Bento Bento Bento!

So I finally received the Just Bento Cookbook from the friendly mailman today, and I am super-pumped about crafting some more tasty lunches for the Hubster and I this summer.

As some of you know, I quickly became obsessed with making bento boxes after watching one too many anime where the food is just too cute to eat! Of course, I realized later that food looks much different in real life than in cartoon, but still, it is adorable. 

This post might get lengthy with the amount of pictures on here, so I'll do a jump break. To read more, click the link below!

The best place for bento recipes that I've found is Just Bento.com.  The brains behind it, Makiko Itoh, gives you healthy and tasty meal options that fit into lunch boxes, perfect for a busy day. She offers classic Japanese recipes as well as American-style, vegan, gluten-free food ideas and more.Definitely check out her site if you want to get started on bento-making yourself.

Shredded Vegetable Salad Image courtesy of Just Bento 

Chana Dal with Fennel and Almonds Image courtesy of Just Bento

Chicken Karaage Bento Image courtesy of Just Bento.

Also, I've decided to share my favourite place to buy bento accessories online. Back home, I can get all I need from Pacific Mall or Mika's Gifts, but here, in nowhere land, I need to get my goods online. Allthingsforsale has the most selection at the best prices that I've found so far. Great deals daily, plus they do giveaways every month. You can enter this months, but I'm going to win this time, sorry! ^_^

Plastic Rice Ball Wrapping Image courtesy of Allthingsforsale

Square Bento Box with 4 Compartments Image courtesy of Allthingsforsale

Hello Kitty Decorative Bento Cutter Set Image courtesy of Allthingsforsale

And just cause I can, I'll load you up with some of my favourite bento feats to date.

My sister and I tackle our first onigiri! They turned out pretty cute!

October 2010

This one's not in a box. Made it before I bought my boxes. But still, the effort counts, right?

October 2010

My version of the soup from the movie Ponyo.

November 2010

Another onigiri attempt. 

November 2010

Rice pigs in a mud bath of curry.

November 2010

The ever popular omurice.

August 2010

As you can see, these are very pretty old pictures. But now that I have my new bento book, I can make 238572374634 more! Thanks Hubby, I promise I'll put it to good use! Now, to buy more accessories... ^_~