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Sunday, April 17, 2011

pasta primavera bento


How was your weekend? After a rainy, stormy Saturday, Sunday has unfurled like a spring flower...and provided sunny inspiration for this bento to start the work week. My pasta primavera includes pastel farfalle pasta with asparagus and shrimp (both quickly cooked in butter), sugar snap peas, edible violas.

Also in the bento: golden beets, butter lettuce and a sprig of oregano, already in spicy green bud in the garden!


In a little gelato cup, amaretti cookie and ripe raspberries:



Sunday's relaxed lunch featured this pasta with additional sauteed garlic and Parmesan cheese--yum!


The afternoon was breezy and bright...perfect for planting seeds: zinnia, nasturtium, morning glory and a wildflower/herb mix. It will be fun to see what comes up in the weeks ahead!


Scenes from our post-lunch walk...




We met cool and friendly Leander the cat...
  


Have a great week, happy cooking!



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20 comments:

  1. Happy Little BentoApril 17, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Those peas are gorgeous like that, and the kitty pick is so CUTE! Love going along on your walk; thanks for taking me :)

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  2. Robin OApril 18, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    A primavera that just sings of springtime! So fresh with shrimp, asparagus and parmesan. What a great way to celebrate a sunny Sunday!

    Love your selection of spring seeds plantings and look forward to seeing the results in the near future. I've got to start walking! You discover so much beauty along the way. Have a great week Jenn!

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  3. BentobirdApril 18, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    Hi Sheri! Fun to share a springtime stroll with you, happy Monday ^^!

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  4. BentobirdApril 18, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Hi Robin! Thanks so much, I always love your posts featuring relaxing weekend meals--glad you liked my primavera :D

    Have you put any seeds in yet? Are there some old favs you like to grow every year, and/or some new plants/seeds that have set your heart dreaming?

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  5. Robin OApril 18, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Hi Jenn,
    I've just got 3 tomatoes in and will soon be planting basil, parsley and lemon cucumbers and at least 3 types of chili peppers. Those are my staples. We'll have to see what flowers strike our fancy when we venture out to the nursery. Now, back to weeding!

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  6. BentobirdApril 18, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Hi again! Mmmmm, a nice assortment for bright summer meals! I'm new to lemon cucumbers--sounds quite refreshing :D

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  7. meganApril 18, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    yum, that pasta looks fabulous -- i love the striped bowties and your springy and fresh ingredients. am also grooving on the contrast between the flower-shaped golden beets and the bright blue real flowers!

    this is my first year with access to any growing space -- we have a big wooden planter on the roof of our apartment building, and yesterday i planted the radishes and lettuce mixes. tomatoes, chilis, basil and thyme are starting in a plastic greenhouse on my windowsill before i transplant outside.

    so perfect that everyone was in the seeding/planting mood yesterday! can't wait to see what beautiful things you grow and how you incorporate them into your bento creations :-)

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  8. BentobirdApril 18, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    hi there megan! thanks so much, aren't these striped bow ties fun? I bought them back in mid-Feb to save for a pasta primavera production!

    so cool that you'll be able to garden this year!! what joy and bento beauty to be able to harvest you own tender-fresh radishes, little lettuce greens, chilis, basil and thyme--hope they all flourish in the bright rooftop sun! it will be very fun to see them appear in your bento art. I love that we were both planting yesterday.

    edible flowers are just about the only crops that will grow in my shady, leafy environs, so I'll try to make the most of them :D

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  9. karaimameApril 18, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    Yesh! Going along with you on your walk was terrific!
    The bento is an explosion of spring flavors and colors! I love love love asparagus... need to wait a bit more for their season to come (oh yea?!? spring is damn late here!! ;_;)
    ;)

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  10. BentobirdApril 18, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    So sweet your comments L.! I'm here sending thoughts of spring, and balmy scented spring breezes your way!!

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  11. Nippon NinApril 18, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    What beautiful photos! I enjoyed just looking at them. I posted asparagus recipe on my blog too.

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  12. tata | bonitafoodApril 19, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    It's rainy here Jenn... Love to see your flower plants collection, it reminds me of my grandma :D. Btw, very pretty bento and your little white cat cutie makes me envy T_T

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  13. BentobirdApril 19, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Hello Nippon Nin, many thanks! I love asparagus and will check out your recipe :D!

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  14. BentobirdApril 19, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Hi there Ta! Miao, be cozy in the rain my dear friend ^^! Loved your recent tropical colors bento!

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  15. tinyskilletApril 20, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Hi Jenn,
    I love the bright blue bento, it gives me a good feeling when I look at it. The pastel farfalle pasta is so pretty with the veggies on top, my husband would love this. I have seen it in the stores. It looks like you will have many blooms to come. I should see if I can grow any flowers from seeds. Our weather is pretty hard on annuals.

    Cute kitty, looks familiar laying on the ground waiting for you. Our neighbors cat will do that. They said they've been seeing less and less of their cat since my husband is now working out of our garage at home.

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  16. BentobirdApril 20, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    Hi Lyndsey! Hmmm, this blue is pretty tropical, it would be nice for your warm-weather creations! Interesting about annuals in your area...I'd love to know more.

    Love how we both have neighbor cats that delight us!

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  17. AngeleyesApril 21, 2011 at 5:06 AM

    Love those pasta and the bento!!!!

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  18. BentobirdApril 21, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Thanks Angeleyes! They were a little pricey but turned out to be worth it for a spring treat!

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  19. cocyteApril 23, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Wow ! This is so beautiful ! I love how you've cut the peas and all the sweet colors !

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  20. BentobirdApril 23, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    hi cocyte! aw, glad you enjoyed this one! hope you are enjoying a festive and bright weekend :D

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