Mini Hamburgers

From Just Bento by Makiko Itoh page 27

Made in bento with boiled carrots, blanched snow peas, red onion and parsley salad, rice, and fruit.

Didn't have the variety of meat so I made 100% ground beef mini burgers rather than the pork, veal, and beef combo.

Didn't saute the onion first because I forgot.

Chicken Kara-age with Green Onion Sauce

From Just Bento by Makiko Itoh
page 35

Green Beans with Pine Nuts and Miso

From Just Bento by Makiko Itoh
Pages 36 - 37

This was really easy to make.  I am putting it in a pseudo-bento (Rubbermaid!) with Chicken Kara-age, white rice, fruit (red grapes, clementine for Curtis, and pluot for me), and a little sweet treat (Lychee gummies).

Smells good, looks a little gloopy.  I tried to double the recipe but I might not have used enough beans.  Maybe three of my handfuls rather than just two.

My First Bento!

In an effort to eat more healthily, use more left-overs, pack food more efficiently, and in general be kinda nifty, I've decided I'm going to try making bento boxes for lunches! This first one was for Curtis to take with him to work.

I am ridiculously pleased with myself.

Rice balls
- white rice (left over from dinner)
- chicken teriyaki (left over from dinner)
- sprinkled with goma sio
To make the rice balls, I got my hands wet and scooped up some rice into my left hand. With my right hand, I pushed in some of the left over chicken teriyaki (cut up into little pieces) into the rice. Then I tried to fold the rice around the chicken teriyaki, but ended up having to pick up more rice with my right hand and kinda smoosh it on. Then I rolled it around in my hands (keeping my hands wet really helped keep the rice from sticking) until it was smooth and none of the chicken poked out. Then I sprinkled the goma sio (black sesame seeds and salt) over the top of the rice ball.

Veggies
- snap peas
- carrots
- grape tomatoes (which, I have been informed, are gross)

Interested in bentos? Check out http://justbento.com