Thursday, February 18, 2010

Brown Bear Bento


Brown Bear Bento, originally uploaded by sherimiya ♥.
Today I made a batch of mixed rice, containing black "Forbidden" rice, brown rice and regular white rice. This combinations ends up looking kind of multihued purple and black. It's nutty and chewy, and really good -- the kids love it too! Anyway, I always think this rice makes a nice bear-colored musubi, so that's what I made.

The bear face is molded by hand using fresh, hot rice, and the facial details are made from tofu and nori. I also baked some wild Alaskan salmon with just olive oil, and then dressed it in Mauna Kea sauce, which I usually use with chicken as in this bento, but which is also good with fish.

For color I added star cut baby carrots and a grape tomato puffy heart (thanks for the idea, hapa bento!)! I also roasted some brussels sprouts and mini sweet peppers. If you crosscut the sprouts, you'll see that they open up and "bloom" during cooking. Sometimes I toss with balsamic vinegar, which saturates them all the way through and they taste fanTAStic!

Fruits include strawberry, red grapes and mini mandarin.
Rawr!

19 comments:

  1. What a cute little bear! The different colors of rice work very nicely for his fur!

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  2. Thanks Jenn! I should just rename it Brown Bear Rice, heheh :)

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  3. Your mixed rice is great to make that cute bear. Clever!! Brussels Sprouts look very nice. Lovely bento to have. Have a great weekend Sheri (^.^)

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  4. so many amazing colors in this one, and the salmon looks delectable. a truly happy bento, perfect for friday :-)

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  5. Thanks a lot Lia! Love the roasted B=sprouts :)
    Great weekend to you too!

    megan, I was happy to find these bright red strawberries today, or it would have been another dreary looking bento, I think :)
    Thanks a lot; happy Friday!!

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  6. I love it when you cross-cut your veggies. Supreme skills! Hehehe... Brown bear rice!

    I just saw the "forbidden rice" at my store. Your presentation here and in previous bentos encourages me to give it a try too. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  7. Yay crosscut! Hope you can try the Forbidden rice; I think you guys will like it!

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  8. Wow interesting black rice! :D I have to look for it in my asia-store... Super cute oBento :D

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  9. Aw, this bear looks really cute! I love to view this forbidden rice. And your salmon, Yummy!

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  10. A truly happy and darling bento, with such a scrumptious combination of flavors! LOVE this little bear and his wonderful healthy companions...rawr, indeed!! Happy Friday and weekend!

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  11. Thanks Token, Lil'chan and bentobird! The Forbidden rice is very cool. It's different from regular black rice; mine is Lotus brand. I was happy with the salmon too. A quick sear left the skin crispy too :)

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  12. YUM! You're making really hungry.

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  13. WOW! Can you make my lunches too??? = )

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  14. I love Bento box for lunch and what a great idea to make them for kids. I enjoyed your blog

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  15. this is a beautiful box. i don't know that my little guy(s) would eat this yet, but i certainly would! thanks for the inspiration!

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  16. Thanks brandi. You can always start very very small! Or make for yourself and have them share with you :)

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