Bento Box Fever!

[ninjapoodles]

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It takes me far less time if I'm working with leftover components of a previous meal than it does to make, say, a sandwich. I spend about 15-20 minutes the night before, usually. My daughter is 5 (will be 6 in October), in kindergarten.

On soapmaking, everyone has a different favorite, but my absolute go-to books are the ones from Susan Miller-Cavitch. Lots of people don't like her recipes because they're so heavily superfatted, and not liquid discounted at all, but that's precisely what makes them so lovely. I find that other books tend to be more about cranking out a cheap product, while Miller-Cavitch's are about crafting a truly phenomenal product.

The only thing that I disagree with the author about is that she recommends using a blender or mixer to bring soap to trace. Um...not so much. Get a cheap stick-blender from any discount store.

Always, always, always run every recipe, even the ones you know by heart, through a lye calculator like the one at Misty Mountain Sage. It's online, free, and accurate.

 

[asher]

What is in the center of that, ninja? It looks sooo yummy!

Can I find sticky rice at any grocery store or only specific stores and/or sections at stores?

My first order from ichaban (sp?) should be here in a few days. I'm so excited!

 

[ninjapoodles]

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I actually think she has some talent there--she always has a fresh perspective. Here is one of my favorites of hers, taken while we were waiting for a takeout order at The Dixie Cafe:

I'm steadying her shoulders in the picture because she nearly fell over backwards--with MY camera!

She overuses the flash, but sometimes that works out OK--I kind of like this pic she took of me, that is fairly overexposed.

 

[Henrietta23]

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Yumm, that sounds good! The rice should be hot enough to almost burn your hands. I have a bowl of water nearby, dampen my hands, and lightly sprinkle them with salt before shaping each ball (the salt helps keep moisture in the ball, too). But yes, it's like working with taffy or mozzarella--ouchy!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2779147575_e710cb38b2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2779148003_185eabb193.jpg

My daughter took these pictures, and you can see how red my hands are!

Looks like I got it about right. He ate one and gave it the thumbs up! It didn't fall apart, yay!

 

[Henrietta23]

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Yup, just buy sushi rice.

 

[ninjapoodles]

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Yup, just buy sushi rice.

Right, I used "sushi rice" that I picked up while I was at an Asian market, but I think it's just short-grain rice? I'll look it up. In that picture, that was leftover takeout sesame chicken, that I chopped up! I also chopped up lime pickles for the other ones.

 

[menageriemama]

Up here we have to go to the Oriental market for real short grain sushi rice

Its about an hour's drive from here.
eta: Ninja- WOW! I am even more impressed after looking at some more of your little girl's "work"!!! My 8 year old STILL cuts off everyone's head when he has the camera...

 

[Henrietta23]

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Yup, just buy sushi rice.

Right, I used "sushi rice" that I picked up while I was at an Asian market, but I think it's just short-grain rice? I'll look it up. In that picture, that was leftover takeout sesame chicken, that I chopped up! I also chopped up lime pickles for the other ones.

Just checked a book I have. Short grained Japanese rice is sushi rice according to the author.

 

[Henrietta23]

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Buy in bulk! That's too bad that you have to drive for it. Our local stores have it in their "international" aisle.

 

[menageriemama]

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Buy in bulk! That's too bad that you have to drive for it. Our local stores have it in their "international" aisle.

Luckily, our local food coop has started carrying sushi rice in the bulk isle, but it always seems to be sold out! I think I am peeved about it right now because I am at the bottom of the bag of my last purchase. I am planning on going into town tomorrow, so I am going to call ahead to the co-op and see if they have it in stock. Thanks for mentioning it!!