Sakura Onigiri Bento. Bento perfect for ohanami~~

I was so totally thrilled when I received a set of Sakura goods from Nihon Ichiban, an e-store that carries literally anything from Japan, especially highly sought after goods by people living outside Japan.

Sakura products are definitively one of the popular F&B products they carry. I cant wait to show you all the sakura recipes I have in my head.

One of the things I love using pickled sakura flowers is to make ohanami bento. Where spring is all about cherry blossom viewing and enjoying delicious food.

I have personally bought sakura flowers elsewhere online and also in Japan, and I can tell you that there is quite a mark difference in the quality of sakura flowers you might get.

The ones that Nihon Ichiban carries are definitely the type I recommend. (I will do a photo comparison soon for you)

They are in a lovely pink hue and comes more in whole flowers then some where they tend to be of varying sizes and broken.

With such good quality sakura, I was excited to start using them.

So first up, lets enjoy a Sakura onigiri bento!

The rice is mixed with of the sakura flowers to give it that lovely pink colour.

Using cling wrap, I then wrapped and shaped the rice into the sakura petals to form the flower. Topping it off with 2 sakura flowers on top.

Point to note: Sakura flowers come in picked form, which means that there are salt crystals covering the flowers. I usually gently wash off/soak them , patting them dry using come kitchen paper towels before using.

This step is also needed when you use sakura flowers for sweets/baking etc.

If however you are making sakura tea, you can just use them as they are. Yes, the tea is meant to be slightly salty with that subtle sakura flower flavours.

The side dishes for this Sakura onigiri bento included sauteed prawns with soft boiled egg, sweet peas, sakura namafu, grilled teriyaki salmon fillet, cold tofu, carrot and edamame beans.

Multi-tiered Acrylic Bento Box is from Primitive 陶舎花＊花 via Rakuten Japan.

Tea Towel is from Afternoon Tea Japan.

Tea Cups are from HARIO Japan, I bought them at Lupicia tea store at Great World City.

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More information about my bento cookbook title ‘Kawaii Bento’  here. 

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Made a classic Japanese bento today. Inspired by the Swiss watch maker, Daniel Wellington.

I was so happy when I received the Classic Sheffield (Women) watch from Daniel Wellington. I had such a hard time choosing their beautiful collection.

Here is a glimpse of their homepage of their official site. Visit their website here.

Fallen in love with Daniel Wellington’s clean and classic designs.

This particular one  stood out for its chic yet classic feel, as well as the beautiful crystals used on the clock face. I picked black strap with rose gold.

I love the big clockface but yet just perfectly sized for my wrist. The strap is also of a great size, for once, I need not specially add strap holes. *I wear the smallest hole on the strap that came with the watch. But my wrist is considered quite small.

Getting a watch too? Remember to use my discount code below for a 15% concession :)

For me, a chic-lasting look is important when picking up fashion items.

Inspired by the classic feel, I decided to make a classic Japanese Bento. So what should go into such a bento~ Japanese onigiri (rice-balls!)

To keep the colours more muted and classic, the sides included grilled salmon fillet with teriyaki sauce, sauteed french beans with carrots, sauteed mushrooms and lotus roots, lettuce, edamame beans and some boiled broccoli.

I also added two cute monochrome (black & white) pasta pieces. If you remember, I got these pasta at Mustafa supermarket late last year.

Today’s bento was packed in my round enamel white bento box from Noda Horo.

Did you also notice the cute onigiri bento box specially for the onigiri (rice-balls)? It comes with a bamboo wrap to pack it together.

Special discount code just for you!

Simply use this discount code - littlemissbento, to enjoy 15% concession for purchases on Daniel Wellington’s official website www.danielwellington.com. The  discount code is valid until the Feb 28 2015.

Check out their official Instagram account @danielwellingtonwatches

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More information about my bento cookbook title ‘Kawaii Bento’  here. 

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A special Sanrio Temari Sushi Bento.

So happy that my bento idea worked!  Aren’t these Sanrio temarizushi cute! heheheh.

I had wanted to make some kawaii character temari sushi (or temarizushi).

