Pinwheels - 346 calorie bento

There is something strange going on with blogger - my Bento Partakers no longer appear on the blog! It seems that this might be a known issue - I'm trying to investigate what is going on. I haven't taken you guys out - I'm trying to get you back! :)

Anyhow, this is a bento I made with pinwheels - one of my favorite ways of packing up yummy things to eat!

• Pinwheels (whole wheat rollup, egg salad, minced roasted peppers) (314)


• Grape Tomatoes (12)


• Blueberries (346)


• Tabasco Sauce (0)
  

Total Bento: 346 calories

Seared Tuna - 184 calorie Bento

I found a couple of Bird's Eye Steam Fresh rice side dishes that are a calorie bargain - plus quite low on Sodium and Fat content. Check them out in the freezer section of your supermarket - quite tasty and great when in a hurry and don't have the time to make the rice from scratch.

This one also contains Peppered Seared Tuna. I basically bought a chunk of fresh tuna and sprayed it with oil spray (to get rid of the stick-to-the-pan syndrome) and seared it on all sides. I then sprinkled a plate with ground pepper and salt, then pressed the tuna onto the mixture and then sliced it. It took me less then 10 minutes to make this. When I packed the bento, I added frozen grapes to help keep the tuna cold until I ate it.

Bento Content:

• Seared Peppered Tuna (78)
• Steam Fresh - Bird's Eye - Brown & Wild rice with Corn, Carrots & Peas (48)
• Steamed Carrots, Broccoli Rabe, Zuchinni & Cauliflower (20)
• Frozen Grapes (36)

Total Bento: 182 calories

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

Black Bean Pinwheels - 370 calorie Bento

Pinwheels are the most versatile portable lunch ever. Best of all, you can fill it with whatever you want. I confess I use up a lot of leftovers for them. I've made sweet ones and I've made savory ones - you name it! The trick to keep them from unrolling on you is to spread something semi-wet and preferably a bit thick and sticky, like soft cheese, mayo - you get the picture. Today I used Black Bean spread.

Bento Content:

• Black Bean Spread with Minced Cilantro and Jalapeno peppers Pinwheels (189)
• Grape Tomatoes (21)
• Lite Cheddar Cheese (80)
• Baby Carrots - chopped (15)
• Kellog's crackers (65)

Total Bento: 370 calories

Chicken Shu Mai and Blistered Tomatoes - 230 calorie Bento

I love tiny food - hence my bento appreciation. I love all types of things in a different plate. I love color. Except for my clothing (I love black and all shades of it - hahaha), I don't live a monochromatic life. My artwork on my walls is very colorful. That usually applies to my food too. I remember that once I ended up cooking steamed cauliflower, chicken and mashed potatoes. I put it on my plate and was horrified! How on earth did I come up with an all-white dinner? Well, I ran for the kitchen and got some mustard and ketchup and some salad greens. There's color for ya! Thanks for putting up with my rambling! Kinda hyper today!!!

Bento Content:

• Chicken Shu Mai (173)
• Blistered Tomatoes with Herbs de Provence (42)
• Celery (15)

Total Bento: 230 calories

Salmon Salad Sandwich & Apples: 301 calorie Bento

I made my go-to homemade salad - salmon salad. Everytime I make it different - this time I added low calorie mayo, dill weed, tomato, onion, parsley, yellow peppers and celery, plus a can of wild salmon packed in water. I put tons of the veggie in it to fill me up.

Notice the tea bags - the funniest tea story ever. Every time I go to my favorite chinese restaurant I have their tea. After years of wondering, I asked the owner for the brand of tea they use. He said "Hum - I don't really know the name. I just ask our supplier for restaurant tea". That struck me as odd and thought that maybe he wasn't willing to share. Oh well. A few weeks later I ventured into an Asian market and walked down the tea aisle. There were dozens and dozens of different teas and lo and behold, what do I spot? CHINESE RESTAURANT TEA! Can you believe it? That is exactly how it is called! And here I was thinking my guy in the restaurant was unwilling to share! And guess what...it tastes exactly like his! Live and learn...

