Bento Box Fever!

[Windy Ridge]

I LOVE bento boxes.

I wish they weren't so expensive. Rather, I wish my tastes in bento boxes weren't so expensive. If I got the ones I wanted, what I'd be able to pack would be, um, hard boiled egg, and um... egg... wild onion... apples (in season)... and on a good day, deviled egg sushi...

 

[menageriemama]

Ninjapoodles: Yes, I have gotten all my stuff on ebay (I agree about the prices though). I have some family in San Fran, so I think I will have to see if they can take a trip to that store for me

BRAVO for doing the trad Japanese stuff for your daughter!!! My son is 8, and he loves ethnic food at home, but has made it clear that it has no place at the lunch table in the Elementary school

So I mostly pack "americanized" bentos, or really whatever else strikes me that can disguise itself as "normal" kid lunch food. I usually pack my daughter one as well even though she is home with me all day, and she gets a version of Dominic's. Packing them for my husband is a LOT more fun, because I can use leftovers (dito about that) and I can be a bit more creative.

I really like that laptop box-looks easy to use. And I have been lusting after quail for exactly the same reason for about 6 months now!!!! Tiny, teeny weeny adorable eggs!!!!!

I have terrible luck with egg molds... Anyway, heres another box

This one is my husband's. Its packed in the Mr.Bento box, thermos style that I ordered from amazon. It has roasted red pepper tomato soup, rollups, proscuiutto and mozz slices on crackers, theres a cheesecake bite in there, and a salad caprese. You can fit a TON of food in this thing!! Ok, gotta go pack up for our overnight gettaway from the kids- have a great weekend!!!

 

[ninjapoodles]

I was gonna ask you if that was a Mr. Bento. I've been toying with trying that system (for myself) for a while now. Do you have a Mrs. Bento, too? I'm wondering about the size.

How do you get your mozzarella balls so nice? Mine always look weird and have seams all over. I just do them in whatever weird shapes they want to form when I make the cheese.

I wish I was better at making Japanese cuisine at home. I really need to work on that, because it's absolutely our favorite thing to have when eating out, but it's sooooo darn expensive! We always order boxes of bulgogi and sushi.

I also wish I knew how to make pickled ginger. YUM!

 

[ninjapoodles]

Just packed up tomorrow's lunch for the little one:

Chinese noodles with grilled chicken (our OWN chicken--yaaay!)
Cold Sweet Pea Salad with sharp cheddar & parmesan
Tiny table grapes and mini Babybel cheddar
Whole-wheat peanut butter cookies

I'll make some of the same sweet pea salad for my husband, and probably a sandwich out of the chicken.

 

[menageriemama]

for homegrown chicken!!!! Nice box!! I have to start taking pics of my creations again- I sort of stopped over the summer. Will post more soon

eta The Mr. Bento system works really really well for my husband- he loves it!! I dont have the Mrs.Bento just because I dont think I can eat that much for lunch- I just sort of nibble on the food that the kids dont finish

I like the system because you can pack hot and cold stuff together.

I have been known to shave the bumps off of a mozz ball from time to time... lol Guess thats why I like bentos so much- I get to indulge my inner perfectionist in a creative way

 

[ninjapoodles]

I guess, until we can convince others to join our madness, that this thread is just going to be the two of us ping-pong-ing back and forth!

Here's Alex's box from today:

Chicken & Cheddar salad on organic wheat bread (our own chickens!)
Cold sweet-pea salad with sharp cheddar & parmesan
Whole-wheat, natural peanut butter cookies
Beautiful fresh organic strawberries and grapes, THAT HE WASTED. Philistine.

And Bella's lunch for tomorrow, pre-packed tonight:

Wraps of grilled chicken & cheddar salad, organic spinach & toasted pumpkin seeds, on sprouted grain, multi-gran tortillas
Organic Braeburn apple slices and organic table grapes
Organic carrots & FF ranch dip
Pirate's Booty Aged White Cheddar flavor
String cheese for snack time

 

[menageriemama]

Lol- agreed! I am just laughing because I have had a couple glasses of wine and spewed some from my mouth as I read your last entry

Kills me when they dont finish everything- Ahhhhhh!!! Hahaha, Pirate's Booty!!! Love it!!!!

 

[menageriemama]

Ooops, just had to add a NEW one!!! Woo hoo- I took a pic today of Genna's box- fruit kebobs, mini egrolls that have been living in my freezer for longer than you really want to know

(but are still good...) Some sweet and sour sauce in a little tiny sauce container, and fillers. Still make 'em in the am as I am too lazy to do so at night- I tell the kids that I punch out on the "mommy timeclock" at 9:00 pm excepting case of illness, nightmare or need of water

eta: the little tiny peanut butter cups are from Trader Joe's-cute!!

 

[chickenfanatic]

wow i feel dumb could someone please explain what in goodness sake is a bento box and all that is behind it im a chef by trade and have never even heard of this hahaha thanks it looks interesting fun and a good use of space hmmm if i can figure it all out equipment wise and such ill be joining your thread hahaha i too have a feesh kindergartner thanks

 

[Anny]

hahaha I love bento! This is a great thread.