My bento # 1 - Edo Bento

Hello hello this is my Edo bento #1 on May 25, 2012.

This wooden bento box called Edo which I bought it from bento specialist "Bentoandco". Company website:  http://www.en.bentoandco.com/

This genuine wooden box is beautifully crafted, made of the wood from harigiri (kaloponax) tree called "zen" in Japan. It is handmade by a skilled artisan in Aizu, Fukushima prefecture where is well known of its skilled wood crafters.

The content in the Edo bento boxes are :

~ Rice with white and black sesame seeds
~ Cherry tomatoes
~ Stir fried broccoli with garlic

~ Bacon and long green bean rolls
~ Stir fried Polish and Continental sausages with cucumber
~ Tamagoyaki (Japanese egg rolls)
~ Pan fried salmon

My Bento Gear 我的便當工具 (II)

Baran ~ it is a small piece of plastic or silicon which is placed in a bento box to keep certain food seperate from each other and add some colourful elements. 這些 Baran 通常是用來作食物間之間隔, 或將便當帶來色彩, 質地是薄膠片或矽膠.

The kawai baran on left hand side called "Animal Baran" which have 4 little animals : pigs, monkey, panda and bear with a smiling faces. 放在左面的可愛 baran 叫 "動物 Baran", 由4隻微笑的豬仔、馬騮仔、熊貓仔和熊人仔笑住組成.

The green baran on right hand side called " Lettuce & Leaf" which allows me to add a touch of different degree of fresh green colour to bento box. 放在右面綠油油的 baran 叫 "生菜樹葉 Baran", 我可以放這些不同程度的綠色落便當盒中, 增加清新氣色.

Winna Meijin ~ Japanese "Winna Meijin" means "Race Winner". It is a set of food cutters for sausages in 2 rabbits or 2 tortoises shape. 日文 "Winna Meijin" 即是 "比賽冠軍". 這是一套4隻形狀不同的兔子和烏龜的香腸專用的膠 cutters.



ABC Cutters ~ It is a set of "26 Letters" and a "Star" and a "&" sign food cutters. It assists to write cute and funny messages on bento or cake. It can cut cheese slices, ham, steamed carrot and cucumber slices. 這套 "ABC Cutters" 由 26 個英文大楷字母、1個星星和1個&符號所組成. 它們可以用來寫得意有趣的信息於便當中或蛋糕上. 它們可以用來切芝士片、火腿、熟紅蘿蔔片及青瓜片等.

Nico Nico Panchi ~ It is a popular nori seaweed cutters in Japanese bento world. It consists of 3 different style smiling faces. It used a lot in making cutie bento. 這是一套3款不同哈哈笑造型的紫菜 cutters, 它們通常在日本用來作趣緻便當裝飾.

These are my bento boxes in different shape and volume. Aren't they beautiful? 這些就是我的便當盒, 它們各有不同的形狀和容量. 它們是否很漂亮呢?

I can bring my bento box outside by using the beautiful Japanese Furoshiki (wraping cloth)/ bento bag!! 用了風呂敷/便當袋就可以帶着便當出街了!!

My Bento Gear 我的便當工具 (I) - Picks 得意膠籤

Look! Aren't them cute,  kawaii and interesting? These picks are commonly used for Japanese Bento. Picks are one of the practical tools for skewering food like meatballs, cherry tomatoes and mini sausages, fruits etc. Picks can make things easier to eat and these colourful cutie picks are good for decorating the bento box!!

你看看: 這些膠籤是否很可愛、得意和有趣呢? 這些膠籤通常都會出現在日本的便當中. 這些膠籤不但趣緻, 而且更有實際的用途, 例如可以做各類型肉串, 或义住車厘茄、迷你香腸、水果等. 此外, 膠籤還可以令人容易义着食物來吃, 又可為便當裝飾, 加點色彩加點趣味, 食都食得開心些!!

Picks Tomodachi ~
This is a set of 8 animal shape picks. The name "Tomodachi" means "friends" in Japanese. These smilingly friends are Bear, Sheep, Lion, Hippo, Cat, Kaola Bear, Monkey and Elephant. I love these picks a lot because its name Tomodachi reminds me of having great meals with buddies: lots of smiles and lots of fun there!!

友達(朋友)膠籤 ~
一套8支動物型狀的膠籤. 顧名思義, 日文"友達"即是中文的"朋友"的意思. 這羣笑面迎迎的動物朋友有熊人仔、小綿羊、獅子仔、河馬仔、小貓咪、小樹熊、馬騮仔和大笨象. 我很喜歡這套友達膠籤, 它能使我想起能跟朋友們一起吃飯一起歡笑的歡樂時光!!

