Eclectic Lamb

One thing I’ve always loved is taking a single theme and seeing just how many delicious variations I can create from it. It’s a fun creative challenge, and having all of those ideas collected in one place makes it so much easier to dream up the next recipe.

That’s exactly what this collection is for. Welcome to my Penguin Collection—a roundup of all my penguin-themed food creations, from sweet treats to savory meals.

Vegetable Potato Salad, Carrot Penguins

Blue Potato and Cream Cheese Penguin

Bread Penguin

Rice and Black Bean, Carrot Penguins

Orzo with Spinach and Feta, Cracker Snack, Rainbow Carrot Penguins

Olive Pasta Mozzarella Pizza, Cucumber Penguin

Pizza Penguin

Brie Cinnamon Rice Penguin

Cheese Ball Penguin

Happy America 250!

To celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, I put together a simple patriotic breakfast. The “flag” starts with a bed of creamy cottage cheese, topped with juicy watermelon, cream cheese stripes, and mini chocolate chips for the star portion.

As I was arranging the fruit, I found myself thinking back to another milestone in our country’s history—the Bicentennial in 1976.

I was only four years old, so I don’t remember all the details. But I do remember going to a hometown parade with my family. I remember the red, white, and blue decorations everywhere, waving flags, and hearing the grown-ups talking about how special it was because the United States was celebrating its 200th birthday. Even at that young age, I could tell it wasn’t just another Fourth of July. There was an excitement in the air that made it feel different.

Now, fifty years later, we’re celebrating America 250. It’s amazing to think that the little girl watching the Bicentennial parade is now creating patriotic breakfasts and sharing them here on the blog. Time has a way of reminding us how quickly the years pass and how traditions can connect generations.

Happy Independence Day and Happy America 250!

I made this for Renae’s youngest, Elizabeth, who is graduating from High School. I was happy to make more graduation-themed food to add to my Life Events food collection. I have made X and O bagels a few times, but this was my first time making number bagels. It worked well. Elizabeth and I were both pleased with the results!

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: 2026 bagels, Diploma Head – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter (more cheese cut-outs not in photo)

Top Right: Peanuts

Bottom Right: Strawberries

I made this simple salad and polenta meal for myself. Click here for other space-themed food.

Container: Wooden box purchased in Kyoto at Bento&co.

Contents: Rocket – Homemade polenta cut with a cookie cutter, Mozzarella cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Romaine lettuce, blueberries, pistachio nuts, feta cheese, vinaigrette (not in photo)

I made this playful cactus-themed meal for myself, inspired by the fun shapes and vibrant colors of desert plants. From cute details to fresh ingredients, every part of the meal was designed to capture a whimsical cactus vibe.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left: Cactus – Homemade polenta cooled, then cut with a cookie cutter, mozzarella cheese slice cut with a cookie cutter, then oregano sprinkled on top, Spanish Garbanzo Beans

Top Right: Pistachio nuts

Bottom Right: Cactus – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, sugar snap peas

In my nearly 15 years of sharing themed food here, this is only the second time I’ve made a helicopter. This was a fun lunch I made for myself.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Top: Helicopter – Homemade polenta cooled, then cut with a cookie cutter, Spanish Garbanzo Beans

Bottom Left:  Blueberries

Bottom Right: Brazil nuts

I made this lunch at my parents’ lake house. My parents had the same meal on a plate. I wish that I took a photo of my Mom’s amazing plating. Also, the avocado boat stood out better on her white plate.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Caprese Stuffed Avocado (my Mom made the balsamic glaze, but we forgot to use it), spinach leaves

Top Right: Raspberries

Bottom Right: Citrus Quinoa Salad with Honey Walnuts (the recipe disappeared, but I would not recommend it anyway)

As a continuation of my Featured Ingredient meal series, I have Beets. As with the rest of the series, this meal was packed into an Easy Lunch Box. For dinner, however, I plated the tarts alongside the orange beets for my parents and myself (not pictured). I enjoyed the same meal again the following evening—and it was just as satisfying the second time around.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Beet and Goat Cheese Tart – I didn’t use the kefir or thyme

Top Right: Orange, Beets, honey

Bottom Right: Greek yogurt with beets

A simple meal made a little more fun. Cheddar mashed potatoes shaped into tulips, carrot butterflies, and a fresh mix of greens come together for a colorful, playful bento that’s as enjoyable to look at as it is to eat.

Container: Wooden box purchased in Kyoto at Bento&co.

Contents:

Tulips – Cheddar mashed potatoes mixed with purple sweet potato powder, pressed into a tulip rice mold

Butterflies – Carrot cut with a cookie cutter

Salad mix, snow peas, roasted cashews

I’m not totally convinced this ended up looking like Earth—but it’s interesting enough that I still wanted to share it. Happy Earth Day!

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Earth – Cheddar mashed potatoes, rolled in butterfly pea powder, cream cheese with pesto, black beans pureed with salsa and balsamic vinegar

Top Right: Roasted broccoli

Bottom Right: Greek yogurt with sprinkles

Adding a radish, cut and decorated like Charlie Brown, made this lunch a lot more fun.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Charlie Brown – Daikon radish cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker, Peanut Noodles

Top Right: Pistachio nuts

Bottom Right: Cucumber

This bird’s nest mashed potato bento lunch is a simple, comforting meal made with everyday ingredients.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Birds Nest – Cheese mashed potatoes chilled then shaped by hand, brushed with soy sauce, Eggs – Fresh Mozzarella balls sprinkled with cinnamon, mixed greens

Top Right:  Pistachio nuts

Bottom Right: Applesauce with cinnamon

This year, I have another design in my bunny Peeps look-alike collection. I made it for myself. It was attractive and delicious.

