of convenience. *sigh*


#2 has a box of fruits galore this morning. I filled the right lower box with some salad leaves, lined them with orange slices and topped with lovely strawberries and longan (all peeled, where can one get so good service?).

In the left upper box, I fried some cocktail sausages and skewered them with the balance salad leaves. This is a treat because we've not had sausages for a long while. Read here to know why.

I added the the last two slices of Brandy laden fruit cake and a heart shaped hard boiled egg. She didn't want Shoyu so there is no sauce bottle.

There is an Oshibori box which I think they both can't do without now. I don't hear any complaints or whining and that's a good sign!



p/s I managed to purchase another few Oshibori boxes from the Curve when I was there.
*grins*

How to select the right size Bento box

I picked this chart from : http://item.rakuten.co.jp/yellowstudio/c/0000000352/
This chart recommends the Bento box size to use for age group and height.

Biggie has a detailed, translated version but lately I've not been able to access her site. Another good reference for choosing the right Bento box is from Just Bento. The pink chart on the left is for female and the blue one on the right is for male.

• The first column is the age group.
• Second column is the height.
• Third column is calories/meal.
• The last column on the right is the recommended size box to use.

If you look under your Bento box, you will be able to see the capacity of the Bento box.
I remember reading somewhere that if your activity level and height exceeds the recommended size Bento box, you should add on 100ml capacity to what is recommended. The same vise-versa.

It's something you just adjust to suit your personal need. There's no hard and fast rule. If one is dieting, obviously pick a smaller box. I realized that my third daughter doesn't finish the two layer Bento box that I pack for her.

When I questioned her, she says that there is not enough time during recess. Being a mother, I'm all the time concerned that she's not got enough food to eat.

Looking at her age - 9 years old and her height at 139.7cm, she should be taking a 600ml Bento box. There's no way she can finish so much food - we're talking about packed capacity here, not loosely packed food. Knowing that she should have a 600ml box is one thing, the reality of it is she won't be able to finish the food. So, I just have to follow my gut feeling and go with the flow.

My second daughter is 16 years old and her height is 168cm. According to the chart above she is 11cm taller than stated and rightly should add another 100ml to the recommended 700ml box, which makes it to an 800ml box.

However, #2's a weight watcher and there's no way she'll eat so much. She's already on a permanent fruit and vegetable diet.

The boxes that I pack for her range from 500ml-600ml.

An example below would be the 330 ml for the upper box and 250ml for the lower box which makes a total of 580ml.




This one below also has two layers. The upper large box capacity is 320ml and the smaller box at the bottom is 180ml which makes a total of 500ml.

I usually use similar size boxes for her Bento. She's cool with it and most days finish what's inside if she's not rushing from one thing to another. I have larger capacity boxes but that's only used if I pack sushi for her.