Author Archives: eclecticlamb

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About eclecticlamb

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Lotus Root Pizza

Over the summer when I was in Kyoto, I ate one slice of lotus root pesto pizza. I was with a group and everyone had a slice of the 6 slice pizza. Since that night, I have been dreaming of … Continue reading

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Camel Rice in Cauliflower Desert

This fun camel theme was for me. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Camel – Nishiki rice pressed with plastic wrap in a cookie cutter, broiled cheddar, dried blueberry eye, mashed cauliflower Top Right: Macadamia nuts Bottom Right: Camels – Cantaloupe cut with a cookie … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday Felt Banner

For a awhile, I thought about having a birthday banner that matched my dining room to use when I host birthday meals for friends or myself. I finally make one! Felt: Joanne Fabric’s thicker felt String: DMC Pearl Cotton Lettering: … Continue reading

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Halloween Treats 2024

It was hot this year. 74 degrees! My first trick-or-treater arrived around 6:10 pm and by 7:40 pm I was out of treats. I prepared 30 bags plus the one wrapped book for my 3 year old neighbor. See photos … Continue reading

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Frankenstein Hand Pie Meal

I made this meal for Carol. I chose Frankenstein since I previously only had one Frankenstein in my Halloween collection. She enjoyed. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Frankenstein – Hand pie – I made my own butter pie crust, for the filling I … Continue reading

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Skull Cheese Quinoa

I made this skull cheese art meal for myself. Rectangle Glass Container Skull – Mozzarella cheese slice cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker details, tomato quinoa (I didn’t use the chili or coriander) Tiny Round Glass Container Macadamia … Continue reading

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Bat Cheeseball

I made this cute bat cheeseball for myself. I was inspired by this. Bat – Cream cheese mixed with finely shredded cheese formed into a ball. Roll in cocoa powder. Eyes – dried blueberries, Wings – Blue Corn Tortilla Chips

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Ghost Pesto Tortellini

I enjoyed this delicious meal of fresh mozzarella ghosts, pesto tortellini and sweet blackberries. Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers Left Side: Ghosts – Fresh mozzarella cut with a cookie cutter, pesto tortellini Right Side: Ghosts – Fresh mozzarella cut with a … Continue reading

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Blue Cheese Pasta with Beets Witch Hats

Pasta, Blue Cheese and Beets has been a favorite combination of mine for nearly 20 years. I don’t feature it here as often as my favorite Peanut Noodles but maybe I should find more unique ways to prepare this meal. … Continue reading

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Dame Maggie Smith Inspired Tea

It is sad that Dame Maggie Smith recently died. Renae and I decided to have a themed dinner together and watch her last movie (The Miracle Club) in my media room. The meal had slight hints from 3 of her … Continue reading

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Ginkgo Leaf Themed Meal

Last weekend, my nearly 26 year old niece came over for a visit and meal. It was the perfect time to use a ginkgo shaped rice mold I bought at Kappabashi in Tokyo. I also incorporated Pumpkin Spice whipped honey … Continue reading

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Themed Shaped Bread Collection

I have enjoyed making bread since I was 14. Making fun shaped bread is a particular passion of mine. Here are some of my cute themed bread creations. Updated: 2/29/25 SPORTS Basketball Cheese Bread Football Bread Tennis Ball Bread HOLIDAYS … Continue reading

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Hasselback Sweet Potato Blueberry Salad

Continuing in my quest to hasselback everything possible, here is a sweet potato. Hasselback Sweet Potato – I loosely followed this recipe but used olive oil not butter. Blueberry Feta Salad with Romaine

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River Peanut Noodles

I made this simple meal for myself. Go here to see other themed peanut noodles meals. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: River – Peanut Noodles, Fish – cucumber and carrots – cut with a cookie cutter, broccoli Top Right: Pecans Bottom Right: Blueberries

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Cheese Mashed Potato Waffles

In my continued challenge to make different types of waffles, I made this mashed potato waffle meal for myself. Iced Tea with Lemon Cheese Mashed Potatoes cooked in a waffle maker, Sour Cream, Chives Roasted Broccoli

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Broccoli and Chickpea Parmesan

I made this meal for myself, it was delicious and I expect it will become part of my usual meal rotation. I even garnished the side and drink! Garnish elevates a meal. I don’t often take the time to plan … Continue reading

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Fall Leaves Fruit Bowl

When looking for something new to create for my Fall / Autumn collection, I was inspired by this fruit salad. Contents: Oak Leaves – Cantaloupe cut with a cookie cutter, Maple Leaves – Watermelon cut with a cookie cutter, blackberries, … Continue reading

