Hi bento pals, long time no post! How are things? I've been very busy with work and also making preparations to move...to the West Coast! Jamison and I fell in love with Sonoma County, California and are in full home preparation for sale mode as we paint and work on many home improvement projects around the house.
Amid all of this busyness, fall has been unfolding beautifully here, whether in amber perfect days like today or stormy, rainy ones that leave the sky sparkling the next morning. The farmer's market has taken on that special burnished, hi-voltage intensity of autumn, with squash and root vegetables the stars of the show...
Fall always puts me in in the mood for the hearty, deep flavors of Korean cuisine. We checked out a new spot this weekend called Lighthouse Tofu. They are famous for their soups with tender tofu and seafood...Jamison's bubbling cauldron of ocean flavors in tangy chili and red bean paste sauce was the real deal.
I opted for the yummy seafood pancake:
In today's bento, the Korean theme continues with fried rice with red and orange market peppers, shimenji mushrooms, garlic chives, fennel and dried chili flakes. A small piece of seafood pancake (topped with a Japanese owl pick), wok-fried brussels sprouts and a sweet lady apple also for lunch.
Have a great week, friends!
22 comments:
Wow, how exciting you are moving across the country. Were you looking to move? or is it a spur of the moment thing? You'll have to give me your new address! I will miss all your cultural visits to exciting festivals and such that you have been posting about. Of course I will be looking forward to all your new Sonoma County ventures.
Jamison's bubbling cauldron of ocean flavors in tangy chili and red bean paste sauce looks amazing, I would love a bite. So gorgous is your Korean bento, just love the orange fall leaves around it. It looks tasty too!
Good luck with your move and have a great week!
I am sure that California will provide you with enough grist for your blog to keep us all entertained and lusting after your bentos. Good luck with the house sale and the move. Carole
Hi Lyndsey! So nice to read your comments, dear. We have been looking for a place to move after realizing we wanted a change of venue from Northern VA about a year ago. This area has been pretty fun, but we both feel the need for a more relaxed and open-hearted kind of place, and felt that out in Sonoma County.
A huge change for us both though, and we are both excited and a little nervous. It will be fun to blog from there and cultivate a garden in a sunnier and more temperate place. Thanks so much for your sweet comments about the bento, have you guys gone out for Korean recently? Take care, "talk" to you soon, buddy!
Hello Carole! Your lovely comments brought a smile after a long day. Hope you are recovering fully and feeling great...
wow, wish you a smooth moving process to Sonoma County.. so you are going to be neighbours with Michelle from Sonoma County? :)
I love your fried rice, what ingredients did you include?
Oh Yea! My buddy is moving to CA! So exciting and I know you will create unearthly and earthly bentos from the bounty of Sonomo County, with SF so close and possibly a side trip to Monterey Bay.
There is a bounty of Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Spanish and other international cuisines just a day trip away.
This Cali girl welcomes you both with wide arms and open heart.
- Robin
Keep me posted dear friend <3
Yayayayay!! Moving out here to the west coast!! You will love it here, and I'm looking forward to your take on Sonoma County bento flavors :D
Love your naturally beautiful and delicious looking bento, and the flora and fauna of the surrounds. Enjoy!
Thank you dear Bobo! Yes, we are moving to Santa Rosa and near Michelle. She was such a fun guide to the farmer's market when when we out visiting SR this spring and gave us great insights into this city...
The fried rice was a pretty quick affair of stir-frying diced hot red pepper, fennel, mushrooms, garlic chives, orange peppers and chili flakes in canola oil then tossing in the rice leftover from our Korean outing (oh, and some bean sprouts banchan from that meal, too)
Have a great day :D
Hiya Robin!! Thanks so much for this bright welcome to your beautiful state...we can't wait to explore it further and yes enjoy its great culinary diversity, too. Here's to meeting up IRL :D!
Hi Sheri! No accident that so many of my fav bentoists/food bloggers reside in Cali, like you! We are excited to come to a place that felt like "home" when we visited this spring...have a great Tuesday, friend :D
Hey Jenn,
check your email for a nice surprise from what-about-the-food.com!
Wow, you`re moving?? Must be exciting! I hope everything will go smoothly for both of you. Your bento looks amazing with colorful veggies in it. The first and only time I ate brussel sprouts was when I visited Spain and I didn`t even know what they were, so I called them mini cabbage until I knew their real names, lol! Very tasty!
Thanks Robin!! This made my day.
Hi there Arudhi! It's been tons of work to prepare but yes very exciting to anticipate moving to such a naturally beautiful area that celebrates nature and good food!
I agree about brussels sprouts, they rock! Hubby used to be highly skeptical of them based on childhood encounters with (shudder) boiled ones...but has been converted through the magic of oven-roasting. Hope all is well with you!
I love food in a basket! :) Oh and kitties basking in the sun too. :)
Awaiting eagerly Brussels sprout season in my CSA!
What a pretty pretty Bento ...!! I love how delicious it looks and the little owl pick is just adorable. I wish I could have your bento 'box', it looks very nice and traditional :-) .
Hello there dear Gnoe! Yes, this woven basket bento adds a festively informal feel to lunch that I really enjoy. Love following your CSA veggies in your photo-still lives and bentos!
Hi there CG! How are things? Found this bento on that amazing source of all things Japanese, Rakuten.com, in case you'd like to track one down...so many wonderful things available there.
I'm really excited to move to a place where a fantastic Japantown will be accessible...I think my bento collection will expand as a result!
Your bentos always look so delicioius and healthy!
I always look forward to your bentos. The colors and composition are inspiring. Your seafood pancake looks delish!
We have been contemplating a move the last couple of years (tired of the long, cold, windy, Alaskan winters) and this summer decided on the greater Seattle area. I too am excited to have the opportunity to garden in a warmer climate and see just what all I can grow there. Although we won't be ready to go until next summer.
Looking forward to your bentos from the west coast!
Hello Margot, thanks so much!
Hi Susan! Thanks for your kind comments :) Wow, that is exciting news...a huge change in climate and it sounds exciting and fun. Seattle's food and food scene is some of the best and highest quality in the country--how great for a creative cook!
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