Container: Wooden box purchased in Kyoto at Bento&co.

Contents: Bunny Peeps – Polenta made with water and cornmeal, stir 1 cup cornmeal into 2 cups of water, heat at medium-low heat while stirring. When it becomes a ball and is somewhat firm, remove from the heat and spread onto a dish at the desired thickness for your cookie cutter. When cool, cut with a cookie cutter, spread with strawberry cream cheese (cream cheese mixed with powdered freeze-dried strawberries). Eyes & Nose – Dried blueberries, Bright Farms Asian Sesame Crunch Kit – crispy carrots, chow mein noodles, roasted edamame, Asian sesame dressing (in another container).

Here’s a little herd of giraffes enjoying some peanut noodles.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Giraffes – Rainbow carrot cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker, Peanut Noodles

Top Right: Maple Pepitas

Bottom Right: Cucumber

After nearly 14 years of creating cute food, I’m still finding “firsts”. Somehow, one adorable theme had never made its way into my kitchen—until now. This bento marks my very first seal-themed lunch, I can’t believe it took me this long. Even after more than a decade of making cute lunches, there are still new themes to try—and discovering them is part of the fun that keeps these little creations going.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Seal – Mozzarella cheese slice cut with a cookie cutter then rubbed with cinnamon, Eye – food coloring marker, cottage cheese potato salad

Top Right: Macadamia nuts

Bottom Right: Green apple cut with a check pattern and some squares removed with a knife

Continuing my never-ending quest to turn mashed potatoes into magical creations… here’s a unicorn!

Container: U Konserve

Contents: Unicorn – Cheddar cheese mashed potatoes slightly cooled, then cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – Dried blueberry, Horn – Carrot, Stars – Cheddar cut with a cookie cutter, then dipped in purple sweet potato powder, Butterflies – Rainbow carrot cut with a cookie cutter, Radish, cashews, spring salad mix

I made this festive shamrock-themed cheese ball.

Shamrock Cheese Ball: Softened cream cheese mixed with ranch dip dry mix, shredded Cheddar, cut with a cookie cutter then rolled in dried parsley, green bell pepper

Crackers: Wegmans Brown Rice Crackers

This space-themed meal is a continuation of my Peanut Noodles series.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Moon – Daikon radish cut with a cookie cutter, Space Ships – Rainbow carrot cut with a cookie cutter, Peanut Noodles

Top Right: Mandarin oranges

Bottom Right: Fresh mozzarella balls, cucumber

Continuing my long-standing tradition of creating and sharing lion-and-lamb–themed food at the beginning of March, I put together this playful and delicious snack board to welcome the new season.

Lion
A bright yellow bell pepper forms the lion’s mane, with hummus spread in the center for the face. Dried blueberries create the eyes and nose, and a slice of red bell pepper shapes a cheerful mouth.

Lamb
The lamb is made with a fluffy mixture of cream cheese and shredded Cheddar cheese for its woolly coat. Black olives form the head and ears, while small dots of cream cheese bring the eyes to life.

Fresh apple slices round out the plate, adding a crisp, sweet touch to this festive March tradition.

I thought it was time to create and share another theme in my Peanut Noodles series. This one is all about dinosaurs.

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Dinosaurs – Rainbow carrots cut with a cookie cutter, Peanut Noodles

Top Right: Mandarin oranges

Bottom Right:  Dinosaur Eggs – Fresh mozzarella balls dipped in purple potato powder and water, cucumber

I turned my meal into a little moment of joy by making a Snoopy-inspired cheese creation just for myself.

Glass Container with Lid

Snoopy: Sliced Mozzarella cheese cut with a cookie cutter, ground cinnamon details

Tomato Quinoa

I made this adorable snack for myself. I was inspired by this.

Penguin Cheese Ball: Softened cream cheese mixed with ranch dip dry mix, shredded Cheddar, and rolled into balls, dipped in poppy seeds, Eyes – dried blueberry, Nose – almond

Snow: Finely shredded cheese

Crackers: Wegmans Brown Rice Crackers

I made this heart-themed lunch to brighten up an in-office workday.

Container: U Konserve

Contents: Heart Rice – Used a rice mold to shape hot cooked Nishiki rice, strawberry juice on top (from a frozen strawberry thawed in a microwave for a few seconds) Hearts – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, cherry tomatoes, Starbursts Conversation Hearts, Romaine lettuce

I made this cute snowman cheese ball snack for myself.

Snowflakes: Carrot and cucumber cut with a cookie cutter

Snowmen Crackers: Townhouse Snowmen

Snowman Cheese Ball: Softened cream cheese mixed with ranch dip dry mix, shredded Cheddar, and rolled into balls, Hat – cucumber, Arms and Nose – carrot, Eyes and Buttons – dried blueberry

Snow: Finely shredded cheese

Happy Groundhog Day! I made this fun and delicious meal for myself. Go here to see my collection of groundhog themed meals.

Glass Container with Lid

Groundhog: Sliced Mozzarella cheese cut with a cookie cutter, then rubbed with ground cinnamon

Tomato Quinoa