Bento Content:

• Salmon Salad Sandwich (231)
• Mini Apples (70)
• Tea bags (0)

Total Bento : 301 calories

Balsamic Chicken - 252 Calorie Bento

I haven't been bento-ing much lately and when I have, I haven't been taking pics. And guess what...it shows! I truly believe that taking pics and keeping count definitely helps the battle of the bulge. I'm going to try my best to get back into the groove, eventhough it means getting up earlier than than regular 5:40am to do my thing. Fingers crossed, here I go!!!!

Bento Content:

• Balsamic chicken with Snow Peas and Red Peppers (200)
• Grape Tomatoes (42)
• Yellow Pepper Strips (10)

Total Bento: 252 calories

Salmon Salad & Lentil-Potato Curls - 292 calorie Bento

I have found some crunchy thingies at T.J.'s - Lentil and Potato Curls. There are not greasy nor salty at all and a serving is 31 curls! Say what? 31? Yup, 31! And they are made out of Lentils and Potatoes - what more can I ask for? (Another bag, maybe?!?)

Bento Content:

• Chopped Carrots (9)
• Chopped Celery (9)
• Mini Challah (so cute!) (56)
• Salmon Salad (without mayo) (50)
• Lentil and Potato Curls (58)

Total Bento: 292 calories

Beans So Green & Chicken - 317 calorie Bento

Ok, I usually don't purchase anything that comes with some kind of butter sauce on it, but I saw this frozen bag called Beans so Green at Trader Joe's (I practically live in that place!) and couldn't resist the temptation.

It has String Beans, Romanescu, Cauliflower, Broccoli and Peas in a light Butter Garlic sauce. Let me tell you - it is super yummy plus not that high in sodium (my nemesis) and in fat (my nemesis's sidekick). Wonderful!

Bento Content:

• Beans so Green mix (180)
• Grilled skinless & boneless chicken breast (92)
• Grape Tomatoes (21)
• Black Olives (24)

Total Bento: 317 calories

Turkey Meatballs & Cauliflower Bake - 273 calorie Bento

An yet another unposted bento...

Bento Content:

• Butternut Squash Baked 'Fries' (18)
• Cauliflower Bake (86)
• Roasted Batata (100)
• Turkey Meatballs in Light Tomato Sauce (69)

Total Bento: 273 calories

Chicken & Potatoes & Israeli Couscous - 231 calorie Bento

Another unposted bento....

Bento Content:

• Roasted Chicken Breast (110)
• Herbed Roasted Potato (43)
• Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes (10)
• Israeli Couscous w/Mixed Veggies (68)

Total Bento: 231 calories

Chicken w/Red Bell Pepper & Onion - 236 calorie Bento

I have been on a Batata & Butternut Squash kick lately. Making them all kinds of ways - but I'm loving the roasting of the two. Hubbie agrees!

Bento Content:

• Chicken with Red Bell Pepper & Onion Stirfry (120)
• Roasted Batata & Butternut Squash (55)
• Sweet Lime (61)

Total Bento: 236 calories

Salmon & Asparagus & Butterbean - 243 calorie Bento

This turned out to be a pretty good combination - I love asparagus and salmon together, but adding a creamy side of Butterbeans? Gotta love the mouth feel on this!

Bento Content:

• Roasted Asparagus (45)
• Baked Salmon (125)
• Butterbeans in light Tomato Sauce (63)
• Romainne Lettuce & Grape Tomato Salad (10)

Total Bento: 243 calories

Chile Lime Chicken Sammie - 307 calorie Bento

I have a bunch of lunches that I took photos but did not post, so here we go....

Bento Content:

• Sandwich (Arnold's Multigrain Thins+Trader Joe's Chile Lime Chicken+Shredded Romaine+Red Bell Pepper+Cucumber) (261)
• Classic Mixed Veggies (22)
• Grapes & Blackberies (24)

Total Bento: 307 calories