Bento # 1 - 6

Decided to prepare some bento boxes for Master Prince in an effort to get him to eat better, especially since now he is going to school and not bringing any money for recess. Also this way, I can monitor and ensure that he is not stuffing himself silly on junk food. I suppose all parents are always concerned when their kids do not eat properly or eat too slow or genetically are just skinny! I also hope that he will eat a proper breakfast so that he can start the day right and have enough energy to run around like all kids do, not forgetting studies too.

‘Bento’ is a Japanese term for lunch box. Traditionally, mothers in Japan would spend a lot of time and effort to decorate and make pretty a bento box for their child as a sign of their love. I can understand since more complicated bentos can take a lot of time and effort to prepare.

If you have dine in a Japanese restaurant, you would be aware that a bento box can be quite elaborate. Erm, I’m no expert and not sure whether I’m creative enough to churn out pretty bento boxes. So I think I’ll be keeping mine pretty simple. Whatever that works as long as Master Prince is happy and eats his food.

I am eagerly waiting for Daiso to open at The Curve (since the variety available at 100yen shop is quite bare) so that I can stock up on some accessories to make the food look more attractive in an attempt to get Master Prince interested in his food and thus hopefully, get him to eat better, more and (fingers crossed) faster.

Master Prince is a slow eater. He has been like that since he was a baby, taking forever to drink his milk – sometimes 1.5 hours!!! At home we call him the 'connoisseur' because he really savours, chews and eats his food for the longest times, I mean he even chews diluted porridge which we would normally just slurp up and swallow. Maybe he’s just born into a family that eats really fast, don’t chew and swallow???? Anyway, during mealtimes especially dinner we would lull to a tired recorder to ask him to chew and eat faster!

Yes he really tests our patience on this aspect, all the time! We get really amazed when he finishes his food before any of us – which happens, rarely but it does happen.

Anyway, back to the post before I amend this to a rant. I plan to make snack bento boxes for Master Prince and if I have time, some meal bentos and of course, just in case DH gets jealous or thinks I’m ignoring him, I’ll also make bentos for him.

So while I stock slowly on accessories, I suppose there is no harm getting my itchy hands warmed up and started!! :)

Bento #1

Got this box a long time ago....now finally make its first debut.

Lunch bento comprising - teddy bear and star shaped fried rice with crabstick, cucumber, tomato using roti canai and lettuce as baran (aka separator/divider). I asked MP can u see a bear and star? He said 'No'! Okay, need to try better.

Threw in a slice of tiramisu for dessert! ;)

Bento #2

Lunch bento - Since Master Prince is still coughing, opted for a simple bread dinner comprising of chocolate pin wheels, kiwi, grapes and a biscuit for dessert.

Bento #3

Breakfast - Chocolate sandwich, Honeystars and choc chip cookies. Since I didn't have a baran, I used recycled paper to write a 'special' message to Master Prince. ;) He really liked the suprise love message. Wrapped it in cling wrap just in case the paper is dirty!

Bento #4

Dinner bento - Face shaped rice (the expression and hair are all hand cut, that's why so rustic Ha ha. Middle bear is rice mixed with furikake toppings), chinese sausage, fried egg, potatoes, cucumber, tomato and lettuce.

Bento #5

This is the original breakfast cum snack bento I made for Master Prince - winnie the pooh imprinted mini sandwich bread, panda cookies (commercially bought), grapes and a milo drink.



Decided to add in some 'octopus' looking sausages. For easier eating and since I didn't own any fancy picks (yet), I used slim straws from Vitagen, cut to desired shapes and poke them into tops of the sausage (not shown here).
Only difference between the 2 boxes is the grapes and a serving of fruit-loops cereal. Its a no brainer which one Master Prince preferred!! Ha ha

Bento #6

Breakfast bento for DH - Bacon and egg sandwiches, kiwi and some grapes. Wanted to cut the sandwiches into half but DH said "No". Suppose, not macho enough?

Kugelhopf or gugelhopf?

I've actually been saving this post for a while now. I thought the bread looked very festive and was waiting until December (today) before posting it. I mean a sweet bread filled with nuts, spices and rum soaked fruits, they all remind me of something special and to celebrate about. Even more decorated with poinsettia!! Ha ha, yes was in the 'Christmas Mood' very early in November but been holding back.

Funny about timing. After baking this, a few weeks later I noticed that there was a round-up by TWD (Tuesdays with Dorie) on this same bake. I wished I had waited as prior to this, I was searching around the Internet for a recipe for kugelhopf. Anyway, I finally decided to try a recipe by Avner Laskin which requires an overnight sponge.

I'll update the post later with the recipe.

I had to ransack M's cupboard for the bunt cake tin as I couldn't remember where she had kept it. Glad I lugged this Nordic bakeware all the way from the States a few years back.

So what are your plans for Christmas? I haven't been out to the shops much except over the weekend to the bookstore. The shops are fully decorated, cheerful & catchy Christmas music blarring and with pre-christmas specials to tempt even the most shrew pockets, even in the current financial gloom! Perhaps its a time to remind ourselves that Christmas is not all about presents and buying stuff and more stuff that we don't really need, but a time to spend with family and be thankful that we have our health and each other. Of course not forgetting that Jesus, son of God, was born in this month.

Whilst gifts does not take centre stage in my family (as they do not celebrate christmas except me), I've nevertheless been giving this some thought - something personal and of course homemade. Ha ha, I haven't finalize the details yet. Even though homemade gifts are not as 'fancy' or 'beautifully wrapped' (I'm not really good at wrapping gifts) compared to those available commercial but I think its the thought behind the gift that matters most, perhaps I am just old fashioned??

Unfortunately, with youngsters its all about gadgets and electronics!! Hopefully I can get Master Price to make something personal?