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Unicorn Cheese

I made this cute and delicious meal for myself. Rectangle Glass Container Unicorn – Mozzarella cheese slice cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker details, tomato quinoa (I didn’t use the chili or coriander) Round Glass Container Grapes with … Continue reading

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Dad’s 81th Birthday

Today is my Dad’s birthday. Last weekend we celebrated his birthday at my parent’s Lake House. Carol celebrated with us. When I asked my Dad what dessert he wanted, he said, “Peach Pie”. I immediately thought of my ex-mother-in-laws peach … Continue reading

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Giraffe Collection

Here is my giraffe collection! PIZZA Cheddar and Pesto Pizza, White Carrot Giraffes POLENTA Goat Cheese and Paprika Polenta Giraffe VEGETABLE POTATO SALAD Sweet Potato, Cheddar, Orange Bell Pepper, Smoked Paprika Giraffes QUESADILLA 3D Cheese Quesadilla Giraffe Cheese Quesadilla Giraffe … Continue reading

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Dragon Cheese Tortilla Bento

I made this dragon themed meal for my college friend Dan’s daughter Chloe when Dan and his family joined me and my parents at their Lake House. Container: Cloud box from Japan (set of 3) Large Box: Dragons – Four tortilla with … Continue reading

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Tortilla and Cheese Giraffes

I made these fun giraffes for myself. Tortilla Giraffes: Cheddar cheese broiled on a tortilla, after cooled cut with cookie cutter, Markings – Olive details, Eye – Cinnamon Apple Giraffes: Apple cut with a cookie cutter, Eye and Markings – … Continue reading

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Hatsune Miku Bento Lunch

I made this meal for my college friend Dan’s daughter Anna. Dan and his family joined me and my parents at the Lake House a few weeks ago. When I asked Anna what theme lunch she wanted she said, “Hatsune … Continue reading

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Turtle Peanut Noodles

Here is another peanut noodle meal I made for myself. Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers Left Side: Turtles – Cucumber cut with a cookie cutter, peanut noodles Right Side: Dry roasted wasabi edamame

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Watermelon Lunch

Continuing with my Featured Ingredient meal series – Watermelon. I made this for myself. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Savory Watermelon Salad – I made it single serving and didn’t use the olive oil, yellow watermelon, fennel or basil Top Right: Watermelon dipped in melted chocolate and covered … Continue reading

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3 Cheese Polenta Tart

I made this for dinner when my parents visited. The tart was flavorful! Chickpea Caesar Salad Kit 3 Cheese Polenta Tart with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

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Butterfly Collection

Over the years, I have made many butterfly themed food. Here is my collection! SNACK Apple, Cheese, and Crackers Butterflies Carrot, Tortilla Chips, Cucumber, and Cantaloupe Butterflies Cheese and Crackers Butterflies Cheese, Crackers, and Apple Butterflies RAVIOLI Ravioli, Vegetable Butterflies … Continue reading

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Airplane Peanut Noodles

Continuing with my themed peanut noodles, today I have airplanes. Container: Cloud box from Japan (set of 3) Large Box: Airplanes – cucumber cut with a cookie cutter, peanut noodles Small Box: Plain Greek yogurt, blueberries

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Hasselback Tomato

Today I have easy and fun hasselback tomatoes. Hasselback Tomatoes – sliced small tomatoes, fresh mozzarella ball slides Pasta Alla Vodka Roasted broccoli with garlic

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Open Face Sandwich with Tomato Salad

I made this meal for my parents and me at their Lake House. It was fast to prepare and delicious! This recipe is a keeper! Open-Face Goat Cheese Sandwich with Tomato & Avocado Salad

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Boat Vegetable Potato Salad

I made this meal for my Mom as part of my Vegetable Potato Salad series. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side:  Boats – Roasted potatoes, orange cheddar cheese, orange bell pepper all cut with cookie cutters, blue cheese mixed with some cream cheese Top Right: Cashews … Continue reading

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Fruit and Vegetable Party

This year around my birthday, I decided to host a Fruit and Vegetable themed party with Appetizers and Desserts. 6 of us were able to attend (Mom, Dad, Carol, Deborah, Renae and me). I asked my Mom to make a … Continue reading

