Bento Tools - Food Picks

Bento picks are a fast way to decor your bento. They are great when you are in a rush, and still want to make a kawaii looking bento. :) There are lots of varieties out there and you will be spoilt for choice.  I love bento picks and often can't resist getting more.


I keep them in compartment boxes like this, I find it easier to pick and choose them this way.


And here's another box of picks that I've collected. Lol, yah, I think I'm collecting them, more than using them.


These are cupcake toppers and picks. Yes, you can use them for your bentos too. However, do take note that they are much bigger as compared to the food picks.


Yet another box in my collection. I've yet to use quite a lot of these picks/toppers. *hides face in shame*

You can also make your own food picks. I'm sharing some of the materials you can use below.

Washi tapes are my favourite. They are available from scrapbooking shops.


You can also use fabric and lace tapes.


These cartoon tapes make very cute picks.


These wrapping ties can be used too, just twirl them round the toothpick.


And lastly, stickers! You'll need the same sticker for the front and back, and add a dot of glue to secure the sticker on the toothpick. Alternatively, you can also cut out a piece of paper and use that as the backing instead. :)

Do note that these materials might not be totally safe to be used on food, so as a precaution, do avoid the tape/sticker from touching the food directly.

Items seen in this post:
  

Birthday Bento

So, so busy today, finally have some time to take a breather. LT insisted on helping me to make his birthday cuppies for tomorrow, but ended up spilling my eggs. -_- Good thing I stocked up on the eggs, else I'll have to run out to get more.

I made birthday bentos for LT's birthday in advance, since his birthday falls on Sunday. This is my last bento for Term 2, the boys will be on a 4 weeks break. Not too sure whether I'll be making any bentos during this break, but I hope to do some baking, and I will try to finish up a post on bento tools. :)


A piggy birthday bento for LT, who's born in the year of the pig. In the box are onigiri, grapes, blueberries, chicken karaage and broccoli (hidden behind and underneath the onigiri).


Bento for IT, same food as above. :)


Bento for LT to bring to School, in the box are strawberry jam bread, chicken karaage and grapes.


Bento for IT's recess, same food as above, except he's having peanut butter bread.


LT turns 5 on Sunday, time flies, he's still our baby at home. :)

Happy holidays to all those who are having a break too. :)

UPDATE (on 12 June 2012)

Updating this post with LT's birthday cakes. :)


LT's birthday cuppies for School, chocolate chiffon cake with ganache. The toppers were chosen by the birthday boy. :)


And Ninjago birthday cake for home, the boys always ask for sponge cake, filled with cream and strawberries for their birthday cake. It's their favourite combi. :) I had wanted to draw out the image with chocolate initially, but changed my mind last minute, decided it's way easier to just order a printed icing sheet instead. :P

Hamburglar Kitty Bento

Hamburglar Kitty for today's bento. :) Tomorrow will be my last bento for Term 2. IT has no School on Friday. And LT will be celebrating his birthday in School and at home on Friday, I'll be busy baking his cakes, so not making any bentos that day. :)


Bento for IT's recess, in the box are butter/sugar bread, grapes and miso chicken.


Bento for LT to bring to School, same food as above.


IT's bento, in the box are onigiri, miso chicken, broccoli, golden kiwis and blueberries.


LT's bento, same food as above. :)


The only Kitty I'm collecting from this series. :)


Argh, the boys abducted my Hamburglar Kitty, he's now the evil villian their ninjagos are fighting against. :P

Ronald McDonald Hello Kitty Bento

McDonald is releasing Hello Kitty plushies again, this time Kitty is decked in costumes inspired by McDonaldland characters. :) This brought back memories from 12 years ago. I remembered going to McDonalds all over the island to complete my Hello Kitty collection then, lol. :) But I forgot where I kept all of them though, probably still in boxes in my storeroom. :p This time round, I only fancy the Hamburglar Hello Kitty, so I only bought that, no intention to get the other 3. And inspired by these plushies, I made Ronald Hello Kitty today. :)


Bento for IT, in the box are baked pasta, meatballs, golden kiwis, grapes and blueberries.


Bento for LT, same food as above. Kitty's made of white bread, carrot bread and crabstick.


Baked pasta for IT's recess. :) LT had no School today.


Next up, Hamburglar Hello Kitty for tomorrow. :) And sharing the pasta recipe below. :)

BAKED PASTA RECIPE

Ingredients: 
2 servings of penne or your favourite pasta
2 servings of bolognese sauce
100g of shredded mozzarella cheese
water
salt
dried parsley flakes (optional)

bolognese sauce (around 6 servings):
1 tbsp olive oil
100 g streaky bacon, chopped
1 large onion, minced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 pack white mushrooms, diced
500 g minced beef
1 glass dry red wine
800 g canned or diced tomatoes
80 g tomato paste
400ml water
300ml milk
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried basil
salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

1. In a pan, add oil and chopped bacon, lightly brown bacon.
2. Add onions and carrots, fry for about on gentle heat, till they are soften.
3. Add minced meat, red wine and fry for a moment. Then add in the mushrooms.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients, simmer for 1 hour, season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water, around 2 minutes less that timing stated on the packaging.
6. Combine pasta with bolognese sauce, and put into oven safe dish, topped with shredded cheese.
7. Bake in pre-heated oven of 200 degrees C for 10 minutes ot till cheese is nicely melted. Sprinkle on parsley flakes.

Notes:

• What I do is to cook a big batch of the bolognese sauce, and then pack into ziplock bag and freeze in 2 servings portion.
• You can also use your favourite ready pasta sauce to cook the baked pasta.

Care Bear Bento

It's the last week of Term 2, counting down to holidays. :)

Care Bears have been on my to-do list since last year, don't ask me why I took so long, somehow it just got shove down my list, lol. :P I used to love Care Bears cartoons a lot!! :)


Good Luck Bear for LT to bring to School, in the box are strawberry jam bread, beancurd skin chicken and grapes. :) I used spinach bread for Good Luck Bear.


And Laugh-a-lot for IT's recess, same food as above, except he's having nutella bread. I used carrot bread for Laugh-a-lot. You can get the bread from Crystal Jade bakery.


This is for IT's lunch, in the box are onigiri, beancurd skin chicken, grapes, pork rolls


This is for LT, same food as above. Both rice and cheese were coloured with beet colouring.


Care Bear Stare. :)