Natto. Cos there's nothing else.

When Natto makes its appearance it's usually because I really have nothing else to give my kids. In this case, Mouse doesn't like egg (much), but he'll gladly wolf down a whole box of natto. And I made myself go to the minimart nearby at 10pm to get some spinach just so I could give him some veg other than corn. The green looks so appetising, don't ya think?

I must be fair to RM too - he gets some natto on his rice, together with some scrambled fried egg (which I smuggled some of into Mouse's rice) and the spinach. Love the colours.

Soegogi-guk

The new food item is actually that unimportant-looking jar of soup. It's a lovely beef radish soup I learnt from Maangchi.com, pronounced "swe-go-gi-gook".

The rice is topped with soy sauce omelette and vegetables. So filling.

Bento... Yummy Bento

Can't think of any name for it. As long as it's yummy right?

Omelette Sandwich

Yawn... I woke up early to make this fresh for Roast Meat. 

Making the omelette was pretty quick - just chop onion, beat eggs, add peas, salt, fry. I took a nap on the sofa for... 15 minutes? while the omelette cooled. Then just assemble the sandwich, slice, take photo and Bob's your uncle.

Onigirazu - Omelette and Cuke

Simple and quick to make, today's onigirazu is made of Japonica rice, cucumber slices and a quick onion omelette made in my tamagoyaki pan.

Omelette and Mash Bento

I am pleased to say that part of today's bento was made by Takoyaki. She wanted to fry the omelette herself (mainly because she doesn't like my omelette haha), and since she was at it, she also agreed to fry one for RM.

So I just packed the mash (dinner leftover) and the salad and that was it. Sweeeet... 

Fusili Aglio Olio with Scallion Omelette Bento

Sightly eclectic, but still yummy.

台湾卤肉饭 Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice Bento

We love this once in a while and there are always leftovers because I cook a huge pot. Takoyaki is a huge supporter of this. And of course it must always include a braised hardboiled egg.

By Request: Raisin Bread

With milk tamagoyaki and cherry tomatoes.

Unexpected bento

This was unexpected. It's the school holidays and we had a playdate at a friend's house and  I completely forgot to check the menu (kindly provided by the host) for foods that Mouse would be allergic to. I only remembered the day before and decided to pack him a bento to bring along. I'm so thankful for my bento skills!

Menu:

Steamed rice (leftover) with Kimchi

Simple Chawanmushi

Natto

Simple Don

Menu:

Steamed rice with hijiki-umeboshi furikake

One-egg tamagoyaki

Cocktail Taiwan-style sausages

Veggies

Aunt and Niece Onigirazu

Well I was going to call it Oyako Onigirazu but that would not have been appropriate as it refers to Chicken and Egg. This is Duck and Chicken Egg so I figured Aunt and Niece would be just about right d:P

Menu:

Smoked duck onigirazu

Tamagoyaki onigirazu

Cherry tomatoes

"Delicious and filling!" reported Roast Meat, although since today's his last exam paper, probably anything would have been as well received.

Sandwiches Poles Apart

Here are two different types of "sandwiches" - a standard egg mayo sandwich aaaaaannndd... onigirazu!

Yes, the diligent mum has once again gone rather bonkers and prepared two different bentos for her two fussy (and opposite) children.

First up is the new sensational Onigirazu. This time I made with Thai Jasmine rice (leftover) as an experiment, to see whether, since the whole thing is bound up with nori, it will do as well as Japonica rice. We shall await the feedback of Roast Meat. The fillings are surimi crabstick and a one-egg square omelette made with my tamagoyaki pan. Looks rather like two three-eyed aliens.

I was reading JustOneCookbook's bento posts recently and was at first inspired to make Ajitsuke Tamago, but then I remembered that Takoyaki doesn't like that (the fusspot!). So the egg ended up getting hardboiled and mixed with Kewpie mayo.

Macaroni Alla Marinara and Mushroom Cheese Omelette Bento

RM is down with flu, so I got to focus on whipping up one of Takoyaki's favourite meals - tomato sauce pasta. As I fell asleep too early, I woke up in the middle of the night (3am) and went to cook the sauce.

