Monday, April 11, 2011

Kalua Pork and Cabbage Bento

Kalua pork and cabbage makes up this bento. So glad I made this for the beginning of the week so that it takes care of a few meals during that slow Monday period. I also grabbed the trusty round bento to make sure everything looks good automatically. Besides the kalua pork and cabbage in one section, he gets steamed broccoli, peapods, and carrots, and an assortment of fruit (mini mandarin, giant strawberry and a few blackberries. I also added a sakura-shaped satsumaimo for the middle. That's it. You're interested in the kalua pork?

Here's how to make it: Get a piece of pork shoulder, around 3-4 pounds, poke it with the tip of a sharp knife all over, rub with 1 teaspoon of Hawaiian salt and 1.5 teaspoon of liquid smoke. Place in slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 16 hours. You might turn it at some point during cooking if you get a chance. Towards the end of cooking it'll be very tender and start to fall apart. And it'll smell realllly realllly good. Steam some cabbage and quick fry it up with some pork and drippings, and you have a delicious meal!
Posted by Happy Little Bento at 8:42 PM
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12 comments:

  1. Susan YuenApril 11, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Yummy kalua pork! The slow cooker is a fantastic and easy way to make it! Beautiful bento. :)

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  2. sophiaApril 11, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Interesting about the pork, and how little flavorings you used besides the Hawaiian salt. I am usually a heavy spice and seasonings user, so I'm intrigued by the pure porkiness of this dish (if that makes sense, haha). :-)

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  3. Happy Little BentoApril 11, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Thanks Susan! I love the slow-cooker for convenience :)
    sophia, it's true this pork is pure porkiness. It's meant to suggest the smoky flavor or real kalua pig and nothing but salt and its own fat to provide the flavor. It's quite delicious for a change; hope you can try it :)

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  4. DebraApril 11, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Long ago when I made kalua pig, I did the same, Hawaiian salt and liquid smoke. Simple with sensational results. Kalua pig and cabbage are ideal bento fillers. Nice choice of fresh fruit to offset the savory pork.

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  5. BoboApril 11, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    The round bento sure looks practical, seperate the food evenly. A dish on its own section.

    Kalua pork sounds easy enough to cook, i will give a try.

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  6. Happy Little BentoApril 11, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    Thanks a lot Debra and Bobo; it is easy! Hope you can try it.

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  7. Shaz @ feedingmykidsbetterApril 12, 2011 at 5:52 AM

    That really looks awesome. Sounds like an easy recipe. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. meganApril 12, 2011 at 6:15 AM

    perfectly delicious bento in the MRB... so nice to incorporate slow-home-cooked goodness into school meals, must make MM feel so loved :-)

    just one tiny flower adddition and this is "automatically" (as you said) a beautiful presentation -- also has to do with the bright natural colors of the nutritious foods you choose!

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  9. UnknownApril 12, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Drooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool....

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  10. GrapegoddessApril 12, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Ok, I am Hungry now! Looks healthy and flavorful!

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  11. karaimameApril 12, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    omigosh, i join Chantale and drool too. Amazing & mouthwatering...

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  12. Mrs. PApril 12, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    oooh kalua pork!! I just picked up liquid smoke but have yet to make it. I was lucky enough to buy them for fundraisers! You know what's good with leftover kalua pork? Kalua pork quesadillas!!!! mmMMMmmm!!

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