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Thursday, May 5, 2011

pink soba and japanese chicken salad bento


Hi bento pals! In today's bento, pink soba with ume/plum flavor and a tangy chicken salad I concocted to echo the taste of the plum noodles...

 Chicken Salad with Japanese Pickle for Bento

 Dice one cooked chicken thigh and combine with a tablespoon of diced Japanese pickled vegetables (I used pickled eggplant seasoned with perilla and plum vinegar), two thinly sliced scallions, a tablespoon of Japanese sesame-ginger salad dressing and a little bit of mayo (to taste).



Avocado and green beans lightly drizzled with sesame dressing and almonds rounds out lunch. This is the first year I noticed these darling pink maple seedlings on our bronze Japanese maple tree...




Radiant iris swaying in the breeze...there are several thriving stands of Japanese iris in our sunny neighborhood park

 

Jamison's capture of fragrant lily of the valley


A neighbor's kitty was also out enjoying the day...






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23 comments:

  1. tinyskilletMay 5, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    It's beautiful!!! I love the cobalt blue mosaic bowl! All the colors are so pretty here! I was in Michigan over the weekend for my niece's wedding. When at my sister's house I was going to take some pictures of some hyacinths and other spring blossoms like you do, but it was rainy and not the best of lighting. Their spring is very late this year, and many of the trees were just budding. We did have a clear bright day before the wedding though. See how you inspire me? :D
    Love the composition of the last iris picture! Stunning!

    I have to get back to blogging soon! Take care!

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  2. LexiMay 5, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    ooh - plum noodles! So pretty!

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  3. BentobirdMay 5, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Hi Lyndsey dear! We've had a good deal of rain and overcast skies this spring, so on bright days like this I'm really motivated to take pictures. The contrast between Florida and Michigan must have been dramatic!

    Thanks so much for visiting and sharing these warm comments...looking forward to new posts from you :D Cheers!

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  4. BentobirdMay 5, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Hi Lexi! I love these noodles--pretty hue, delicate texture...

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  5. cafenoHutMay 5, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    What a bright post. Bowl, flowers, salad... all of them are stunning...

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  6. BentobirdMay 5, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Hi there cafenoHut! Thanks so much :D Glad you liked this one, wishing you a wonderful upcoming weekend!

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  7. BoboMay 5, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Love that bright pink colour somen that compliments the pink flower or vice-versa?
    Glad you share with us your wonderful captures of the florwers..

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  8. Susan YuenMay 6, 2011 at 3:32 AM

    The colors in your bentos are so vibrant! I love ume somen or soba. The flavor is subtle but delicious. Cute kitty! :)

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  9. BentobirdMay 6, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Hi Bobo! This bento had its starting point in the pink maple seedlings, which for some reason I'd never noticed in years past...loved their sweet color, which led me to think of pink soba! Oh, and the pink azalea blooming in our yard also had an influence :D

    Have a GREAT weekend!

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  10. BentobirdMay 6, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    Hi Susan! Yes indeed about the ume soba--you describe it perfectly. Hope all is well and that you'll enjoy a lovely weekend ^^!

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  11. Cooking GalleryMay 6, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Wow, pink soba! I wish I could have that here...:( It makes your bento box even lovelier :)!

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  12. BentobirdMay 6, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Hi there CG! These noodles would be perfect for your vibrant and fanciful bento creations :D!

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  13. SysylMay 6, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    cute pink soba >.<

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  14. BentobirdMay 6, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Hi Sysyl, thanks dear!

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  15. MeggMay 6, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    So lovely! I'm really going to have to try that ume soba soon (since I have some in my cabinet!)

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  16. BentobirdMay 7, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    Hi Megg! Cool--another interesting color/flavor element for your vibrant bentos, can't wait to see! Beautiful fresh weather here, hope its the same for you today!

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  17. Robin OMay 8, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Now you've gone and done it again and introduced me to something new! Pink Soba or ume soba is brand new to me and I'm going to have to go foodie shopping for this heavenly looking delight.

    Your iris photo is just vibrant and the entire post just sings with your choices of colors and flavors.

    Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. It is sunny and warm in CA and I just cut a bouquet of blue, purple and white, and bronze iris stalks for the house.

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  18. tata | bonitafoodMay 8, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Can imagine your beautiful garden Jenn :D. Your japanese chicken salad sounds so interesting to be tried :D

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  19. BentobirdMay 9, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    Hi Robin! Glad the inspiration is mutual...I'm excited to make a spring/celebration of onion family bento based on your recent mouthwatering post! Hope you'll find and enjoy this product, its fun and so feminine in color and texture...

    I love iris, your bouquet sounds STUNNING! Have a great week, looking forward to your next posts!

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  20. BentobirdMay 9, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    Hello Ta! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this salad...have a great day :D!

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  21. ann lowMay 10, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    I think I can have double portion of your simple bento! so pretty and healthy :)
    I made the ume soumen once as cold soba, love the plum flavor. http://anncoojournal.blogspot.com/2010/10/morikawa-ume-soumen-dried-noodle-with.html

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  22. ann lowMay 10, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Oh..may I know where did you get the pink soba in US, one of my friend is searching for it for quite sometime.

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  23. BentobirdMay 10, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    Hello there Ann! Sweet comments, thanks for sharing them and your yummy blog post. I found these ume noodles at a Japanese market in New Jersey called Mitsuwa...

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