Saba, Roasted Eggplant, Corn Bento Box
Today’s featured bento contains the roasted miso eggplantfrom the recipe a few days ago. Also some saba…a surprise for Saba Man! I hadn’t packed mackerel in a long while and he began to wonder if I was going to change his nickname.
The saba I bought from the deli shop is already prepared. They do a far better job than what I could do or would want to do at home. They cook the whole fish (sans head) split down the middle and grilled! This is somthing I would never attempt in my own kitchen. Could you imagine how long the scent of grilled mackeral would linger? Months… maybe years!
To soften out the strong fish flavors there’s also plain steamed corn and brown rice. On top of the rice are various sides; roasted sesame seeds, chopped Japanese pickled cucumbers, sweetened black beans, and red beni shoga. Come to think of it… all these flavors may not soften the tastes but acutally enhance them!
No matter, there’s plenty of fish for a few at least two more bento boxes and I can tweak the formula. Saba Man will be both pleased and relieved that he won’t have to change his name to Roasting Man!
It is convenient to have the deli do all the “aromatic” cooking for you! Rice looks so cute with all the teeny sides… Nice looking and satisfying bento!
Thank you sheri! I once made the long lasting mistake of cooking saba in the house.
I love your corn <3 Never seen such great colors ^-^ Everything looks delicious =)
Thank you Lil’chan. I had some of the corn and it tastes like it was roasted and not steamed like the deli cook said it was. So it was a bonus!
That corn looks absolutely beautiful! As a midwesterner, I never thought I’d say this, but I’m incredibly jealous of the corn selection at your grocery store/farmers market
Hi Dana,
Thank you! A midwesterner jealous of our corn! Wow, that’s a compliment.
Beautiful bento and the corn is gorgeous! I love they way you arranged the rice with all of the different toppings. I bought some mini eggplant yesterday because your’s looks so yummy! I am inspired.
Hi Susan,
Thank you! *blush*
Finally can see your yummy roasted eggplant landed in your bento box hehehe …beautiful bento presentation. Love the colorful toppings on the rice and what a great corn!! Your bento always WOW me (^.^)
Awww Lia, you are so kind say such nice things. Thank you.
whenever i make fish in my house it smells for days — yuck! i tried the eggplant tonight, it came out not quite as crispy as yours (i used a different kind of eggplant), but still super yummy, thanks so much for the recipe. bet it tastes great in this box with the tender corn and yummy fish!
Hi gamene- No kidding about the smell. I’m honored that you tried my recipe. Saba Man really enjoyed this bento box. I think it was the corn.
Oh I forgot that I pass you an award. Please pick it up here.
This post was so amusing, love your dry humor
Also, this photo is awesome, I keep marveling over the amber rainbow of shiny corn with the pretty deep purple eggplant and regal green shiso leaf. The special touches of flavor and color on the brown rice are delightful, too!
Thank you Bentobird! Your comments are always so delightful!
Like Lia, I’ve also passed you the Happy 101 award
Thank you for the award!
I’ve passed the Happy 101 award for you. Please come on by and pick it up! http://anamericaninbento.blogspot.com/
And the awards stack up! lol
Hi Tammy, I feel so happy that I’m getting yet a third Happy 101 award. Thank you so much!