BENTO s e n s e i

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 12:25:36 GMT

What is BeNtO?

Bento is single portion meal in a box, usually for take out.

Coming soon.

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 06:22:43 GMT

BENTO s e n s e i
~ a part of BENTO h e a v e n

Menu: Today's Special

What is Bento?

Bento Boxes

Bento Accessories

Recipes & Tutorials

Japan, 日本

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Thu, 08 Feb 2007 08:52:15 GMT

BENTO BOXes

So far, I've been collecting more bento accessories than bento boxes themselves. But i think I'll purchase more bento boxes soon to expand my collection. Besides buying bento boxes because they are pretty or unique looking, it is also good to look at the size of the bento box, as well as the shape. True enough, I actually change the bento box i use to pack lunch every other day depending on what i am making. Like for example, if i am making sushi, i usually look for a lunch box which is shallow and has a wide area.

Many bento boxes are so pretty that you cant microwave them. Since i prefer my food hot when i eat it, i usually look out for microwavable boxes. Usually you can microwave a bento box WITHOUT the lid on. Its probably because manufacturers use a different material for the lid (no idea why) or because microwaving the lids which have designs on them will cause quicker wear and tear of the design.

So which boxes are microwavable? Well, i kinda observed the maximum temparature microwavable boxes can take, which is above 120 C but never assume because different plastics can take different temperatures of heat. Its best to ask the seller whether they can be microwaved or not.

Okay its about time fter that longgg introduction. Here's my bento box collection!
(Click on images for larger version)

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A very simple 2 Tier oval bento box by MELLOW. Its made of plastic and is microwavable WITHOUT the lid.
Measures 5" (length) x 3.35" (width) by 2.9" (height)
From: DAISO for $2 each. Bear belt sold seperately.

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Again a simple bento box that can be placed directly in the freezer. I bought two of these which can be stacked on top of each other to create a 2 tier bento box. Using a belt to hold them together. Really convenient way which allows me to switch between using one box for snacks to two boxes for a meal.
Measures 5" (length) x 3.3" (width) x 1.7" (height).
From: DAISO for $2 each.

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This is a lovely classic 1 tier bento box with the 'deluxe feel'! I have to give it a round of applause for the absolutely great quality : ). Great for sushi when you remove the compartments. And perfect for rice with side dishes.
Measures 6.5" (length) x 4.5" (width) x 1.75 (height).
From: Tokyo Gift

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Mamegoma!!!! I lovee mamegoma (まめゴマ from San-x). They are one of my favourite japanese characters. Mamegoma actually means bean (mame) sesame (goma). Because they are seals who lurvee to eat soybeans. HMM. Anyhoo, they are very adorable. And here i have a 4-in-1 set. These are great for packing rice or dishes and even snacks of ALL sizes!
Largest measures 4.75" (length) x 4.75" (width) x 2.1" (height). The next is smaller by around 1 cm all round and so forth.
From: Toyko Gift

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And more to come. : )

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Thu, 08 Feb 2007 08:51:43 GMT

ACCESSORIZE

It's good to own some bento accessories because it's easier, and also adds some spice to your bento! Many of the accessories are usually hard to find in your local supermarket or baking store. And even local japanese stores like DAISO only sell the basic necessities in the range of accessories actually avaliable. Unless you are planning to make a trip to Japan for your holidays etc, the easiest way to obtain some interesting accessories is through the internet (eBay). I currently own quite a decent amount of equipment to make a proper bento, though the rest depends on my cooking skills. (>o<)

Below is the list of my collection of bento accessories and where they are availiable at.
(Click on the images for enlarged version.)

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Chopsticks (Ha-shi はし)

Usahana Pink Chopsticks (16.5cm). Kids size.
From: DAISO for $2. Case sold seperately.

Lime Green Chopsticks (18.0cm) Adult size.
From: DAISO for $2

Great to eat sushi with. I used to eating my rice with chopsticks so even if i'm not having sushi, I still use it. For those who are not very comfortable with chopsticks, there are also the miniature spoons and forks that are convenient to take around. I prefer the kids size version because its shorter and is easier to fit into your kinchaku (drawstring bag) or furoshiki without buldging out too much.

