Big Shiny Bento

Today was leftovers from supper, but they were really really good!

Last night I wanted to cook supper fast. I cubed 2 cm thick ham slices, diced 1/2 medium cooking onion, 1 large carrot, and 1 royal gala apple. I boiled the carrots, while cooking the rest together on high to brown. Then simmer on low, add some water, and after a while drain off the juice for sauce and add the carrots. I only used 1 onion, 1 apple, and 1 carrot but it was a really big carrot it seems. While that is simmering cook some small pasta - I used over a cup of gnochini. Use the juice to make a cream sauce - milk, butter, heat and stir on low, and add corn starch to thicken - you don’t need much sauce for this, just enough to coat things. Combine pasta, diced bits, and sauce in pan and toss. I decided to add some worchester sauce to the cream sauce and it added some zing to it.

Supper was a hit with the whole family, and with me again at lunch! Plus it pretty economical to boot.

Again sorry about no picture, but lunch went down fast today!

Today lunch is pretty ho-hum. Its left over spaghetti and meat sauce. The sauce has diced hamburger, celery, mushrooms, and onions. I threw in some apple slices on the side, and some cheese slices.

No picture because I was rushes, and its a boring lunch. 

I didn’t have time for a picture today, sorry folks! I was up late watching the election last night, so this morning was a bit rushed. In my area all the old MPs got in with almost the exact same votes as last time - that makes me a bit mad.

But enough about politics! Time for important things - like food!

Today I made fried rice to use up some leftovers. I sliced a cooked hamburger patty very thin. Then the same for the turkey and celery. I cooked the egg, onion, and some soy sauce broken up fine.

I cooked the rice up this morning so I had to re-cook it in the pan to get rid of excess water in it before frying it. Then toss in some oil, toss the rice, and toss in the goodies with some more tossing. Plus add a little soy sauce to flavor it.

I’m still working on portions - I ended up with my large 1 tier bento box (the blue one) full to the top, and enough leftover for my lovely wife to have for lunch as well.

Today is more in the true bento flavor.

The dark stuff is roast beef slow cooked with browned onions, chopped fine with soy sauce added. Baby carrots are at the end, and arranged with green onions into a carrot flower and leaves.

Beef rice with celery is in the bottom. It filled it up nicely, so I didn’t add any apples today.

Yup, today lunch is not the most healthy lunch, but its not bad. Its definitely more fun than usual.

Sliced apple, cheese, and beef jerky on the bottom level.

A raisin pastry and Ritz cheese sandwhich crackers on the top. I added a vanilla pudding for more volume.

The panda is a snack container I bought for my daughter. The head is hinged and the whole top pops off. Its really neat! I got it at Sobeys. I put it in since we watched Kung Fu Panda recently - awesome movie!

Sorry about the long title.

Today I used up the last of my Egg Beaters at work (cheddar and chive flavor) to make about a 3 egg omelette (took about 2 minutes in the microwave in 30 second intervals with stirring in between) in a bowl. Then put a slice of cheese on top of half, cut down the middle and separate the egg from the bowl with a fork. I dipped it in my leftover McDonald’s salsa and it was quite good!

With all the peanut allergies around these days, I feel this old favourite lunch of mine has been kicked out of schools. I find this a shame since my friends and I all enjoyed it growing up.

I’m talking about the good old PBJ - peanut butter and jam sandwhich. Add a glass of cold milk and you have a fairly healthy, and tastey lunch!

If only I could find a peanut butter substitute, that tasted similar and was at least as healthy…

Lunch today is not pretty or glamorous. But it is fairly healthy, and uses up canned food which is this week’s goal.

A cup of white rice mixed with peas and corn, topped with beef vegetable soup. When served I will be adding some soya sauce and possible a spot of garlic chilli hot sauce.

You don’t want to know last nights ecclectic snacking that helped use things up.

I’m cleaning out the canned goods at home so this week may find some strange lunches.

Today isn’t bento - its homemade chilli. Anyone can make it, and its fairly cheap to do.

Throw a can of diced tomatoes, beans (pinto or romano are best), mushrooms, browned onions, and spaghetti sauce into a slow cooker. You can add meat if you like as well. Let it cook away for a few hours, stirring to keep it from sticking to the bottom. When its done you have a great base for other dishes, or a feel good meal for winter months.

Today was something a little different. Chow mein and chicken rice in an omelette with cherry tomatoes on the side, and hoisin sauce to taste. Very good!