I'd accidentally bought lots of macaroni pasta (long story), so was just trying to find a way to start using them. The macaroni was topped with some sauteed spinach and a mushroom and cheese omelette. It's a one-egg omelette, although it doesn't look like it.

Recipe for One-Person Mushroom and Cheese Omelette

Ingredients:

One white button mushroom (sliced thinly)

One large egg (about 60g)

Pinch of salt

Half a slice of processed cheese

Method:

Heat up a small frying pan or tamagoyaki pan over medium-low heat and add 2 tsp of oil.

Once oil is hot but not smoking, add shroom slices and saute till brown.

Meanwhile, add a pinch of salt to the egg and beat it lightly.

Spread shrooms out evenly in pan and pour beaten egg over mushrooms. Tilt pan to achieve an even shape.

Quickly tear the cheese up into little pieces and spread them out on half the egg, keeping cheese bits away from the edge.

Fold the cheese-less half of the omelette over the cheesy side. 

Flip after 30secs. Give the other side another 30 secs and remove from heat to cool.

Two Different Sandwich Bentos - Why do I do this to myself?

Aaaand here we are at another special episode of Two Different Bentos for Two Different Fussy Kids.

Granted they have certain same elements, but the overall concept is rather different.

Takoyaki is bringing her share of the patties to share with friends (if she and they so desire), plus a PB and Lingonberry Jam sandwich. Oh and I included chocolates for sharing.

Roast Meat, on the other hand, had patties yesterday so "I don't want to eat the same thing, Mum". Oh, these fussy children! So upon the suggestion of Takoyaki, I fried a leek omelette which was essentially the filling for HIS sandwich. If I had to go cook some other carb such as noodles I think I would scream.

It was tough trying to pack it in neatly and I almost couldn't close the box. 

Great practice for the annual Bento&Co contest! More details here. Alas, I will not be joining it this year because I have absolutely no inspiration or mojo. Not that it would make any difference. My bentos cannot make it.

Merry Monday Pasta Bento

Topped with green pepper and onion omelette and served with apple chunks.

I just hope it's not stone cold by recess time since this box does not have very good thermal properties.

Rice always tastes good with Furikake

Sides:

Shallot omelette strips (for a change from tamagoyaki)

Cocktail sausage

Cucumber slices

Eclecticism Is Our Frequent Guest Bento'er

Because sometimes you just gotta make do with what you have. Although my family would just call this "Chinese".

Takoyaki's menu:

Preserved turnip omelette (cai bor nng 菜甫蛋) on rice

Kimchi

KFC Roasta drumlet

The usual fruits and cherry tomatoes

RM's was simply a Polar chicken pie. To ensure the students don't get too hungry during the extended hours of single session, there is now a 5-10 minute snack break in class, so I have to provide a small box of fruits or healthy snack everyday. Thankfully, I've been bentoing for some time.

Crustless Quiche

Which is what I made with the extra filling and eggs for Tuesday's Mini Quiches. No crust this time, lazy.

Menu:

Flower onigiris with furikake and quinoa

Crustless quiche

Cukes

Tomatoes

Grapes

Bacon & Egg Cups Recipe

In the wonderful world of Pinterest, I found a recipe for Bacon & egg cups as well as a mini frittatas baked in a muffin pan. Wanting the best of both worlds, I combined both recipes into one and here is the result.

They were a hit with Roast Meat and me, but not Takoyaki or her dad. Here they are in bentos.

RM's Monday Bento

Takoyaki's Tuesday Bento

Recipe for Bacon&Egg Cups
~Makes 12 cups~

Ingredients:
12 rashers bacon
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
pepper to taste
one medium onion, chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 cup grated cheese (I used up some mozzarella, but any cheese would be good)

Method:
Preheat oven to 180C.
Line a 12-cup muffin pan with muffin cases and lay one rasher of bacon around the inside of each case.
Combine all the other ingredients in a medium bowl and stir well.
Divide equally among all the bacon "cups", taking care to prop the bacon up with your fingers as you are pouring the batter in.
Bake about 15-20 mins or till tops are golden brown.

Next time I will add some sliced olives, and perhaps some milk. No salt because the bacon is mighty salty.