The Art Of Constructing A Bento

The Art Of Constructing A Bento

Making a bento can be hard work for the brain, but it’s very rewarding when you see the people you love eating the things you make. It’s important for me that my bento taste good and are healthy too. So here’s my guide as to 

Bunny Quilt Bento

Bunny Quilt Bento

It’s Snowpocalypse 2018 here on Long Island and that means we’re all snowed in until further notice. The good part of this is that I can make a more time consuming bento. It’s actually not as difficult as it looks but does take a bit 

Simple Chicken White Cream Stew

Simple Chicken White Cream Stew

This is an easy and comforting Japanese Yoshoku (western style) recipe that comes together in about 20-30 minutes. For those bitterly cold days, this dish is a hit with both the kids and the adults in my house. If you don’t have powdered mushroom stock, 

Inarizushi Bear Bento

Inarizushi Bear Bento

It’s not new years without inarizushi! Tonight is our annual etsunengeiko at the Long Island Aikikai, where Hagihara-shihan leads the class from 11:30pm to 12:30pm. It’s a yearly tradition to practice over the coming of the new year. Afterwards, some students choose to partake in 

Seared Ahi Tuna Bento

Seared Ahi Tuna Bento

Costco and Aldi both have packs of individually packed frozen ahi tuna, which is great for my family who love raw/rare fish often but don’t want to spend the money (or time) going to a sushi restaurant. Our favorite way of eating it is searing 

Umejiso Onigiri and Soy Garlic Butter Steak Bento

Umejiso Onigiri and Soy Garlic Butter Steak Bento

I bought a small package of umeboshi (Japanese pickled plums) at the supermarket–I haven’t had it in a long time and memories of the salty-sour treat compelled me to make some onigiri for today’s bento. It’s a traditional pairing with rice and shiso (the red 

Skewered Ginkgo Nuts

Skewered Ginkgo Nuts

Ginkgo biloba is a beautiful tree that has been planted for its ornamental value in both the east and the west. It has been praised for its medicinal qualities and for improving memory. It’s a large and long lived tree, requiring both a male and 

Yakitori Gizzards and Ginkgo Nut Bento

Yakitori Gizzards and Ginkgo Nut Bento

I bought a bag of gingko nuts and picked up a pack of chicken gizzards (they looked so fresh!) and decided to grill the gizzards yakitori style. While chicken gizzards are often not to everyone’s taste (even if they are delicious morsels perfect for grilling 

Avocado Ikura Don Bento

Avocado Ikura Don Bento

Both my 4 year old and 1 year old are fiends for ikura (salted salmon roe) so whenever I make the trip to the Asian supermarket (I now live far from Flushing), I always endeavor to buy some. It’s cheaper than ordering at the restaurant. 

Beef Teriyaki and Bara-Chirashi Bento

Beef Teriyaki and Bara-Chirashi Bento

We had prime rib at my mother-in-laws house for Christmas yesterday, and took home a lot of the steak as leftovers. An easy and delicious way to use it up was to cube it and make teriyaki. The sauce is very easy, with all the