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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

chicken salad with spicy greens bento

 
A speedy bento lunch today made with roast chicken, a great item to have on hand for creating quick and nourishing salads. I tore some white meat into bite-sized shreds, combined with diced ginger and a bit of my favorite Japanese "roasted sesame dressing" and some scallions--fast and delicious.
 
The arugula in our garden is getting more peppery-hot by the week and that's in here too, along with a just-pulled French breakfast radish, yellow tomatoes, brocollini flowers and sweet dark blue blueberries.
 
 
Tied with a Japanese ribbon....
 
 
These darling coral-pink flowers just opened this week on a large shrub that had been until now nondescript...I love the surprises that emerge so colorfully month by month outside.
 
 
 
 
We transplanted "Goldie" the Meyer lemon today into her new terracotta home:
 
 
 
Some images from a recent stroll, with favorite things: cats and camellias. I'm eager to find a pink and white striped/variegated camellia of my own!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


7 comments:

Happy Little Bento said...

Looks like you have a single camellia, is it? Very elegant and classic. So nice of you to take us on a lunch and walk together with you...

origa-me said...

Just popped I for my colour " fix", beautiful as usual!my retinas are saturated! BTW the nondescript shrub is a japonica I think.

Bentobird said...

Hi Sheri! The scary thing is learning how many gorgeous varieties of camellia are available--its like discovering a whole new addiction (ah, but that's gardening in general)...have a beautiful day :)

Bentobird said...

Hiya origa-me! Ah, thanks for the plant info, and I'm glad you found a "color fix" here, that made me smile. how is the weather in Australia, is much in bloom?

Margot said...

The nondescript shrub with the lovely winter blooming flowers is a flowering quince. There are a number of lovely cultivars, including a deep read, an appleblossom like pinkand white and a double pale apricot that blooms a bit later and looks superb next to lavender plants. Welcome to Northern Calif!
Also, there is an excellent rhododendron nursery in your area (Sonoma County) that also sells interesting camellias. Including scented varieties. They have lovely grounds to explore. Sorry, I've misplaced the name

Bentobird said...

Hi Margot! Thanks for sharing all this great info, the quince cultivar with double pale apricot blooms made my mouth water :) Apricot/peach and lavender is an absolutely favorite color combination, in the garden and out. I wonder if the rhodie nursery is Celebrate Rhododendrons on Bodega Highway?

Margot said...

Hi Bentobird
It is Sonoma Horticultural Nursery near Sebastapol.
They have a huge garden complete with pond and streams that is worth a visit even if you are not in the market for plants. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff, too.