The Ninja Baker - Japanese bento lunch boxes

British Bento, #SundaySupper

NinjaBaker — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 05:18:55 +0000

The year was 1975. Heaven’s winds had blown away the cherry blossoms of March and April in Japan. Wispy lilac wisteria waved and fragrant full-petaled roses bloomed on light May breezes. To top off the excitement of spring, Queen Elizabeth was visiting Tokyo! In her Sunday best, the white-gloved royalty planted an oak sapling as a gift from Great Britain at (the former) Emperor Hirohito’s Akasaka Palace (built in the style of Louis XIV’s Versailles.)

Queen Elizabeth planting the gift of an oak sapling in front of the
former Japanese Emperor's residence.
(The palace now serves as a guest house for visiting dignitaries.)

Stripes.com Photo

Later, a red carpet was rolled out and Queen Elizabeth gave a speech. Despite the differences in the customs and cultures of the East and the West, she focused on the similarities: Both countries are island nations with monarchies. As I recall, Queen Elizabeth emphasized understanding the feeling of isolation and being part of a dying breed of royalty. Not exactly freedom and justice for all. However, her visit cemented my fascination with princesses and castles. Great Britain is a great spot on the globe for finding such things. (The enchantment of the British Isles was further fostered with the introduction of the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare.)

Queen Elizabeth II

(Photo Credit)

So, I was over the moon when I visited London for the first time in my 20s. (At this writing I’ve made the jump over the pond six times.) Buckingham Palace, the changing of the guard, daily matinees at the theatres in the West End – I was in heaven! And, oh, my first bites of scones sent me into a happy dance.

Scones with Chocolate Chips
Click here for the recipe.

I’m sharing the joy via my British Bento starring scones filled with almond butter at today’s #SundaySupper event at Twitter. (Scroll down for the details.) The theme of this virtual chat is lunch boxes and meals to go. Our hostess is Liz Berg of That Skinny Chick Can Bake. She is one maestro in the kitchen. Her plaited Easter bread and crêpes are exquisite examples. She even makes a brownie appear gourmet!

The Ninja Baker's British Bento
Into the scones, slather almond butter. Sprinkle in a handful of blueberries.
Scoop out the middles of English cucumbers, swirl in whipped cream cheese.

A tiny bit of pickled plum crowns the cucumbers as well as the baby carrots.

Although my contribution may not exactly be the most elegant lunch-to-go, it is tasty! To assemble the Ninja Baker’s British Bento, you’ll need to make mini scones.

Mini Scones

These little gems are adapted from British celebrity chef, Mary Berry’s Baking Bible. Slightly less sweet than other scone recipes in my collection, these are perfect for tucking in lunch meats. Or enjoying with a bit of almond butter and a sprinkle of blueberries.

Ingredients:

450 g (approx. 4 cups) self-rising flour
2 rounded teaspoons baking powder
75 g (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
50 g (4 tablespoons) superfine sugar
2 large eggs
Approx. 225 ml (or slightly less than 1 cup) milk

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius/428 degrees Fahrenheit. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. With a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix in the butter until the mixture looks like panko breadcrumbs. Add the sugar with a spatula.

Lightly beat the eggs in a 4-cup measuring cup. Pour in the milk until the 1-cup mark is reached.

Add the egg-milk to the flour-butter mixture. Combine well. The dough will be sticky. (Disposable plastic gloves are helpful.) Turn it out onto a floured board. Flatten with your hands or floured rolling pin to 1 to 2 cm (½ to ¾ inches.)

Using 1½ inch biscuit cutters (3.8 cm) dipped in flour, cut out mini scones. Place on the prepared baking sheets. Gather the scraps and repeat the rolling, cutting process.

