late august market, smoked fish sandwich bento

Hi bento pals! On overcast Saturday morning before Hurricane Irene's (thankfully understated) arrival in the DC area, I walked over to the farmers market and found late-summer produce still abundant and vibrant...look at these peaches!

Plums in jewel tones hint at fall's rich colors...

Today's bento features market snow pea tops and nasturtium (the little blue flowers are edible borage blooms), a purple market pepper filled with Tzatziki (cucumber-yogurt salad), whole grain toast spread with scallion cream cheese and lush slices of smoked sablefish plus a little half-sour dill pickle.

A sweet white peach for dessert...I've really enjoyed peaches this summer in their many delicious varieties.

Have a super week and happy cooking!

"tiny bento" inspired bento

Today's bento was inspired by the lilting tropical flavors of the Tiny Bento blog and equally yummy Tiny Skillet cooking blog, where Lyndsey amazes me with the international scope of her cooking adventures and the aromatic array of spices featured in her bentos and delicious family meals. Bright images of the flora and fauna of the beautiful Florida coast also illuminate the Tiny Bento blog...it feels like a mini-vacation to visit!

Inspired by spiced ocean breezes from Lyndsey's kitchen, this bento includes rice with coconut milk, coconut flakes and a golden tint of turmeric. Fish cooked in Greek yogurt, scallions and mushrooms rests on farm tomato slices (picked green on Saturday and now ripening to a soft orange).

Fresh basil and ripe peach and sweet cherries round out this summery lunch. A cute green froggie peers out just below some nasturtium leaves (or lily pads!)

Enjoy the rest of the week and stay safe, all those in Hurricane Irene's path...

farm fresh bento

Hi bento pals! This weekend we visited a pick-your-own farm in Delaplane, VA: Hollin Farms, with a hilly orchard of peach trees, neat rows of scarlet and green tomatoes, peppers and other summer delights on acres of well-tended land...

Peaches seemed to glow on the trees...we came home with an abundant selection of several varieties.

Okra plants have beautiful ivory flowers, a fun discovery!

Golden zucchini blossoms

Sweet summer still life

A magical aisle of sunflower and zinnia hummed with color...and butterflies!

A pretty violet eggplant flower

After picking our peaches and tomatoes, we were hungry and a bit tired...Frost Diner in Warrenton came to the rescue with a restorative lunch!

Fried chicken, coleslaw, grits and gravy:

Lovely old fashioned pickled beets and buttery lima beans, yum!

Before driving home, a stop at the Red Truck Bakery Cafe, also in Warrenton. A cheerful, relaxing cafe space and wonderful baked items make this a local gem...

This cinnamon apple oatmeal muffin was delish.

Tangy sweet lemon squares (also in Monday's bento!)

A lush peach pie

Apple cake with maple glaze...a foretaste of fall!

Ripe farm tomatoes in our kitchen

Monday's bento brings the sunny out of doors to the office with a farm tomato stuffed with basil chicken sausage, toasted bread, fresh basil leaves, garlic and chopped tomato and topped with a goat cheese-mint flower heart.

Also for lunch: a golden slice of yellow pepper, more basil, farm blackberries and white peach plus a sweet slice of lemon square from the Red Truck Bakery. Have a wonderful week and happy cooking!