Temari means thread balls, and temarizushi simply means making small ball-shaped sushi. These temarizushi are usually served during happy occasions and are so perfect for parties for their small serving sizes.

As I don’t eat a lot of raw meat, I used a mix of different seafood and Japanese ingredients/toppings for my sushi.

This bento would be better for cooler weathers, since there are some raw ingredients involved. So if you plan to make temari bento, try to stay indoors or in aircon conditions to keep the sushi fresh.

This Sanrio Temari Sushi Bento was so super fun to make! I can’t wait to make more other character temarizushi!

First tier of Sanrio Temari Sushi Bento (clockwise from top left)

• Kerropi temarizushi – sushi rice wrapped with Japanese cucumber. The eyes were made of chicken ham and features of seaweed and ham.
• Shredded egg sushi rice topped with pink kamaboko (Japanese fish cake) and sakura denbu (pink fish floss)
• Hello Kitty temarizushi – sushi rice topped with scallop sashimi. I added a ribbon bento picka and features of seaweed and egg sheet.
• Prawn wrapped chirashi sushi rice topped with carrot flora garnish and maple leaf nama-fu (wheat gluten slice).

Second tier of Sanrio Temari Sushi Bento (clockwise from top left)

• Sushi rice with mentaiko filling and topped with sweet pea, lotus root and ikura.
• My Melody temarizushi – sushi rice wrapped with salmon flakes, topped with picnic ham for the ears and features of seaweed and egg sheet.
• Edamame temari sushi rice ball
• Pom Pom Purin temarizushi – sushi rice wrapped with crabstick mayo filling and wrapped with mango. I added a small piece of mushroom for Pom Pom Purin brown beret and features were made from seaweed.

I packed today’s bento in one of my favourite boxes, the clear acrylic bento box from Primitive 陶舎花＊花.

I think the transparent look of the box was perfect for this colourful temari sushi bento. It provided a bright clean base to present these Sanrio temarizushi pieces.

I guess today’s bento can be considered as both a Japanese bento and a character bento (decoben). :) I am looking forward to eating this sushi bento lunch!

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More information about my bento cookbook title ‘Kawaii Bento’  here. 

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It took me such a long time to choose these 14 bento creations for this Favourite Bentos of 2014 post. It was so hard for me to choose cause there were so many others that I personally liked a lot or found really interesting.

To wrap up 2014, here is some of my bento creations for you~ please click on the posts to read more about each of the bento!

I chose a good mix of different types of bento and a little information on why these bento made it to the favourite list for the year ;)

In addition, I want to also take this opportunity to thank you for your constant support~ I will continue to do my best!

(In no order of preference)

1. Teddy Bear Bread Bento and Recipe (blog post link)

This was one of the most original recipe and fun creation, I really loved the end result of the teddy bear bread I baked and how they fitted into the bento. It was also a yummy breakfast.

2. Chinese New Year Horse Bento (blog post link)

Sometimes simple does it the best. I think in this case, the calligraphic style of the seaweed cutting worked really well for this bento and visually was impactful.

3. Kitty Cat Bento (blog post link)

Inspired by some wagashi I saw, I think this mashed potato creation was really cute and I want to cuddle the kittens! The pita bread was also a nice combination with the branding iron mark that I made.

4. Russian Doll Sushi (blog post link)

And of course, sushi art rolls! Another original sushi design of mine that I was really pleased with the final outcome. The placement of the sushi design was spot on and I love the sweet colours.

5. Tigger Bento (blog post link)

This bento was a surprise to me. When I was sketching the design the night before, I didn’t expect it to come out so vivid and cheerful. I rarely make Tigger bento but this was a bento that I really liked.

6. Totoro Seaweed Cutting (blog post link)

This was one of the most challenging seaweed cutting bento as the lines were really fine and the seaweed got a little tangled after I cut it and tried to assemble onto the rice. It took quite a big of effort I love the entire seaweed cutting design. It really reminded me of the movie which I loved and I was also happy that all 3 Totoros were depicted in this bento. Plus I even had time to put together the tutorial.

