Kabocha Squash & Egg & Cheese - 187 calorie Bento

This bento was very creamy - I love Kabocha Squash no matter how it is cooked. I have made up quite a few ways of cooking it, but this time I just steamed it. I used a japanese contraption to mold the egg. You just take a hot hard boiled egg, stick it in the mold, close it tight and stick it under cold running water for a few minutes. And there you go - a 'fish' egg. Hubbie just rolled his eyes when he saw the molded egg. Guys don't get it, do they? :)

Bento Content:

• Steamed Kabocha Squash (40)
• Hard Boiled Egg 'Fish' (77)
• Laughing Cow Light Cheese Wedges (70)

Total Bento: 187 calories

Salmon & Potato Croquettes - 164 calorie Bento

I had about 1 1/2 cups of mashed potatoes so I decided to make quickie croquettes. Just combined a canned of wild alaskan salmon (water drained), made mini balls, coated with seasoned breadcrumbs and baked in the oven. Nothing fancy, very quick and not fried. I was very happy with the results and they fit very nicely into my bento for lunch.

Bento Content:

• Salmon & Potato Croquette "balls" (140)
• Cucumber/Tomato/Shredded Romaine Salad (11)
• Cherries (13)

Total Bento: 164 calories

Baby Bokchoy Two Ways - 153 calorie Bento

I had a bagful of Baby Bok Choy and I didn't want to have it turn on me - they are delicate things that in my experience turn easily. So, I made up the whole bag. Not that it amounts to much anyway, it wilts to almost nothing, but oh-s0-yummy. I decided to chop of the bottoms off (they look like little green roses). I made a stir fry with the leaves and I steamed the bottoms with celery and lemon pepper seasoning. Hubbie stamped his approval - yay!

Bento Content:

• Teriyaki Glazed & Broiled Pearl Onions (25)
• Stirfry w/Morningstar Crumbles + Yellow/Red Bell Pepper Strips + Baby Bok Choy (118)
• Steamed Baby Bok Choy 'bottoms' & Celery (10)

Total Bento: 153 calories

Quail Egg & Tomato Skewers - 199 calorie Bento

I had a few quail eggs and was wondering what I could pack with them - why not skewers? I looked in my bento-stuff bin for picks or skewers and settled for the wooden ones. I have to say that the tiny eggs held up pretty well - I thought they would fall apart, but they didn't!

Bento Content:

• Quail Egg & Grape Tomato Skewers (64)
• Red Pepper Strips (9)
• English Cucumber Strips (3)
• Trader Joe's Sea Sa;t & Pepper Crisps (63)
• Catalina Dressing - Light (60)

Total Bento - 199 calories

Skewers and Creamed Spinach - 230 calorie Bento

I love creamed spinach but I avoid it like the plague. It is usually high in calories, but I found a pre-made one that comes in the microwave steamer bags that is not too 'calorific'. The container I used is great for bentos that have something liquidy. It has a separate lid for the center part and another lid covering the whole thing. I'm guessing it was meant for dips and crudites, maybe? I'm not complaining, specially since I found it in the $1 store! Yay!

Bento Content:

• Grilled chicken patty & Black Olive skewers (167)


• Creamed Spinach (50)


• Shredded Lettuce & Shredded Carrot (13)

Total Bento: 230 calories

Red Quinoa & Grilled Tofu - 300 calorie Bento

These were leftovers from last night's dinner. I wanted to try something different and decided to grill some Tofu and try out some Red Quinoa I found at Trader Joe's.

I am not a really big fan of Tofu, but I am always on the look out for variety, so I marinated the Tofu and grilled it. It turned out very well and way easy to cook. The red quinoa I made in the rice cooker. I rinsed it out very well before I cooked it and once cooked I mixed it in with fresh minced parsley. I liked it, but hubbie didn't really like the parsley in it. Oh well...can't win 'em all!

Bento Content:

• Red Quinoa (170)
• Grilled Tofu (75)
• Spicy Peas (35)
• Grape Tomatoes (20)

Total Bento: 300 calories

Salade Niçoise - 229 calorie bento

I am always on the watch for small things that can fit in a bento box. This past week I was lucky enough to find quail eggs and teeny tiny potatoes - I inmediately thought Salade Niçoise! I made a batch for dinner and separated some for my lunch bento. Hubbie loves salads and this one was a big hit. I love this composed salad - it is very filling!

Bento Content:

• Teeny Tiny Potatoes (boiled whole - they were soooo creamy!) (35)
• Quail Eggs - hard boiled (56)
• Grape Tomatoes (12)
• Carrots (18)
• Light Tuna packed in water (60)
• Romaine Lettuce (8)
• Steamed Haricot Vert (15)
• Black Olives (25)

Total Bento: 229 calories