Bake the mini scones for 9 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Here are a few more yummy bento lunch box ideas:

Sandwiches, Wraps and Entrees:

Baked Ham and Cheese Rolls from Big Bear's Wife
Balsamic Butter Beans with Smoked Sausage and Spinach from Eat, Move, Shine
British Bento Lunch Box from Ninja Baking
Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread "Sushi" from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Greek-style Spinach Hand Pies from Kimchi MOM
Homemade Uncrustables from Treats & Trinkets
Indian Spiced Chicken Meatball Wraps from Soni's Food
Madam Wong's Pizza Rolls from Food Lust People Love
Malibu Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels from Home Cooking Memories
Peanut Butter & Jelly Rolls from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Pizzadillas from La Cocina de Leslie
Popcorn Chicken Bento from The Urban Mrs
Potato Mushroom and Cheese Focaccia from Family Foodie
Sausage Roll Ups from The Food Army Wife
Scotch Eggs from My Cute Bride
Stawberry and Chicken Pasta Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette from Table for Seven
Turkey, Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Wraps from La Bella Vita Cucina

Munchies, Salads and Sides:

Almond Citrus Salad from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
Banana Bread Muffins from Curious Cuisiniere
Best Basic Hummus from Supper for a Steal
Blueberries & Cream Granola from The Messy Baker
Blueberry Egg Bagels from What Smells So Good?
Cheese Cracker Recipe from Growing Up Gabel
Creamy Orzo & Peas {Dairyfree} from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Mini Griddle Cakes from Noshing with the Nolands
Quinoa and Green Bean Salad with Tibetan Dressing from Healthy. Delicious.

Sweet Treats:

Biscoff White Chocolate Blondies from Cookin' Mimi
Caramel and Rolo Rice Krispie Treats from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Cinnamon Zucchini Brownies from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Cocoa Crispy Sunbutter Bars from Alida's Kitchen
Cookie Butter Granola Bites from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
"Free" Brownies from Jane's Adventure in Dinner
Honey Oat Bars from Magnolia Days
No Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies from Pies and Plots
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Cookies from Peanut Butter and Peppers

And remember that we have a #SundaySupper chat at 7 PM each on Sunday evening. We tweet throughout the day using the hashtag #SundaySupper, then we all gather to share ideas, recipes and answer questions from 7-8 PM ET. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest Board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? You can sign up here: Sunday Supper Movement

Wishing you royal amusements.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

Japanese bento lunch boxes

British scones

#SundaySupper

Immaculate Baking Japanese Bento Boxes

NinjaBaker — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 06:40:38 +0000

Love translates to food in so many languages. Meals are made with much care around the world. Yet – unwittingly – some people may be serving dishes that are making their loved ones sick. According to movies like this one found at YouTube: The culprits in many cases are products made with GMOs (genetically modified organisms.) Unfortunately, the American food supply has been flooded with GMOs (corn, wheat, soy and sugar products), while other countries seem to be much more concerned about the health of their people and have banned GMOs. (Japan is one of them.)

Takako-san (left) and Rika-san (right) prepare for a meal with care
and attention to every detail. (I took a lot of notes!)

It's gotten so bad in the U.S. that corrupt politicians in congress anonymously inserted into a recent spending package a law that now protects the chemical company that makes GMOs from being sued by their victims, even if the victims can prove in court that the company's products are unsafe! This is the same chemical company that told us their previous products were safe: DTD, PCBs, and Agent Orange, all of which turned out to be incredibly unsafe!

The passage of the law to protect the chemical company from being sued was so outrageous that on May 25, there were large protests in the streets of 52 countries and 436 cities. My husband attended one of the two protests in Los Angeles and saw this speech by bestselling (A Return to Love) author Marianne Williamson.

Instead of marching in the streets, I marched into my kitchen determined to support companies like Immaculate Baking by purchasing their non-GMO products. (Complete transparency: The $1 off coupons I received from the company do not influence my opinion. I use their products whether their coupons are in my pocket or not.) Supporting a company like Immaculate Baking, by the way, is no big hardship. Especially when aromas of heady cinnamon and butter flood my kitchen from Immaculate Baking's cinnamon rolls, scones and flaky biscuits.

Caring for our families and ourselves so that we reap the blessings of longevity can start with serving organic and non-GMO products. But fun is also an essential part of good living. So, this Ninja Baker created 3 kid-friendly Immaculate Baking Japanese bento lunch box-making projects.

Butterfly Bento Box:
In Japan, the butterfly is a symbol of joy and longevity.

What you’ll need:
• Immaculate Baking Crescent Rolls
• Chocolate Bar
• Immaculate Baking Vanilla Sugar Organic Cookie Dough
• Chocolate Frosting
• Organic Pink Jelly Beans

Directions:
1. Bake crescent rolls according to package directions. If desired, place a square of chocolate before rolling up the crescents.
2. Break off bits of cookie dough to create the body and antennas of the butterfly.
Bake until golden brown.
3. Once the rolls and cookies are cooled, assemble, frost and place on a bed of organic pink jelly beans.

