Pages

▼

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

happy year of the rabbit bento


Hi bento pals! Finally getting back to bento after the holidays with what I hope will be a trend towards lighter, less caloric meals...are you also feeling the need to detox a bit?

For lunch today: soba with ginger dressing, asparagus with ikura and fish cake accents, pan-fried kabocha and a sheaf of refreshing ohba. Red currants, a lady apple and seasonal shimizukage/bean jelly for dessert. In honor of the incoming (on February 3rd, in fact, but I wanted to get a head start on the new year!) Year of the Rabbit, a new bunny accent:

Happy New Year, may it be full of creativity, sharing and culinary fun!

at

32 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    Happy new year, Jenn! Hope I am not too late to wish you this...heheh. Welcome back to bento making and I am so happy to see all your creative and pretty 'art' bento.
    This bento is SUPER beautiful! Love the 'oriental' feel and the bunny so much. So wonderful and awesome, Jenn! I feel like Chinese New Year is here already...hehe.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BentobirdJanuary 4, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    H1 Emily! It's been too long, how are you? Aw, such kind comments! Nice to celebrate a new year with great bento friends like you--hugs :D!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy Little BentoJanuary 4, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    Simply beautiful and appetizingly delicious! Happy new year to you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. BoboJanuary 4, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Happy New Year of Rabbit, Jenn!
    I am so happy this is the year of Rabbit, I can make many cute rabbits in my bentos..:)

    As usual, your bento is always a masterpiece to me.:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. SysylJanuary 4, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    For me your bento always looks beautiful! This one really make me drooling >.<

    ReplyDelete
  6. Katy CrayonJanuary 4, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    Very cute, and it definitely sounds delicious and detoxing! I don't know about you, but I threw out the Christmas cookies today and I don't care to look at another cookie for a little while!

    I love the bunny accents. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  7. KidsDreamWorkJanuary 4, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    Glad that you are back Jenn and Happy New Year to you and family! It is always a pleasure to see your lovely bento!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bento CatJanuary 5, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    Happy New Year! i love the happy festive feel to your bentos and I definitely HAVE to follow you! Oh yes, the oba leaves are fantastic, did you plant them yourself?

    ReplyDelete
  9. BentobirdJanuary 5, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Hi Sheri, many thanks, wishing you a bountiful and beautiful new year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. BentobirdJanuary 5, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Aw Bobo, blushing from your compliment!! I'm also a fan of bunny themed bentos so share your excitement about this new year! Hoping (hopping?) it will be full of delight and good times for you...

    ReplyDelete
  11. BentobirdJanuary 5, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Hi Sysyl! Thanks indeed and very happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  12. BentobirdJanuary 5, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Hi Katy! Thanks so much, loved your recent bunny bento. You have the coolest rabbit-themed bento set, btw. I really hear you about the cookies...:D

    Happy, healthy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  13. BentobirdJanuary 5, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Hi there Ai Ping! Wishing you and your family an excellent New Year, I look forward to visiting with you as the seasons unfold...:D

    ReplyDelete
  14. BentobirdJanuary 5, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Hi Bento Cat, thanks and welcome! Love your nickname and your cute blog, which I also had to join :D The oba leaves are from a Japanese market, but I love the idea of growing them here at home, that would be awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sonoma BentoJanuary 5, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    Awesome colors and flavors Jenn! How do you prepare the kabocha? I just got one at the farmers market and I am really excited to try it in bento. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  16. EnaJanuary 5, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Happy New Year! Love the beautiful color palette in this bento! The Year of the Rabbit has already started here in Japan, and I'm so glad to see rabbits everywhere :)

    *Ena*

    ReplyDelete
  17. BentobirdJanuary 5, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Hi SB! Thanks so much :) This kabocha was a snap to prepare, as it was thinly pre sliced from the store. I pan fried the slices on both sides in canola oil, then added some mirin and put a lid on the pan to steam them till tender. Nom.

    We also had a large whole kabocha that hubby decided to cook with dinner last night and it came out awesomely--here's how he prepped it: first cut kabocha in half horizontally, remove seeds, then cut the two halves into quarters (four pieces total). Oil them, toss with sea salt and fresh ground pepper (lots of pepper!) then place in 400 oven four about an hour.

    What emerged was sweet, crisp skinned kabocha candy--wonderful! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  18. BentobirdJanuary 5, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Hi *Ena*! Happy New Years greetings, may it be a beautiful one (with lots of great bentos for your fans to enjoy)! Would love to be in Japan to see all of the Year of the Rabbit fun!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Robin OJanuary 5, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    Like today's sunshine your bento greets the new year with joy! Happy Year of the Rabbit! Love those bunny accents.

    ReplyDelete
  20. BentobirdJanuary 5, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Hi Robin! Such a sweet comment, full of sunny good cheer :D I have so much blog-visiting and catching up to do, will try to remember to have had a full meal before visiting your truly mouth-watering site!

    Happy New Year of the Rabbit!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Journal Mommy YennyJanuary 5, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    HI Jenn, happy new year
    Wish you everything great in life :)
    Wonderful bento of yours, as usual

    ReplyDelete
  22. ArudhiJanuary 6, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    Happy (belated) New Year! Wish more good bentos to come this year!
    And btw, your rabbit looks super kawaii!

    ReplyDelete
  23. BentobirdJanuary 6, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Hello Journal Mommy Yenny, Happy New Year!Thanks so much for these lovely comments, wishing you and yours a beautiful year ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  24. BentobirdJanuary 6, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Hi there Arudhi! Happy Year of the Rabbit, wishing you a joyful year with lots of fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. LexiJanuary 6, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    So fresh & light, can taste the redcurrants! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. BentobirdJanuary 6, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    Hi Lexi dear, thank you and Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  27. The Church Cook January 7, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    oh, dear me! How beautiful is this? What vibrant colors and beautiful textures! Happy New Year, friend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. BentobirdJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    Hello Kay dear and Happy New Year! I look forward to sharing foodie inspirations with you in the new year, and to visiting your bright and beautiful blog, which always renews and refreshes me :D

    ReplyDelete
  29. Kristin (Book Sniffers Anonymous)January 7, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Happy New Year! This is a beautiful bento. It looks more like a centerpiece than food.

    ReplyDelete
  30. BentobirdJanuary 7, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Hi Kristin! Thanks for stopping by with your lovely comments and here's to much happy cooking in the New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    where did you get the bunny accent? so adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  32. BentobirdFebruary 1, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Hi there Anon, I found it at the Mitsuwa shopping center in Edgewater NJ :)

    ReplyDelete