Tuesday, September 28, 2010

California Roll Bento


California Roll Bento, originally uploaded by sherimiya ♥.
Today's temperature exceeded 90F again, and I think MisterMan might welcome a cooling bento. I made that kids' favorite: California roll. Instead of crab salad I used krab stick so I wouldn't need mayonnaise. I also used cucumber, avocado, and green onion. I made a reverse roll and sprinkled sesame seeds on the outside before flipping and rolling in cling wrap. It's easier to cut if you leave the roll wrapped in plastic and cut through the plastic wrap before unwrapping. I packed the sushi in plastic wrap to prevent drying out and also to prevent the rice from sticking to the container. I topped with pink and purple carrot skewer, as well as yellow carrot flowers. Other section has steamed broccoli, a jack o'lantern carved tangerine, some mango plum slices and some red jelly bellies. Just kidding! They're tiny grape tomatoes. Aren't they cute? We're supposed to get a bit of cooling tomorrow, so that'll be a nice relief. Our late heatwave is making up for the "summer that never was" here in the Bay Area! ^_^

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22 comments:

  1. Gorgeous cali rolls, wish mine would look half as nice! Heehee, that's the cutest pumpkin ever! :)

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  2. Wow.. is that made with brown rice? Looks great.. but only 1 layer of sushi?? I'd need about 4. lol. I love that cutie little jack o lantern.
    What up with the heat wave? Well, better than freezing weather I guess. : )

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  3. Oh boy! You've started your "Jack" series! Yay!

    Good idea to pack a cool lunch. (pun intended)

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  4. My daughter would love this! I was thinking about making an inside out sushi roll. Thanks for the tip! I've seen the tiny tomatoes lately. They are cute! It adds just the right punch of color! I need to stop by here more often for all your great ideas!

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  5. Started the Halloween theme already? Coudn't wait to see more ... I know you have tons of idea already. Perfect reverse California rolls! And not to mention tiny grape tomatoes, perfect in bento too (^.^)

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  6. very good california rolls
    mine would not be this pretty...hahahhaa..should do some more practices..

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  7. Thanks Susan!
    Chantale, it's a whole roll cut into 4 pieces; I sure hope it's enough! Thanks :D
    Thanks Debra, Lyndsey, Lia, and Yenny! Really appreciate your sweet comments :)

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  8. Wow! This looks so yummy! If MisterMan doesn't want this lunch, I'll eat it!

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  9. you always make bentos looks so yummy and full of nutrition...
    and what a cute idea to carve a jack o'lantern from tangerine peels :)

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  10. oh very nice halloween-theme! ^^ And I love these cute little tomatoes!

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  11. The jack o'lantern is so cute ^^
    Can't you send some of the warmth here? It's only around 55°F today (and 43 at the moment).

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  12. I'm french (i'm sorry i don't speak very well english!) Always love to see your new bentos! The little pumpkin is so cute!

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  13. I love the crafted pumpkin orange so much!

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  14. Wouldn't be bad to get some of your heat too ;). (and could you pack that same bento, please? :P)
    So good looking Cali roll!!! Does it keep moist packed with the cling film?? I get so sad when my sushi gets dry ..
    Loved the mini plum tomatoes!!!! And the Jack o´lantern :)

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  15. I love the jack o lantern! So clever way of using the orange skin and the little "star" nose is so cute. I think I may want to make these sushi too for our road trip this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration! :D

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  16. yummy healthy-version cali roll! love the jack-o-rine, pretty multi-hued carrots, and adorable mini-mini tomatoes, too!

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  17. Vibrant and really gorgeous! the autumnal jack o lantern and tumble of baby tomatoes add such a lovely contrast to the cooling sushi rolls...

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  18. so cute! How do you make the clementine face?

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  19. Do you use a sushi rolling mat to make the california rolls? I need to try that out. Love the litle jelly bellies, I mean tomatoes. Super kawaii!

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  20. Thanks for all your interest in California rolls, bento friends! I didn't realize so many people cared about them so much. Funny aside: when my boy came home he said : "They were good mom, but um.. (in a soft voice) the nori is supposed to be on the OUTSIDE, you know."
    karaimame, he said it was dry :( so I guess my plastic wrap didn't do the trick. Maybe inverse roll dries out quicker?
    Michelle, I did use a mat to roll the sushi, but as Maki says in Just Bento, you can also use a damp towel.

    And the jack o'lantern: I pressed into the peel with my metal gourd-shaped cutter, and peeled away the rest of the rind, leaving the gourd in place. Then I used a tiny paring knife to simply carve out the eyes and smile. It is my first jack of the season, so I didn't attempt any teeth this time. You'll need to cut a bigger smile if you want to add teeth.

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