Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Children's Day Bento


Children's Day Bento, originally uploaded by sherimiya ♥.
Children's Day (こどもの日, Kodomo no hi) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is part of the Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. (Wikipedia)

I don't know about you, but when I was growing up we called the 5th day of the 5th month Boys' Day and the 3rd day of the 3rd month Girls' Day (Hinamatsuri). So May 5th always makes me think of boys, kabuto, and koinobori. To celebrate this holiday I made a boy from a halved hard-boiled egg decorated with nori features and wearing a purple carrot kabuto (military helmet). The koinobori is made from the other half of the egg dyed with beet juice and cut into a fish shape with my small paring knife. I cut the scales with a straw cut lengthwise in half, and the eye with another straw. It's flying from the pole by rice sticks.

The rest of the bento has pasta tossed with my homemade arugula pesto and roasted grape tomatoes, steamed broccoli, carrots, strawberry and grapes. This cool bento box has a raised lid so the boy can look out the window with his carp to greet MisterMan at lunchtime. Happy Children's Day to all kids everywhere! ^_^

*for arugula pesto:
2-3 cups arugula alone, or mix in some basil if you like.
1/2 cup roasted hazelnuts
1-2 cloves garlic (depends how garlicky you like it)
Process, and gradually add olive oil (about 2/3 cup) to desired consistency.
Also add 2/3 cup grated parmesan, process until smooth.

I toss with pasta, or use as sandwich spread. Yum!

Bento Box on Foodista

16 comments:

  1. So cute!!! Love the little boy and carp and the food looks lovely as always. :D Happy Boys Day Mister Man!

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  2. I love thee boy and his hat!!

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  3. Thanks a lot Susan! Happy Boys' Day to Sean too!

    Beautifully, Trying: Thanks a lot!!

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  4. Oh how cute with his little hat and carp! I love it! Happy Boys day to Mister Man! Even though they have renamed it Children's Day, we call it boys day in our house lol

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  5. So cute! Your kabuto is very nice and the koinobori so perfect. We must have some sort of connection. I made the same theme and with the same picks hahaha ... :) Happy Boy's Day to MisterMan!

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  6. this little guy is really happy to fly his kyte!!

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  7. Aw, happy kodomo no hi to your son (or kids)! This is a really nice charaben. The use of red carrots as kabuto is great ^.^ And your koinobori is really cute! ;)

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  8. This is absolutely gorgeous! I considered making a carp out of a pickled sweet pepper last night, but didn't have all the ingredients I needed. Perhaps I'll be better prepared by next May!

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  9. I love the boy and his kabuto sooooo much! His purple carrot kabuto is indeed cool :D. Happy Kodomo No Hi for your kids! :D

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  10. Happy Children's Day! Very clever idea to use purple carrots for the Samurai's helmet :) I hope to find some purple carrots in our veggiebag this csa season (starting today, yay)...

    In Holland May 5th is a national holiday as well: celebrating our freedom (WWII ended in The Netherlands on May 5th 1945).

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  11. What a cute little guy! I really like his hat. :)

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  12. I love it! I like the carp streamer and the hat! And you always have such wonderful colors in your bentos!

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  13. So creative and full of fun details! I loved reading all about this special bento, sherimiya! The clever carp streamer on red sakura pick is mini-magic!! Oh, and I'd love to know more about your homemade arugula pesto--sounds lip-smacking :)

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  14. Thanks Lia, I saw that! We have the same bento wavelength. Yours is totally cute! Happy Boy's Day to Andrew!

    Mook, thanks, you're right!

    Thanks a lot Lil'chan!

    Miloko, Thanks! You can make a carp anyday, no special reason needed. Looking for yours soon :)

    tatabonita, Thanks a lot! Kodomo no hi!

    Gnoegnoe, Thank you! Happy freedom day to you too!

    Kuusou, thank you!

    Lyndsey, Thanks a lot!

    Thank you bentobird! I'll add a bit to the post about the pesto...

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  15. the pesto pasta looks soooo yummy, have never tried it with hazelnuts before and now i can't wait to do so!

    too many perfect details in this box to list - the helmet and the carp's scales are among my favorites.

    i bet this made misterman smile!

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  16. Yup, he did like this one, and so did the girls in his class! Thanks megan!

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