Hello!
Hello to everyone out there. I wasn't sure what I was going to concentrate on for my LJ--I'm not a writer (just a reader) and I'm not an artist. But what I do love to do is make bento lunches, or as my friend who lives in Japan calls them, obento. The "o" is the honorific, but that seems presumptuous when talking about my own lunch ;)
So here is my bento box, before lunch begins. It's quite pretty, I think. A lovely blue color and it makes me happy. I bought it in a Japanese gift shop in Washington D.C.
And here is what was inside today's bento:
In the top tier are: 4 mini burgers, cheddar cheese flower cutouts, and rice balls (onigiri) filled with avocado. On the bottom are: steamed cauliflower (plain), spinach sauteed with garlic, steamed yam flowers (i love my flower cutters!) and sliced strawberries. I make a version of this bento quite a bit and it's delicious.
Sometimes people are amazed that I put this much effort into making lunch--it does take quite a bit of time the night before and in the morning. I get up earlier just to put the boxes together, it's true--but I have to say, to me it doesn't feel like effort, because I love doing it. There is something about the small portions and the compartments, and the putting it all together to make something that is not only tasty but also pleasing to look at that is just so satisfying to me. The truth is, I don't really even watch TV at night anymore, and I don't miss it. I'm too busy--and happy!--making bento.
I'll post more bento pics as the mood strikes me. Until then, enjoy these photos. Maybe they'll inspire you to try making bento for yourself? I hope so.
xx sarah