7. Kitty Udon Bento (blog post link)

Most of you would know that I like using quail eggs in my bento. This was one of my favourites and also quite popular when I posted it on my social media platforms. I was happy to then see other people making kitty quail eggs inspired by this bento~ Again, sometimes a simple idea goes a long way.

8. Panda Sakura Bento (blog post link)

Somehow I always have a weakness for anything Japanese and Sakura. This bento always makes me feel ‘Awwww…’ haha, especially that look on the Panda rice ball. Many have commented that my panda bento character has a certain signature look which I tend to agree :D this sort of pitiful kawaii face! haha I also loved that small matcha cup I made! 

9. Kimono Seaweed Cutting (blog post link)

Though this seaweed cutting looks very complicated, it was actually not that difficult to make. This reminded me again alot of Japan and the beautiful geishas. I liked the little details that I added on the kimono and obi that made this bento design looked really intricate.

10. Hello Kitty Omurice (blog post link)

I loved how this bento was really full of Hello Kitty designs. This was also very popular when I posted it online, seems like many people are still fans of this famous Japanese cat. I loved how the colours came together in this bento and I was also able to use many of my tools and ingredients such as the HK furikake, vegetable cutters and tofu!

11. Teddy Bear Sushi Art (blog post link)

Another original sushi art design of mine. In the past year, I have been getting more inspired to come up with my own designs and the creative process is something that I relished very much and get a lot of satisfaction. This were also among the many sushi creations I made that were featured by bored panda and went quite viral.

12. Strawberry Curry (blog post link)

The reason why I chose this bento was because strawberry curry was one of the things I really had wanted to try very much, and was so thrilled that I bought some when I travelled to Tokyo this year. I also loved the whole strawberry theme of this bento.

13. Snoopy Bread (blog post link)

A fun breakfast bento that made it to my 2014 favourite bentos list. I liked to have a variety in my bento making and I think in a way, this was one bento to showcase the versatility of bento making. One can not just limit to using rice but explore other types of main dishes such as bread in this case, noodles etc for your bento. Another cheerful bento for you.

14. My Sweet Piano Bento (blog post link)

This was one bento that the choice of ingredients to make the character was a good one. The shaved kamaboko (fish cake) really gave My Sweet Piano a fluffy sweet fur like coat which was perfect for the character.

So here you have it! My personal 14 favourite bento creations of 2014.  This year has been an amazing journey especially with the launch of my very own bento cookbook ‘Kawaii Bento‘.

I look forward to an even more awesome new year!

Thank you so much for the support :)

Follow my food art and bento creations on my Facebook my page here or my Instagram here.

More information about my bento cookbook title ‘Kawaii Bento’  here. 

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Autumn Bento!

I love Autumn! Must try to make a few more autumn bento before the next season comes!

After my wonderful visit to Nikko for koyo (autumn leaves) viewing, read post here, I just had to make a autumn theme bento! See one of the many beautiful photos I took at Nikko.

I absolutely love the warm colours of autumn, the beautiful golden yellow, orange and red colours of the autumn leaves. I tried to recreate that same color theme in today’s bento.

To make the autumn leaves, I used some edible flower toppings, and using my maple leaf cutter, I cut out pieces of carrots and red thin egg sheet. I also quickly deep fried two momiji (maple leaves) mochi pieces.

Packed the bento in my new lacquered Maru Magewappa (bent wood) bento box from Asakusa Magewappa Store.

As I have blogged before, the Asakusa store by master craftsman Yoshinobu Shibata and his son Masahisa Shibata sells the amazing quality magewappa (bent wood) bento boxes, each hand-crafted and impeccable. 

I also included the side dishes that highlights some of the best seasonal produce during the autumn season, including sweet potato (satsumaimo), pumpkin (kabocha) and mushrooms (kinoko). The sweet potato was baked in the oven and the pumpkin was simmered in dashi and soy sauce. I also made the golden mushroom tempura.

The other side dishes included teriyaki salmon, vegetables and hot soup (not in photo).