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Colouring

Wilton Icing Colouring (35g) and Wilton Decorator Brushes in 3 sizes. Great for colouring food like rice, bread... and many more (which i have left to find out since i havent used these yet). Makes your bento bright and colourful, attracts kids attention in a second! I bought Lemon Yellow, Pink and Sky Blue. The three primary colours. And yes, I am hoping i'll be able to mix these colours to get secondary colours like purple, orange etc. I do this instead of buying each individual colour because you really use VERY VERY little of the dye each time. Furthermore, I wont be colouring my food for every bento. These only last for 2 years after opening. Honestly, i dont think this accessory is important. Its more for your own leisure time. You probably find yourself painting cute designs or pictures to your food only if you have alot of spare time, like me! (during my holidays) Please dont use food colouring to colour your rice. I did this once to colour shaved ice and... UGH terrible terrible taste. I can still remember this from 8 years ago. Thats how bad it is.
Will update again when i've actually used this! Will mixing dye work??

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Cookie Cutters
For cutting vegetables (yam, carrots, cucumber..etc), ham, cheese, bread.. etc. Basically, you can use these to cut anything you can think of to make the lunch look more appettising. It's best to find cutters that are around 1 inch or less in length for cutting smaller veggies like carrots which are more commonly used in bento. Larger ones will limit you to cut only larger veggies like yam but are better for cutting delicate items like bread. Easily avaliable in your local bakery shop.

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Egg Molds

From: Tokyo Gift

The yellow one isnt very clear. Its an icecream shape. Green is a pumpkin. Orange is an onigiri.
From: Tokyo Gift

Left: Blue car and green fish (front) & pink rabbit and orange bear (back) egg molds
From: Tokyo Gift

Cinnamoroll is so cute! I prefer this to the hello kitty version. : )
From: Tokyo Gift

Egg molds are one of the accessories you cant find anywhere else other than in Japan so you have to purchase this online. Molding boiled eggs are pretty simple. The important thing to note is that the yolk has to be in the center of the egg. You dont want to mold your egg finding your yolk about to ooze out from a thin membrane of egg white. It's also better for presentation if you decide to slice the egg in half.

HOW TO:
So how to keep the cooked yolk in the center of the egg? While boiling the egg, you have to roll the egg continuously to prevent the yolk from rising when it cooks. I usually cook my eggs for about 10 minutes. I have heard and read many different and ridiculously tedious ways of boiling eggs to perfection, but for me, i basically the egg (taken right from the fridge) put in a small pot of water, leave it on the stove till it boils, and wait for around another 5-8 minutes. I never get the grey tinge around the yolk when i boil it this way, which happens if your egg is over-cooked. After you have your hot boiled egg, try to peel it while it is still hot (the hotter the better) and be careful not to burn your fingers. Place the hot egg in the egg mold and seal it. Then place it in a bowl of cold water for 15 mins or in the fridge for 10 mins.

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Furoshiki / Kinchaku

A blue usagi (兎, rabbit) kinchaku.
From: Daiso for $2

A furoshiki. The shade of green here looks much better than what it really is. haha. Well.. it's a pretty decent design considering it was the furoshiki of a box of green tea daifuku with chocolate filling.

Furoshiki is a Japanese wrapping cloth used to transport anything, from clothes to gifts. Kinchaku refers to a drawstring bag. Of course, I use furoshiki/drawstring to hold my bento box. I find them useful because it is much easier to carry the lunch box around and it also protects the bento box from scratches and cracks. It is not necessary to find a furoshiki meant for your bento box. Any cotton cloth large enough or even bandanas will do the trick.

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Pancake/Fried Egg Molds
Coming Soon

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Picks

Top Left & Bottom Right: Land animals and Sea animals themed picks!
From: DAISO. (Also avaliable in certain ebay stores)
Top RIght: Motif classic picks.
From: Tokyo Gifts
Bottom Left: Mini fork picks, animal-theme
From Tokyo Gifts

The ones i picked from Daiso are such a great buy! I've placed the picks such that you can see the different lengths available in each packet. I use the shorter ones for sausages, marshmallows, mostly finger food. And the longer ones are used to skewer stuff, like grapes, peas etc. The other picks are just plain cute!

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Rice Molds

Clockwise: Star,flower,heart & triangle shaped rice mold set, cylindrical shape (medium-size), onigiri mold (triangular-shape), rice paddle for rice molds, ball shape, and boy,girl&bear rice mold set.
From: All can be purchase in Daiso except the star,flower,heart & triangal set from Tokyo Gift

From: Tokyo Gift

Rice molds are pretty fun and great tools to decorate the lunch box for kids. I usually use the cylindrical mold to make the rice shape for nigiri, but because the rice is cylindrical, i have to use my hands to give it an capsule-like shape. Even though i can mold onigiri with my hands, when i bought the mold, i always used it. Having a mold makes things faster and cleaner (rice can get sooo sticky sometimes).

