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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

stuffed purple pepper bento

Hi bento pals! A quick post, lunch was a spicy bento with chickpea-chipotle chili and my new fave bento element, purple bell peppers!
We really enjoyed the flavor combination of organic beef cooked with Penzy's dried chipotle chili powder, onions, garlic and chickpeas (definitely one of my favorite beans) for dinner last night and it seemed a natural for bento tucked into a local purple pepper (garnished with goat cheese and sage flower).

A super-sweet peach and cherries were a nice contrast to the sizzling chili. For a toothsome snack, almonds roasted with olive oil and sea salt and a skewer of quince paste and manchego cheese.
 
Enjoying a wonderfully mild day in the 70's, perhaps the grip of summer's heat is easing at last. The farmer's market had some lovely nectarines and eggplant on Saturday, yum!

I've added this bento to Shannon's What's for Lunch at Our House Wednesday roundup, so many interesting bentos to browse and be inspired by!

31 comments:

Megg said...

OOoh! Very inspiring.. I was at the farmers market the other day and made a point to look for purple peppers after I saw them in your lunch recently... I found one, although it's more streaked with purple (not as vibrant as yours) and have been wondering what to do with it to do it justice! When I first saw this pic I thought it was red quinoa at first.. maybe I'll stuff mine with that! Stay tuned! Thanks for the ideas and the lovely photos! ^_^

tinyskillet said...

It is so pretty! I am really into Penzey's dried chipotle chili powder lately! I just made some oven roasted chickpeas seasoned with it. I have you to thank for that! :D I've used it in my chicken burgers, popcorn, chicken and waffles, etc...the list goes on! Did you roast the almonds yourself? and is that one of your morning glories in your bento? Our farmers market should be picking back up in Sept. I can't wait. We are still near 90 everyday, but that's summer in Florida!

Bentobird said...

Hi Megg! Oh, I'm so happy you found purple peppers at your market! Love your red quinoa idea. looking forward to seeing how you prep both the pepper and this delish and very healthful grain :D

We snapped up some boxesred quinoa when it re-appeared on out local TJ's shelves after a temporary absence--love it!

slushygirl said...

Delish! And beautiful!

Emily Ng said...

Oh...purple pepper, red and yellow cherries...so lovely, I cannot get these from my place here.
I am sure the stuffed purple pepper taste excelent, you are good is preparing food.
BTW, nice photo shooting. :)

Bentobird said...

Hi there Lyndsey, thanks so much! You know, we should send our chipotle creations to be included in the Penzy's catalogue, haha! It is so addictively smokey and intense...OMG, on chicken and waffles, I MUST try that!

Yep, tossed the almonds in olive oil and sea salt and roasted in 300 degree oven for about 15 minutes...hard to stop eating them, said hubby! Late in summer, the morning glories are finally opening including this jazzy Japanese variety, seeds found on EBay :D

Can't wait to see your summer-into-fall market finds and how they migrate into your pretty bentos!

Bentobird said...

Hi slushygirl, thanks for your visit and kind comment!!

Bentobird said...

Aw, that's really nice of you, Emily! I'd like to link to your blog, can you help me translate its name? Thanks and happy cooking, my friend :D

Happy Little Bento said...

So gorgeous! Another breathtaking bentobird creation!

KidsDreamWork said...

So pretty and refreshing! Always love your photos besides your bento! :)

Lia Chen said...

Absolutely pretty! I would love to have those cherries ... Your bento always so pleasing to my eyes :)

tata | bonitafood said...

Omaigod, really want to bring that beautiful purple dahlia flower into my own garden :D. Hemm, seems you have a love affair with purple recently :D

Angeleyes said...

Gosh!!! Your photos are soooooooooooooo bright and beautiful!!! Love your purple bell pepper bento... so fresh and yummy!

Emily Ng said...

Thanks so much, Bentobird..love to share the link to you. Translation ... means . Really thanks a lot. Thanks you, my dear friend. :)

Emily Ng said...

Opps...some words are missing...
Translation ..."爱。魅力" means "Love.Charm".

Bentobird said...

hi sherimiya! **smiles** have a great day!

Kaimono888 said...

Hmm, I have only seen red, green and yellow pepper; not a purple one. Does it taste the same? Why no eggplant in your bento today :) You can add in and make a purplish bento haha^.~ Anyway, nice color combination of your bento. Oh, I love the paper setting too ^.~

Have a good week ahead, my friend!

Bentobird said...

thank you Ai Ping, need to hop over to your cue blog and see what's new!

Bentobird said...

hi Lia! thanks! I'm still aw-ing over the pink piggies, they were just the cutest!

Bentobird said...

Ta, you are so right--shades of purple, pink and bright green are my faves right now! Glad you liked this flower pic!

Bentobird said...

Angeleyes, you leave the sweetest comments. Thank you so much!

Bentobird said...

hi Emily--thanks! Yay, can't wait to add your lovely blog to my blogroll :D!

Bentobird said...

hi there Kaimono! ha, I'll need to get more eggplant at the Saturday market! the purple peppers are less sweet than the yellow and red but are really tasty. Planning on making a salad with all colors of peppers, fennel and some spanish cheese later...should be a colorful dish :D

Loved that awesome crab dish on your blog, would love some of that right now! Enjoy the rest of the week!!

Sonoma Bento said...

Love those classic flavors of quince paste and manchego cheese. Your skewer is awesome! And I bought a purple pepper at the market today, inspired by all of your gorgeous pepper posts. :)

Bentobird said...

Hi SB! Thanks! Classic combo it is, and with the roasted almonds, all that was lacking was a good glass of sherry to feel like I was in Barcelona!

Woot, can't wait to see your vivid purple pepper bento :D!

Lexi said...

Lovely - and I love chipotle, it's not so easy to find over here unless in specialist shops! Chilli is just the thing for this time of year - and I LOVE the photo of the beautiful pink flower too!

Bentobird said...

Hi Lexi! Thank you :D I agree about chili--spicy flavors go well with warm weather. Oh, almost forgot--I'm addicted to spicy heat year-round, tee hee! If you ever have trouble tracking down chipotle, please let me know, have a great source for it nearby!

Susan Yuen said...

I have missed seeing all of your beautiful bentos!!! Absolutely gorgeous and wonderful flavor combinations. :)

Bentobird said...

Hello Susan! Thanks for coming by with these sweet comments!...the return of your happy, graceful bentos has lent sunshine to my week!:D

megan said...

that heart shaped pepper is amazing, and your floral decorations always make me smile. love the spanish inspiration of that cheese-and-quince skewer, too!

Bentobird said...

hi megan, YAY, you're baaack! so happy to read your great comments, hope you're enjoying late summer!