Top to Bottom: Grape tomatoes, onigiri with umeboshi and topped with Eden Shake furikake. Green grapes, blackberries and a kumquat.

Here's my newest bento box...or actually tiny steamers that have been recruited as bento! XD I had a bit of trouble fitting the lid over the onigiri, so I'll have to make it thinner next time I use this box.

Clockwise from top center:
Grape tomatoes, green grapes, sugar snap peas, blackberries, kumquats, blueberries.

Center: Onigiri stuffed with umeboshi, topped with sugar snap peas, grape tomatoes and a piece of kumquat.

I've been busy reading a book called Japanese Women Never Get Old Or Fat. It's a cross between a memoir and cookbook. From it I learned to make dashi (first and second) and even homemade miso soup. It really helped demystify ingredients I've seen at the store, but had no idea what they were used for. It's been fun!

L to R: Onigiri stuffed with umeboshi and decorated with carrot strips, red cabbage, green onion and black sesame seeds, whole pod edamame, grilled chicken strips with sesame seeds, kumquats, strawberry and blackberries.

I've never had whole pod edamame, so this is a new thing for me! :)

L to R: Shiitake mushrooms, sugar snap peas, red cabbage with sliced scallions, thinly sliced daikon. Ramen with furikake in a red cabbage bowl. Instant miso soup.

This will be all mixed together for a yummy soup tomorrow! I bought this new lunchy-box yesterday. Certainly more practical than kawaii...but hey, sometimes you need a bit more space! ;)

Top to bottom: Blueberries, sugar snap peas, kumquats with mint swirlies, blackberries, strawberries, picante beef ramen topped with a mint leaf.

My husband and I had my sister and goddaughter over for dinner. We thought making bento for everyone would be fun! Check out my photostream for the pile o' mango onigiri my hubby made!

L to R: Pork bun, kumquat "flowers", blackberry "hyacinths" nestled in sugar snap pea "grass", Trader Joe's chocolate mochi (not the frozen type).

Absolutely exhausted today. I'll be catching up with LJ-ing this weekend. *yawn* Off to bed with me!! :)

L to R: Onigiri decorated with various furikake, carrot sticks and an edamame, grilled teriyaki chicken, grape tomatoes, edamame, sugar snap peas and umeboshi.

Leftovers from Maki Yaki! Woo hoo!

L to R: Kumquats, mini pear, watercress, paper-thin sliced cucumber, grape tomatoes, yaki onigiri garnished with cucumber and kumquat slices.

Thanks to ss_biggie for the yaki onigiri idea! Yummy!

L to R: Grape tomatoes, onigiri stuffed with thinly sliced, smoked turkey and topped with Durkee pepper shake, watercress, and onigiri stuffed with umeboshi and topped with Eden Shake furikake.

I now have my bento Flickr photostream accessible directly from my new web address: www.bento-licious.com!

L to R: Edamame, teenie tiny grape tomatoes, sugar snap peas and green beans. Ramen, grilled steak seasoned with Durkee 8 pepper shake, grape tomatoes, green bean and dried chili pod.

It was all about a hearty bento and cleaning out the vegetable drawer before the end of the week! ;)

L to R: Onigiri with umeboshi and shiso, decorated with a red pepper and watercress rose, wasabi almonds, blueberries, sugar snap peas and kumquats.

I had a devil of a time getting my digital cam to focus on this bento. *sigh* After 15 photos, here's the best of the worst. ;) I was so excited to capture the rose...ah well.

L to R: Onigiri stuffed with umeboshi and shiso, decorated with Eden Shake furikake and red bell pepper. Watercress, blueberries, kumquats, mini pear and Trader Joe's green tea mochi.

Tonight was game night, so I didn't have much to for food prep. *sigh*

Well, we've got a bit of pre-made stuff and some fresh stuff in this bento. I was thrilled to find the mochi at Trader Joe's this weekend. I've already had some and they are wonderful!

L to R: Guava paste roll, Whole Foods sweet chili grilled tofu, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas with olive oil, black and white sesame seeds and toasted garlic.

Bottom: Trader Joe's green tea mochi with bean paste

I've been a bit behind in my posting of bento and responding to comments. Thanks for all the positive feedback on my fishie bento! It was really a crack-up to make. :) I only did a couple last week, but this week should be full swing!! Check my Flickr stream for the two from last week by clicking on the current bento photo. Cheers! :)

L to R: Onigiri with umeboshi, kumquat "fishie" with sesame seed "eye" and mustard seed "bubbles", zucchini and cucumber "grasses", blueberry and green grape "water", yellow squash "jelly fish", ginger "fishie" with sesame seed "eyes", and raspberry "coral".

Under da' sea, under da' sea!

My little cowgirl says this bento is much better than hardtack! ;)

L to R, Top to Bottom:
Dried cranberries, green grapes, whole wheat pitas, double cream brie, kumquats and dried dragon fruit.

Baby squash, onigiri with forbidden black rice and parsley, baby carrots, grape tomatoes and baby zucchini.

L to R: Onigiri stuffed with umeboshi and fresh chopped lemongrass and decorated with romaine swishies and carrot wispies, lemongrass wedges (at top of onigiri), cherry tomatoes, edamame, roasted corn, baby carrots, all sitting on a bed of romaine lettuce.


Thanks to otterprincess for her idea on the umeboshi/lemongrass combo! I can't wait!

Obviously I've been playing way too much Zelda...three triangles...hurrah for the triforce! XD

L to R: Green grapes, carrots, baby tomatoes, sushi ginger rose, grilled chicken w/teriyaki and green onion, sushi rice, carrot slivers and umeboshi.

It's all about the circles and lines, baby! :)

After a bit of time off, here's my latest bento. I did a quick trip to Trader Joe's for some nifty dried fruit which will be making appearances through the week. First on the list, dried guava rolls!

L-R: Raspberries, unsalted peanuts, kumquats, Trader Joe's orzo, feta & kalamata olive salad, edamame, havarti and a procuitto wrap. Black sesame crackers and freeze dried mangos.

Top: Crazy fish made out of kumquats, mini cucumber and sugar snap peas swimming in a blueberry pond with raspberry rocks.

Bottom: Onigiri stuffed with aduki beans and decorated with Eden Shake furikake, kumquat and sugar snap peas.




P.S.: Admin, may I have a tag? Thank you!!!

It's been a very long weekend, so Monday's bento is a bit more "breakfasty" than usual. (It was easier! hehehe!) L to R: Trader Joe's Fat-Free Cottage Cheese topped with blueberries and raspberries, watercress, kumquats and Trader Joe's Uncrystallized Candied Ginger

L to R: Chicken cooked in olive oil, tequila, garlic & sprinkled with red chile flakes; grape tomatoes on a bed of watercress; Bueno® chicken & green chile tamales with watercress, grape tomato and star anise decoration; green grapes (hidden), raspberries & blueberries; DHC® Roasted Black Soybean Tea.

Tequila chicken for tomorrow...WOO! Thanks to jokergirlfor the idea on the leaf cut-out. That was way too cool. :)

The polka-dancing ants are at it again! They can have a blueberry, but paws off my pear!!