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Sauce Containers

Sauce bottles. Used to store small amounts of liquid sauce, usually soy sauce. The white pipette in the middle is used to draw soy sauce from the main bottle into the small bottle.
From: Daiso and Tokyo Gift

Adorable sauce cups. My favorite collection. Arent they the cutest? I usually use them to store tomato sauce, mayo, butter, jam, honey, or anything thick liquid.
Avaliable in Daiso and Tokyo Gift

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Thu, 08 Feb 2007 08:49:50 GMT

JAPAN

Japan is a really interesting place because you can find the strangest street fashion, innovative gadgets, high tech toilets, interesting coffee machines and most importantly, super duper kawaii stuff!
Basically, Japan has many unique things that you cant find any where else in the world.
Here, i'll be adding interesting stuff i got from japan during my trip last year in 2006 as well as other little things i have in my possession that are imported from japan, made in japan.

TRIP TO JAPAN 2006

The Coffee Machine

Something you dont see everyday! The huge coffee machine has SO many buttons that you can really get confused especially if you dont know japanese. There is actually a camera inside the machine, and a screen which displays how the coffee your have chosen is being made! I took this when i was in Tokyo, in a shop thats something like 7 eleven but with like.. 6-7 huge coffee and drink vending machines. Connected to the shop is a noodle shop where you order through a machine, collect your ticket, present your ticket, and collect your food. Many shops use this system because is very fast and the people handling the food doesnt touch any money which has alot of bacteria. So food is healthier and safer. (The video is muted because *clears throat* to protect me and my family from embarassment because of the comments we made. ( ; )

TEMPLES

The Kiyomizudera (Clear Water) Temple

JR Line, The Bullet Train

Host Clubs

One night after a extremely satisfying yakiniku (grilled meat) buffet, me and my family left the restaurant, down the escaltor to the lobby of the building. And there we fouind this pillar full of photos of "pretty" boys. This reminded me of something my friend told me after her trip to Japan. She said she saw a poster with many many reeaally cute boys on it. She told me it was for a host club. I was pretty doubtful, i mean how cute can they be? So that night, I walked around to find out whether it the poster was for a host club and whether a host club actually existed. Well, yes it did. I didnt go in (of course) but took a glimpse at the entrance.. or more like the stairs to it? It looked pretty high class with the stand (the ones you see in hotels and outside expensive restaurants telling you the speciality of the day etc) and everything. I think the sign looked glassy or marbly. I would have stared at the pictures longer if we didnt have to rush to go shopping.

Mount Fuji

Traditional Japanese Meals

Little Things

Little souveniers from Japan. The little white scoop in the middle is my treasure. When we went to Chinatown in Japan, my mom bought me a bag of roasted chestnuts. We have them here, delicious yes, but the feeling was different in Japan. Somehow when eatting hot chestnuts in winter, is.. pure bliss. The bag was like a heated pad and chestnuts were sweeter than usual. Anyone who has eaten chestnuts know that 1. its sometimes hard to crack the nut; 2. the nut gets stuck to the shell and is very hard to remove with skill. Well, the japanese seem to have invented what i call the miracle scoop that has jaggered side to pierce the shell for easier cracking. As well as to scoop the nut right of the shell instantly. No more cracked nails or swollen fingers! I will be using this whenever i eat chestnuts. ^_^

KINOKUNIYA

The ultimate place to get ultra cute stationery and gifts straight from Japan. I usually go there to buy those mini notepads and stickers. Occasionally, i do buy a few unique stationery.

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Recipes & Tutorials

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 08:46:26 GMT

RECIPES

Chicken:

Tori no Kare-age (Deep Fried Chicken Pieces)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
Egg:

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Recipes & Tutorials: Tori no Kare-age (Deep Fried Chicken)

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 08:43:59 GMT

Tori no Kara-age (Deep Fried Chicken)

Serves 2.

Ingredients:

2 boneless chicken thighs/ breasts
3 tablespoons corn flour
3 tablespoons plain flour
2 lemon slices

Marinade:

2 tablespoons of soy sauce (use less if seasoning overnight)
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
garlic, equal amount as garlic, finely chopped (add more if you want)
black pepper, grated
salt (if seasoning for a short period)

Cut chicken into approximately 1.25 inch cubes. Season chicken pieces for at least an hour, best overnight. Mix corn flour and plain flour together. Mix well. Coat chicken pieces well in flour mixture. For deep frying, heat oil (to check that oil is ready, place a stick in the oil and if bubbles form around the stick, oil is ready.)
When the oil is heated to appropriate temperature, cook chicken for 5 mins or till golden brown. Remove and garnish with a lemon slice. Serve with rice.