Sakura Flowers Bento ~B27~
On with the experimentations in my kitchen. I tried 3 new things today for my bento, cabbage pork rolls, pumpkin ball, and pink sakura flowers! =D
Ahh this morning was all about trying new things and Im satisfied with the results but definite improvement ideas for next time are all over my mind!
Main Box: Pork and cabbage dumplings, pumpkin ball with brown sugar, snow peas, bean sprouts, a cherry tomato, and rice topped with black sesame seeds and pink daikon flowers!
Side items: Yogurt drinks ( mini ), and some almond crush pocky.
For the pork and cabbage rolls I got the idea from a japanese cookbook where you are suppose to microwave them to cook, but I alas do NOT own a microwave lol! Makes bento a lil harder in the morning but I survive. Since I did not have a microwave I tried to steam these. They came out alright except the meat looks a little courser than I would have preferred. Next time I will add egg and breadcrumb to the mixture and see what happens. The texture could also be from over cooking >< I always overcook pork and chicken a bit, I need more faith lol
The pumpkin ball is another thing from the cookbook where again a microwave was used >< but I simply boiled it (sliced) , mashed it up with some brown sugar for a sweet pumpkin pie effect ( I forgot cinnamon) placed it into a plastic baggie and created a ball shape and twisted the top of the bag towards the pumpkin and let it rest. After a few minutes open the bag slowley and you will have a ball with a nice spiral top effect. Mine came out better but lost some of the design when I accidentally grazed it with my hand when arranging everything else =(
P.S. this recipe also works wonderfully for squash which is must faster in cooking when you boil them in thin slices.
The pink flower tip is the last thing I got from the same cookbook ( *Note* must buy more japanese cookbooks!) Marinade thin daikon slices in vinegar the night before. Next day cut out the shapes of daikon and to the same vinegar add 1 drop of red food coloring, I was in a rush and added 2 because the pink was not coming out well enough but soon I realized it had been too long and they came out neon pink! lol. It's ok now I know for next time! They look like the pink sakura flowers on the lid of this box =)
Today's bento, Im happy with it, but the next time I use these techniques I will know how to improve upon them. Practice makes perfect!
