Big Shiny Bento

Since nobody writes me letters anymore, I just buy books. Its more fun opening a book anyway cause they have nice big colorful pictures, and they tell me things I want to hear. Letters from that aunt everyone has can be less than complimentary at times (even if i do deserve it I don’t really want to read it!).

This time the books are Fun & Fancy Sushi by Seiko Ogawa, Ine Mizuno, and Ken Kawasumi; and Japanese Homestyle Cooking by Tokiko Suzuki.

Fun & Fancy Sushi has all kinds of sushi ideas from the traditional piece of fish on rice with a seaweed belt, to rice ball ice cream cones and even a sushi cake of sorts. There is something in here for everyone it seems, and most of this would be awesome to serve at a party most of it would be great for kids!

Japanese Homestyle Cooking is a great book that not only walks you through the basic tools before getting started but spends a whole chapter just on cutting techniques. Also at the back of the book is how to prepare foods - like clean fish, and devein shrimp. In between are lots of little recipes for tasty dishes or meals. Some of the best ones are one pot meals and the variations on miso soups!

Now if I can just find time to try these out…

Why not bento boxes or bento tools for that special person on your list?

My oldest daughter is about olde enough to start enjoying the banana themed lunchbox I got her this summer. I expect I’ll be getting her another box or two. She has a plastic panda shaped snack box already that she adores!

With the selection of bento boxes available (worldwide, if not in your home town), there is something out there for everyone. And with the economic downturn more people will be bringing their lunch to work than ever before in an attempt to save money.

Bento tools and books help you make great lunches that look fun, and are fun to eat. I have a few books that I get ideas for bento lunches from, and not all the books are about bento! The party sushi book is fun, and has lots of big color pictures for those beginners.

If you know someone who sells Tupperware, talk to them about bento boxes and see what they can come up with. If enough people do that, Tupperware will come up with some good lunch boxes. They have some basic ones already, but they can always be better, right?

If you are looking for stocking stuffers, why not animal picks? or fun sauce containers? or themed dividing papers?

I think we’ll revisit this topic in December when the rush gets into full swing.

Hopefully, I’ve put a bug in your ear to get you moving on that shopping list in your pocket.

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!

I’ve been going over lots of ideas for fun lunches lately - I’ve been inspired by all this new gear I got!

But I never seem to have the veggies and stuff I want at home when I want it. I’m considering getting a veggie delivery service. There are some local farms that will drop off a basket of veggies weekly to your house! The veggies will be seasonal but include greens and onions and staples as well.

I’d still have to go shopping for specialty stuff, but this would make sure I have the basics at home to make something. Plus with my wife on mat leave, there’d be someone home to put them away on delivery.

I think I’ll check them out this weekend at the farmer’s market and see what their prices are like. It will sure beat (beet?) weeding the garden all summer, even if it means more grass to cut!

Are you having problems getting your kids to eat seafood?

Do you tell them its good for them, only to get the plate shoved away?

Well, worry no more! Here is a new way to get them to eat.. octopus! Yes that once icky food now is cute and fun!

You can get a little tool that cuts the hotdog into a 6-armed octopus. Then you cut small pieces of nori (seaweed wrap used on sushi), wet the hotdog surface, and place the eyes/nose/moth/etc. on to stick in place! Kids will love it!

The thing on top of the one head was supposed to be a baseball cap. Oh well first try.

I just ordered some more bento stuff. I have a young daughter so I got some nice sauce bottles and mini spoon, as well as a couple nice bento boxes. I also found what seems to be an even larger bento box than my original, but still only for one person plus it has a nice thermal bag!

If you tune in here in a couple weeks you should see the items start to appear in my lunches, which I will be starting up again with the warmer season.