In the last photo, you will also see some of the beautiful and yummy autumn snacks and traditional confectionery that I bought in Japan.

Follow my food art and bento creations on my Facebook my page here or my Instagram here.

More information about my bento cookbook title ‘Kawaii Bento’  here. 

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This is one of those days where I just want a Japanese bento. Hands up to those who love Japanese omurice?

Packed in the bento box is yummy prawns and vegetables fried rice. Topped with  a soft fluffy egg omelette, squeezed on some tomato ketchup sauce, garnished with some parsley and carrot, sweet potato flower cut outs. And the bento is done!

Make such non-character bento can be quite energising and allows me to take a break from the usuall kawaii designs. I hope you will enjoy this bento as much as I enjoy making and eating it.

I actually took a video of the lovely fluffy omelette and when it was cut open, but silly me, the video was in the wrong orientation >< Will take again when I make omurice again. heheh.

Today’s bento was packed in my Magewappa classic box from Bento&co.

The post Omurice Bento appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

Been a crazy week at work and woke up late again this monring as I was up pretty late doing some admin work for my blog and bento engagements. 

Manager to pack myself a more traditional style Japanese bento. I hope you still like this bento. 

Today’s bento was packed in my Take Bako box from Bento & co. I used only one-tier of the bento box. 

Tip to share~ to protect my magewappa bento boxes, I usually make use of food wax paper to line the box and paper bento cups for my side dishes. It also makes it so much easier to wash the box later. 

I love purple sweet potatoes in bento boxes, their colors are always so pretty. The side dishes included rice, chicken soboro (minced meat), tamagoyaki (Japanese egg omelette), kani kamaboko (crabstick), edamame beans (Japanese soy beans), sauteed vegetables and lettuce. 

The post Japanese Bento　和弁当 appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

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In the mood of a traditional bento lunch today, I packed a sakura theme bento. Since I can’t bring actual cherry blossoms to me from Japan, I decided to make myself a sakura bento instead. Heh.

I love the pink color theme in this bento. I made two onigiri rice balls, where I mixed the rice with salmon flakes, sakura flowers and oboro (a type of pink colored minced fish). I then topped it off with a sakura flower. The sakura flowers are in pickled form which I bought from Japan, you can also buy them online.

The sides were a salad side of chicken, cucumber and carrot; and tamagoyaki egg roll, lettuce, wagashi sweet, and a sweet side of sakura bean paste, mini dango balls and sakura mochi.

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The post Sakura Traditional Japanese Bento　桜の和弁当 appeared first on Little Miss Bento.

 

Busy weekend for me as I was teaching a bento workshop at SMU (will blog about that later), then did a cafe review and had to visit my grandfather in the hospital. 

Somehow as I was conceptualising the bento design last night, the image of chinese ink art came to mind again. I recall beautiful swallows depicted in such artworks and decided to create a similar seaweed cutting design for today’s bento with this theme. 

In the Chinese language, swallow is known as 燕. It symbolises spring and happiness. It is believed that if a swallow nests in the roof of a family, it will bring luck and good fortune to the family. 

週末は忙しかったです。SMUの大学でキャラベンを教えてあげて、カフェをしました。そして、病院で祖父を訪問します。

昨夜弁当のデザインを考えました。中国の墨アートのアイディアになります。
ツバメのキャラベンを作りました。 

中国語でツバメは燕です。春と幸福を象徴しています。

The side dishes for today’s Swallow Bento included baked salmon sprinkled with some seasalt, scallop salt and black pepper, soft-boiled eggs, shiitake mushrooms, lettuce, broccoli, sauteed carrot strips and edamame beans. 

For the Swallow Chinese Art depiction, I made the outlines from seaweed which I cut using an Acto knife. The tiny flowers are tomato cut outs using a small flower cutter. 

おかずは：焼き鮭ｍ、半熟卵、椎茸、レタス、ブロッコリー、人参ソテー、枝豆。 

ツバメ・中国のアートデザインの材料は海藻とトマトです。

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The post Swallow Bird Chinese Art Bento　ツバメのキャラベン appeared first on Little Miss Bento.