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Tokyo Japan 2024

These adorable rice pandas were inspired by our visit to the Ueno Zoo to see the pandas. Container: Wooden box purchased in Kyoto at Bento&co. Contents: Pandas – rice formed with this set, spinach details, Bamboo – asparagus, blueberries, broccoli Inspiration photo for … Continue reading

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Shizuoka Japan 2024

Here is my completed Suruga Bamboo Lattice Vase. I took a class and assembled it myself. I think it is beautiful! When planning our trip to Japan, it was important to me to take some traditional craft classes. My language … Continue reading

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Tamanoi Ichinomiya Japan 2024

Here is my version of historical buildings for textile weaving in Tamanoi. See the photo below. Buildings – quesadilla made from Swiss and Gyuyere cheeses with flour tortillas, Siding – espresso and water painted with a brush, Windows – cheese … Continue reading

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Osaka Japan 2024

My moss statue from mashed potatoes and green dyed cornflakes is not great but I am pleased with my espresso dyed radish lantern. To understand my inspiration, see the photo below. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Moss Statue – Mashed Potatoes sculpted by … Continue reading

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Lake Biwa Japan 2024

Today I have a bento inspired by my photos from visiting Lake Biwa (not far from Kyoto). See the photo collage below. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Torii – tomato sauce, lake – mashed potatoes with butterfly pea powder Top Right: Fish – … Continue reading

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Kyoto Japan 2024

Here is my rudimentary food version of Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). The vision in my mind was much better than it is in reality. I had trouble with the shapes, especially the roof shapes. I had other things going on at … Continue reading

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Fukuoka Japan 2024

I know this is not very good. It was actually my third try coloring and shaping the mashed potatoes. At first a Japanese friend didn’t know what to say when she looked at the photo. Then, she said it looks … Continue reading

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Niigata Japan 2024

This bento was inspired by the tower at Shibata castle complex in Niigata Prefecture Japan. Castle: Rice, Roof: tortilla with melted chocolate and Pokey, Windows: tortilla with food coloring, Rock wall under castle: cheese painted with espresso and water, Background: … Continue reading

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Eating Cute Food in Japan

As my long time readers know, I am passionate about creating and eating cute food. Japan is the land of cute food. During my 2024 trip to Japan, my friends and I planned opportunities to try cute food. Here is … Continue reading

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Japan Travel 2024

My 2024, trip to Japan was unlike any of my prior 6 trips to Japan but each trip is unique in its own way. During this 7th trip I covered more distance and visited more locations in one trip than … Continue reading

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Bees and Hive Waffles

Keeping with tradition, my niece and my Mom made this breakfast when at the Lake House. Bees – Chocolate chip waffles cut with cookie cutter Bee Hive – Chocolate chip waffles cut with cookie cutter Others in this series: Bear, … Continue reading

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Hasselback Strawberries Spinach Salad

Continuing with my fascination for hasselback food, here are some strawberries. I was inspired by a salad Renae made for me awhile ago. Hasselback Strawberries – Mascarpone between the slices Spinach, toasted almonds, feta cheese, Wegmans Poppyseed dressing

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13 Year Blogiversary

When I am asked to use three words to describe myself, two of my words are usually organized and dependable. These traits enabled me to keep creating and sharing content here for 13 years! Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers Left … Continue reading

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Butterfly Polenta Pesto

I made this beautiful butterfly meal for myself. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side:  Butterfly – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, Details – Black bean sauce, pesto, Cheddar cheese, pesto Top Right: Butterflies – Kiwi cut with a cookie cutter, blueberries Bottom Right: Butterflies … Continue reading

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Fresh Fruit Cakes & Carved Melon

I don’t carve melon or make fresh fruit cakes very often but I am satisfied with the result when I do. They are beautiful and delicious! Here is my collection. Updated: 2/15/2025 FRESH FRUIT CAKES Watermelon and Fruit Birthday Cake … Continue reading

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July 4 Rocket Pizza

These are supposed to be fireworks rockets. I’m not quite sure what they look like. But as usual it was fun to make and eat. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Rockets – Pizza dough cut with a cookie cutter, spread tomato sauce on … Continue reading

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Blue Mashed Potato American Flag

In my challenge to make an American flag from ingredients different than I made in the past, here is a blue mashed potato flag. Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers Left Side: American Flag – Blue mashed potato, cheddar stars, cream cheese, … Continue reading

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Chickpeas Alla Vodka

I made this simple meal for myself. I made it easier by not baking the bread and I bought the bread already sliced from Wegmans. I expect that this meal will be part of my regular rotation. Chickpeas Alla Vodka … Continue reading

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