Picks Animals ~
This is 2 sets of 4 animal shaped mini forks. These animals are Rabbits, Bears, Dogs and Cats. They all have smiling faces and their colour are eye-catching. I love animal so much, how can I miss it!! :-D

動物膠籤 ~
一套兩組4支動物型狀的迷你膠义. 這裏有兔仔、熊人仔、小狗狗和小貓咪4款可愛動物造型. 牠們全部都笑面迎人、顏色鮮艷, 喜歡動物的我又怎能錯過呢!! :-D

Picks Ducks ~
There are 2 Ducks families: 2 Duck Papa with black hats, 2 Duck Mama with pink hats, 3 yellow Duck Kids and 3 Duck Babies with shell on. I like these picks very much beacuse I can bring the whole duck family with my bento to work. Funny to see, isn't it?

鴨子膠籤 ~
這裏有兩個鴨子家庭: 有頭戴黑帽的鴨爸爸、有頭戴粉紅帽的鴨媽媽、有黃色身體的鴨弟弟和身體有殻的鴨BB. 試想像, 帶唒成個鴨仔家庭落便當中, 望落是幾得意呢!

Picks Honey & Flowers ~
This is a set of Spring feeling picks. There are 2 busy bees, 2 red ladybirds, 2 clovers and 2 white flowers. These picks given the freshness and bring more green colours in the bento box. They are all in good quality plastic.

蜜蜂花花膠籤 ~
這是一套充滿春日色彩的膠籤. 這套內有2支小蜜蜂、2支小甲蟲、2支四葉草和2朵小白花花. 這些膠籤品質很好, 可以令整個便當帶來更多清新氣息!!

Picks Panda ~
This is 2 sets of 4 smiling panda picks. These little pandas are all doing funny motions: one is standing in one hand, one is sitting and thinking, one is lying and smiling and one is standing on one foot. Very cute indeed!!

熊貓膠籤 ~
這是一套兩組熊貓哈哈笑的膠籤. 這些小熊貓表情多多: 有玩側手番的, 有坐著思考的, 有側臥笑着的和有單腳站立的, 牠們真是生動活潑!!

Picks Usagi ~
This is 2 sets of 4 funny rabbits picks. Japanese "Usagi" means "Rabbits". I love rabbits and these rabbits picks are kawaii very much. Similar as the Picks Panda, these rabbits are full of motions: one is playing, one is sleeping, one is holding a big strawberry and one is winking with someone.

兔子膠籤 ~
這是一套兩組生動的兔子膠籤. 日文"Usagi" 即是中文 "兔子" 的意思. 我很喜歡這些別緻生鬼的小兔造型. 牠們跟熊貓膠籤一樣充滿動感: 有正在遊戲中的、有甜睡中的、有手拿著士多啤梨的和有跟人眨眼晴的.

Picks Vegetables ~
These vegetables picks are really attractive and cute. There are 2 Tomatoes, 3 Lemons, 3 Snow Peas and 2 Carrots. They are long enough and good at skewering fruits like pineapples, oranges and strawberries in bento box. 

蔬果膠籤 ~
這些蔬果膠籤外型非常吸引討好. 有2個番茄、3個檸檬、3條碗豆和2個紅蘿蔔. 膠籤的長度足夠用來作生果串如菠蘿、鮮橙、士多啤梨等於便當中.

Couque D'asses langue de chat cookies & maccha chocolate

I am happy to found this box of green tea & chocolate cookies by surprise!  It is imported from Japan and it is a limited edition 期間限定宇治抹茶使用. It is not expensive, it costs at HK$22.

It has 14 pieces in the box. There is an air-tight individual packing for each cookies which is good to keep its freshness and taste.

There is a green tea smell when I opened the package bag. Cookies are in rectangular shape and not too thick. The texture is very chrispy and the taste is a bit sweeten than I expect.  It is good and fresh to eat this green tea and chocolate cookies with a glass of lime soda!!  :-)

鮮冬菇雞肶麵 Chicken Thigh with Shiitake Mushroom Noodles

材料:

雞肶1隻
鮮冬菇4隻
四季豆12條
葱1條
拉麵1個

湯:

水600毫升
烹大師海鮮素 1 1/2茶匙
Mizkan濃縮鏗魚汁2湯匙

醃料:

醬油1湯匙
雞粉少許
胡椒粉少許

做法:

1. 先醃雞肶20分鐘, 然後開大火隔水蒸20分鐘至全熟, 待用
2. 鮮冬菇洗淨, 瀝水, 待用
3. 四季豆洗淨, 切半, 待用
4. 葱洗淨後用葱絲刀切成葱絲, 待用
5. 湯煲滾後, 放入鮮冬菇及四季豆煮3分鐘, 撈起, 待用
6. 將拉麵放入湯內煮3分鐘, 撈起並放入碗中
7. 將雞肶、鮮冬菇、四季豆及葱放上麵上, 加入熱湯, 即成

Ingredients:

1 pc Chicken thigh
4 pcs Shitake mushroom
12 pcs French peas
1 stalk Green onion
1 pc Ramen noodles

Soup:

600ml Water
1 1/2 teaspoon Hondashi
2 tablespoon Mizkan Katsuo Tsuyu

Marinade:

1 tablespoon Soy sauce
A pinch of Chicken powder
A pinch of Ground white pepper

Method:

1. Marinade the chicken thigh for 20 minutes. Then steam over high heat for 20 minutes until done. Set aside.
2. Remove the stem. Rinse and drain the shitake mushroom. Set aside.
3. Rinse the French peas then cut into half. Set aside.
4. Use a green onion slicer to shred the green onion. Set aside.
5. Bring the soup to boil, add shitake mushroom and French peas into the pot and cook for 3 minutes. Take them out and set aside.
6. Cook ramen noodles into the soup for 3 minutes. Then transfer it to the bowl.
7. Put the chicken thigh, shitake mushroom, French peas and green onion on the top of ramen noodles. Add with hot soup then serve.

烹大師海鮮素 Hondashi

Mizkan濃縮鏗魚汁 Mizkan Katsuo Tsuyu

葱絲刀 Green onion slicer

豆板醬炒茄子 Stir-fried Eggplant in Toban Sauce

材料:

茄子(細) 2條
免治豬肉150克
韮菜100克
紅辣椒絲2隻
蒜茸1湯匙
麻油

醬汁:

豆板醬 1 1/2湯匙
蠔油 1湯匙
醬油 1湯匙
黃糖 1湯匙
清酒 2湯匙

做法:

1. 茄子切開4段, 每段對開切半, 再切成粗條
2. 開大火, 水滾後隔水蒸茄子5分鐘, 待用
3. 韮菜切段, 待用
4. 紅辣椒切幼片, 待用
5. 燒熱1湯匙麻油, 爆香豬肉至全熟
6. 加入蒜茸、茄子、韮菜、紅辣椒及醬汁炒匀約2分鐘, 即成

Ingredients:

2 pcs Eggplant (small)
150 gram Minced pork
100 gram Leek
2 pcs Red chilli pepper slices
1 tablespoon Minced garlic
Sesame oil

Sauce:

1 1/2 tablespoon Toban sauce
1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
1 tablespoon Soy sauce
1 tablespoon Brown sugar
2 tablespoon Sake

Method:

1. Cut the eggplant into 4 parts, then cut each part into half, then cut it into thick strips.
2. Steam the eggplant over high heat for 5 minutes. Set aside.
3. Cut the leek into bite sized pieces. Set aside.
4. Cut the red chilli pepper into thin pieces. Set aside.
5. Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, stir fry the pork until done.
6. Add garlic, eggplant, leek, red chilli pepper and sauce into the wok. Stir fry evenly and cook for 2 more minutes. Serve.

First try of IKEA Swedish biscuits and salmon paste

Finally I take a deep breath and buy my first Swedish biscuits " Knackebrod Flerkorn" and salmon paste "Pastej Lax" at IKEA Causeway Bay shop.

The price of the biscuits is reasonable, HK$20 per 250 gram while the price is a bit high for the salmon paste, it costs HK$29 per 150 gram.

Let me open it and have a look inside:

It looks a little bit dry, taste is blend but crispy in texture. This bicsuit is suggested to serve with the salmon paste.

It is quite funny to play with the salmon paste, it allows me to squeeze out different shapes. But its taste is quite salty, so I understand why it goes well with the biscuits. I think they are good match. I enjoy it with a bottle of my favourite Nescafe Smoovlatte.  Well well well, it is an interesting snack time!!

