hapa bento

Today’s featured bento was for Saba Man’s lunch yesterday.  I had forgotten that he had to work this weekend  so when I saw him prepping to leave I had a minor panic attack.

A bento is needed!   Thank goodness I had already defrosted a mahi mahi fillet for his dinner.

Lightly seasoned with sea-salt, cracked pepper and a quick brush of olive oil, the fish was ready-to-eat after 15 minutes of baking.

While that was in the toaster oven, I zapped a packet of frozen brown rice and sauteed brown mushrooms in garlic-butter with a splash of sake.

These are the times when I’m glad that I have a postage-stamp sized kitchen. Everything is within arms reach.

But, something’s missing.  “I need green!”, muttering to myself….

Yay! Leftover roasted asparagus to the rescue!

The nori details and deco were added while the contents cooled— a speedy bento can still be charming so a red strawberry completed the look.

I handed Saba Man this bento, he grabbed his coat and keys then out the door he went!

I think this bento took less time to assemble than to post! 

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Ah…mahi mahi.  It’s one of those fishes that can be fixed up to order!  Cooked and served up in almost any style.

Grilled, baked, breaded…whatever!  Have you ever had a mahi taco?  Mmm… a fish taco bento sounds divine.

But for now Saba Man is stuck with this mayo grilled mahi mahi filet.  Darn.

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The use of fresh lettuce for baran, the barrier between food items, is becoming cost prohibitive.   With the recent rash of bad weather, fresh fruits and vegetables are now almost double in price!  What’s a bentoist to do?  Read the rest of this entry →

Hi bento lovers!  Today’s featured bento is a no-cook lunch.   Because all the foods are “ready-to-eat”  from my neighborhood deli. 

Sometimes, especiallly on  the most hectic of days, I totally opt out of cooking. 

On this occasion I picked up  roasted chicken, ravioli salad, corn pudding, and roasted veggies.  

I added the  ”heart” as my own personal touch.  Maybe because I have teeny-tiny pangs of guilt?

Nah!

Gotta run.  I’ll be back to posting some delicious bento-friendly recipes soon.

PS. If you’re in the Seattle area, and shop at PCC Natural Markets… you must try their ravioli salad.  So good.

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For more bento tips, information and recipes subscribe to hapa bento via your email or newsreader.

Less than a week away from Chirstmas and we are in hyper-drive to complete all tasks before— not one, but two— long weekends.  I’m so glad that both holidays fall on Saturday this year.

I’ll still be packing bento lunches though. Like many of you, Saba Man does not have the same luxury but at least he’ll have nutritious and yummy lunches to see him through.

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Woot!  Introducing a new bento box.  Two-tiered stainless steel!   I loves this box.

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Does this look like chicken?  Maybe teriyaki or barbecue styled?  Not even a little bit?

But lest you think that I’m trying to pull a fast-one,…Saba Man actually likes my wheat-meat (seitan) creations!

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Wow, it’s been a long time since the last bento box post!   But vacations are now over and we are all back to work.  To ease his way back to the grind…Saba Man will be taking a “comfort food” bento lunch of chicken adobo and rice.

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Today’s featured bento with the exception of the cucumbers was assembled with take-out foods!

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Another quick post but this time with teriyaki chicken thighs from a large batch I cooked myself.

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Quick bento post featuring more “Costco-stash”…salmon patties.  Saba Man loves them!

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Ah… summertime!   Well, it’s not quite here yet but it’s close enough so today’s bento has one of my favorite warm weather salads…caprese!

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