Turtle Bento Box:
The turtle is a magical, wise creature and a protector of longevity in Japanese folklore.

What you’ll need:
• Immaculate Baking Blueberry Scones
• Organic Blue (for the Sea) Jelly Beans

Directions:
1. Remove blueberry scones from the package as directed and place 6 on a cookie sheet. With the 2 remaining scones, pinch off bits of dough to make the head and feet of the turtle.
2. Baking according to package instructions.
3. Place in a sea of organic blueberry jelly beans.

Rabbit Bento Box:
Japanese legend says rabbits inhabit the moon where they pound rice – the sustainer of life.

What you’ll need:
• Immaculate Baking Buttermilk Biscuits
• Strawberry, Vanilla and Chocolate Frosting
• Fresh Carrots

Directions:
1. Bake the biscuits according to package instructions.
2. Cut 4 of the biscuits in half to create bunny ears.
3. Pipe the frosting onto the remaining 4 biscuits to make bunny faces.
4. Garnish with fresh carrots.

Wishing you a long life blessed with health and fun.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

Japanese bento lunch boxes

Immaculate Baking

kid-friendly projects

Japanese Veggie Sandwich's Sweet Substitute, #Improv Challenge

NinjaBaker — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:32:25 +0000

Sticky white Japanese rice dressed up with a variety of food fashions take center stage in many bento lunch boxes. But sandwiches are also major players. Such as the veggie “sando” sandwich. A luscious tomato, lettuce, cucumber and mayo concoction squeezed into two slices of thin white bread. (No crusts allowed!)

Japanese veggie sando in a Hello Kitty bento box

Sometimes, husbands and children will balk at such a sandwich. (“Salad in a sandwich?”)

Salad in a sandwich.
Japanese cucumbers, thinly sliced tomatoes, lettuce and
mayo squeezed in between white bread. Salt to taste.

Well, this Ninja Baker can help you sneak veggies into your beloved's bread. “Tasty!” is the only comment I received upon serving up my carrot bread.

Carrot bread is the star in this bento box.
Fresh carrots, pineapple and a mini scoop of butter play friendly co-stars.

The inspiration for my concoction came from Kristen of Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker. (Her site may be experiencing a temporary technological challenge. But check back and see her roster of recipes that includes some great gluten-free treats.) To visit her Facebook page, click here. Kristen’s challenge to fellow food bloggers this month was to create a dish or dessert using carrots and peas.

I was stumped. Until I stumbled upon the following recipe which I adapted for the challenge. As cinnamony, carroty, brown sugary smells circled my kitchen, my hope for the bread increased. And at first bite into the soft, moist walnut studded treat, I tasted success. Yea!

Carrot Bread (with shhh - a purée of peas)

Carrot Bread
Adapted from Food.com

Ingredients:

½ cup purée of split peas
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cups brown sugar, firmly packed
3 eggs
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup canned, crushed pineapple in juice, drained
½ cup raisins
1 cup finely shredded carrot
¼ cup organic Sucanat sugar
8 teaspoons of Demerara sugar to sprinkle on the loaves

Method:

Wash peas and soak in water for five hours or more.
Drain any excess water (if there is any.)
Blend the peas in a blender on high speed until fairly smooth.
(Make sure the blender lid is securely on.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour four 3” x 6” mini-loaf pans. Set aside.
In one large bowl, sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil and 1 ½ cups of brown sugar.
Next, whisk in the eggs one at a time.
Stir the liquid mixture into the flour; mix well.
Add in the walnuts, pineapple, raisins, shredded carrots, peas purée and ¼ cup of organic Sucanat sugar.
Fill four 3” x 6” mini pans with batter.
Sprinkle two teaspoons of Demerara sugar atop each. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

Love to read about your favorite ways of sneaking veggies into your family’s meals in the comments section. Please do also see the slew of carrots and peas creations from some mighty clever food bloggers.

Wishing you big win’s in life’s challenges.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

Japanese vegetable sandwiches

carrot bread

Japanese bento lunch boxes

#ImprovChallenge