日式炒麵 Japanese Yakisoba Noodles

材料:

日式炒麵餅3個
日式豬肉片180克
銀芽80克
椰菜葉6片
紅蘿蔔 2/3個
京葱1條
蒜茸2湯匙
木魚碎適量
青苔碎適量

豬肉調味: 雞粉1茶匙

Yakisoba 汁:

蠔油2湯匙
醬油1茶匙
清酒1湯匙
麻油少許
胡椒粉少許

做法:

1. 豬肉片切1吋闊, 加入調味拌匀, 待用
2. 銀芽洗淨, 瀝水, 待用
3. 椰菜葉洗淨, 切成1吋長闊大小, 待用
4. 紅蘿蔔切絲, 待用
5. 京葱對角切斜段, 待用
6. 燒熱油1湯匙, 放入麵餅, 加2湯匙清酒炒至熱, 盛起, 待用
7. 燒熱油1湯匙, 將豬肉炒至熟透, 盛起, 待用
8. 將椰菜及紅蘿蔔炒至軟身, 加入蒜茸、京葱、銀芽、豬肉、麵及Yakisoba 汁快手炒匀
9. 撒上木魚碎及青苔碎上面後即成

Ingredients:

3 pcs Yakisoba noodles
180 gram Sliced pork
80 gram Bean sprouts
6 pcs Cabbage leaves
2/3 pc Carrot
1 pc Long green onion
2 tablespoon Minced garlic
Bonito flakes
Aonori green laver

Marinade for pork: 1 teaspoon Chicken powder

Yakisoba sauce:

2 tablespoon Oyster sauce
1 teaspoon Soy sauce
1 tablespoon Sake
A few drops Sesame oil
A pinch Ground white pepper

Method:

1. Cut the pork into 1" pieces, marinade then set aside.
2. Rinse and drain the bean sprouts. Set aside.
3. Rinse the cabbage, cut into strips then chop into 1" pieces. Set aside.
4. Shredded the carrot. Set aside.
5. Cut the long green onion into pieces diagonally. Set aside.
6. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil, put the noodles in a wok. Add 2 tablespoon of sake and stir fry it until hot. Then put it on a plate. Set aside.
7. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil, stir fry the pork until done. Put it on a plate. Set aside.
8. Stir fry the cabbage and carrot until they turn soft, add minced garlic, long green onion, bean sprouts, pork, noodles and Yakisoba sauce and stir them quickly and evenly.
9. Serve it on a plate and sprinkle the bonito flakes and aonori green laver on top of it.

春日壽司 Spring Sushi

材料:

珍珠飯6豌
紅蘿蔔1個
青瓜1條
蟹柳1包
鷄蛋3隻
壽司用紫菜1包

壽司飯調味:

白醋1 1/2 湯匙
雞粉1 1/2 茶匙
糖1茶匙

鷄蛋調味:

雞粉1茶匙
糖1茶匙


做法:

1. 準備壽司飯: 將剛煮熟之白飯放入大碗中, 拌匀調味, 放涼至少45分鐘, 待用
2. 紅蘿蔔切幼條, 待用
3. 青瓜切幼條, 待用
4. 鷄蛋拂匀, 加調味拌匀, 用易潔鑊慢火煎成蛋卷, 放涼, 切條, 待用
5. 用少量熱水將紅蘿蔔及蟹柳煮1分鐘,  放涼, 待用
6. 將紫菜放上壽司竹墊, 平均放上一層白飯於中間
7. 放紅蘿蔔、青瓜、鷄蛋及蟹柳於飯面上
8. 將壽司慢慢用竹墊捲好
9. 將壽司條取出, 切件約2厘米厚, 即可上碟

溫馨提示: 請預備一條濕毛巾, 每次切完就抹一抹, 這會切得容易一點, 唔會有飯粒黏在刀鋒


Ingredients:

6 cups Cooked Japanese rice
1 pc Carrot
1 pc Cucumber
1 pack Crab meat
3 pcs Eggs
1 pack Roasted laver

Seasoning for sushi rice:

1 1/2 tablespoon Vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon Chicken powder
1 teaspoon Sugar

Seasoning for eggs:

1 teaspoon Chicken powder
1 teaspoon Sugar

Method:

1. Prepare sushi rice: add freshly cooked rice in a large bowl, mix with seasoning and stir it evenly. Cool down for at least 45 minutes. Set aside.
2. Cut the carrot into strips. Set aside.
3. Cut the cucumber into strips. Set aside.
4. Whisk eggs, add seasoning and mix well. Use a non-sticky pan with low heat to form an egg roll. Cool it down then cut into strips. Set aside.
5. Use boiling water to cook the carrot and crab meat for 1 minutes. Cool down. Set aside.
6. Place a sheet of laver on the sushi bamboo mat, spread a layer of rice in the centre of it evenly.
7. Place carrot, cucumber, egg and crab meat on top of the layer of rice.
8. Use the bamboo mat and roll it up gently.
9. Remove the bamboo mat and cut the sushi roll into 2 cm thick pieces. Place them on a plate then serve.

Tips: Prepare a wet towel to wipe the knife while cutting the sushi, it will make it slice easier.

夀司竹墊 Sushi bamboo mat