Saturday, February 19, 2011

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

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

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

Friday, February 11, 2011

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

Thursday, February 10, 2011

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

Thursday, February 03, 2011

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

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

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

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

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