Strong start to a new term... Let's Bento!

After a brief hiatus, this blog is alive again! Well, there was really little chance to bento these last June hols, as quite a number of things happened. But here I am again, as the first day of school is a nice long one for Takoyaki, who always has CCA on Monday and needs some lunch.

She had some yummy furikake with rice, and oooh, her favourite chuka kurage (Japanese seasoned jellyfish). I added a slice of ham to up the protein factor.

Full steam ahead for this term!

Oh Mighty Teriyaki Chicken!

You have my whole family under your control... we always lurrrrve to devour you... okay this is getting a little weird. But we do enjoy our teriyaki chicken.

Did you know that there are more than a MILLION Teriyaki Chicken recipes out there? Amazing how something so basic (in Japanese culture) can have so many variations. Jamie Oliver has his own version and so does Nigella Lawson, to name two of the most famous celebrity chefs. 

I guess this is one Japanese product that has really found a home in the hearts of many people all over the world with its sweet-savoury umami-ness that so hits the spot, especially when you don't know what else to cook.

Last Burst of Energy

Something came over me last night (maybe it's the presence of ham in my fridge) which spurred me up to put a little more effort into this last couple of bentos for this term.

Takoyaki's

RM's

Bento Mojo dropping

Which is why it's just something simple for Takoyaki who has CCA today and she really does not want to eat the same food from the school canteen twice. 

Simple one for Field Trip

Yawn... Stretch... Almost wind-down time

I feel a little rusty after a week of non-bento. Especially since this is the second week of exams and in between tutoring RM and schooling my Mouse, my battery is getting rather flat. However, I managed to drag myself up this morning to get these ready. 

Takoyaki's is shabu-shabu pork in broth over mixed red and brown rice.

Takoyaki's bento

RM's is leftover (really) beef fried rice from an eatery nearby.

RM's bento

And after that, I guess I'm feeling kiiiiinda less guilty.

Tis Exams Fortnight

And I am super stressed out over RM's prep, plus my close relative is in hospital, so there just won't be much mojo. For now, store bought buns will have to suffice.

Kimchi Chicken Macaroni

Leftover roast chicken + cucumber strips + kimchi + cooked macaroni = done. Simple.

The Day of Red Bentos

Everything is red.

Takoyaki is having Red glutinous rice wine chicken 红糟鸡 (cooked with my first successful batch of red glutinous rice wine) with red and brown rice.

RM doesn't like the red glut chook so I gave him some panfried chicken. And another sausage roll ( I made lots).

On a Roll-making Roll

Not sure what's come over me lately. I've been rather inspired and motivated to make rolls, first the crescent rolls, then now sausage rolls.

It helps that this meal, although simple, is all-in-one. In fact, RM brought two rolls today, one for recess and one for his field trip to the Science Centre.

Corn Rice?

I have no idea what to call this, hahaha! But Roast Meat (and his little brother) does love corn.

So I mixed some corn kernels into his rice (which means I don't have to add furikake). In the snack box are some grapes and a homemade crescent roll.

Scallion Tamagoyaki and Riceballs

And karaage, which I seriously wonder whether Takoyaki can eat, as she's just had her braces adjusted yesterday *ouch* 

She said she "should be able to". 

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.

Back to Simple Jap-style Bentos

Roast Meat's has pickled herring from IKEA and cucumber chunks "scattered" over his rice. While not traditional, I hope this can be considered "chirashi don"?

Meanwhile, Takoyaki has chuuka kurage (Japanese seasoned jellyfish) and some preserved veg (all from the Kyushuu Fair) over hers. It is meant to be a surprise as she didn't know I'd bought them. This girl will do ANYTHING for chuuka kurage.

I served up some homemade kimchi to include some fibre and probiotics.

Tri-coloured Cold Udon Salad

I was going to toss it up, then realised it would look more colourful and appetising this way. This is for Takoyaki.

Cooked fresh wheat noodles are tossed with kaeshi (short cut for me), then topped with (from left):

Homemade salmon flakes

Julienned cucumber

Omelette strips