Category Archives: Bento / Cute Food

Hurricane Bento Lunches

Awhile ago I ended up making two different versions of hurricane themed lunches (on two different days) since I was not satisfied with the first one. I considered making a third one combining my favorite elements from each lunch. Instead … Continue reading

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Happy New Year 2018

Happy New Year! I made this meal for my Mom. She is always happy when I make lunch for her. She especially enjoyed the cheesy mashed potatoes. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: 2018 – Cheddar mashed potatoes cooled then shaped with … Continue reading

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Top 10 Bento 2017

It is that time again when I love to share my favorite bento lunches from the year. It was a wonderful year for me and I am looking forward to what 2018 will hold. Toki Mashed Potatoes The inspiration and … Continue reading

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Tree and Snowflake Potato Salad Lunch

I made this meal for my companion Dennis to take to work for lunch. It is part of my series of themed potato vegetable salad meals. This is not my favorite of the series but he enjoyed the meal and … Continue reading

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Christmas Tree Mashed Potatoes

I enjoy challenging myself to see how many different themes I can make with cheesy mashed potatoes. While this Christmas tree is not my favorite, it was fun to eat. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Christmas Tree – cheddar mashed potatoes … Continue reading

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Broccoli Holly in Rice for Lunch

Holly is toxic but broccoli shaped as holly was a delicious and healthy lunch. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Cooked broccoli – press into holly shaped cookie cutter, hot cooked Nishiki rice spooned around cookie cutter then carefully remove cookie cutter,  … Continue reading

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Flying Reindeer Salad

This Flying Reindeer Salad was served for lunch at my parents home on December 24, 2016. I did not post it last year because I was busy getting ready to leave for a month in Japan. The concept was one … Continue reading

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Cheesy Broccoli Rice for Lunch

I made these lunches for my companion Dennis and myself. I quickly made them a little cute with cookie cutters and cheese. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Alligator – cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, broccoli rice – mix cooked … Continue reading

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Chocolate Chip Dog Pancake Lunch

I made this lunch for my 13 year old nephew. He loves fruit and chocolate chip pancakes! Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Dog – chocolate chip pancakes cut with cookie cutter, green grapes Top Right: Dog bone cinnamon tortilla chips – … Continue reading

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Funny Cat Rice Lunch

This was a simple meal I made for myself using a tulip rice mold. Container: U Konserve Left Side: Cat – Nishiki rice shaped with a rice mold, carrot and spinach details, black beans and salsa Right Side: White carrots, … Continue reading

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Mashed Potato Rocket Lunch

I love space! So it is surprising to me that in the 6 years since having this blog, I have only created 10 space, alien, and planet themed lunches. In contrast I have made over 20 sheep / lamb themed … Continue reading

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Elephant Salad Lunch

Often my best themed lunches are ones I make for other people. I wanted some inspiration so I arranged to make lunch for a co-worker. She wanted the theme and food to be a surprise. I picked elephants since it … Continue reading

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Camel Mashed Potatoes Lunch

I made this fun camel themed lunch for my companion Dennis to take to work. Cookie cutters made this cute meal quick to make. I put the sides in silicone cups for easy removal before heating the rest of the … Continue reading

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Pumpkin and Bat Lunch

I made this meal for my companion Dennis to take to work. I enjoy making food for the people in my life. This looks a little strange but it was for Halloween and I am told that it tasted great. … Continue reading

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Fall Squirrel and Leaves Lunches

My 19 year old niece and I enjoyed these fall themed lunches. Container: Book Bento Box Contents: Leaf pasta with a little butter, Squirrel – press cooked hot Nishiki rice (or short grained sticky rice) into a cookie cutter using … Continue reading

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Caterpillar Lasagna

I made this lasagna meal for my 15 year old nephew. I thought that it looked a little gross and I think he did also. It did not matter too much because with this method, when he heated it in … Continue reading

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Picnic Lunch

I made lunches for a new companion Dennis and myself. His work is not far from mine so we met for lunch at a park along the Erie Canal. You can see both lunches in the last photo. I think … Continue reading

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Mickey Lentil Salad Lunch

I cherish the important people in my life and it is my thing to make food for them. I made this lunch for my friend to show my appreciation for how good she was to me during rough times and … Continue reading

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Elephant Rice

I made this simple meal for myself. The elephant rice was easy to shape using this mold. Container: Book Bento Box Contents: Elephants (cooked Nishiki rice shaped using plastic rice mold), spinach details, carrots, broccoli, toasted sliced almonds

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Radish Sheep Salad Lunch

I made this sheep themed salad for myself on a day that my niece and I went furniture shopping. We ate our lunches in my car. I used “daikon“, (Japanese radish) for the sheep. It is larger than typical radish … Continue reading

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Butterfly Salad Lunch

I made this salad for my niece on a day that she helped me go furniture shopping. We ate our bentos in the car between furniture stores. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Butterflies – melon (cut with cookie cutters), raspberries, pistachio … Continue reading

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Dog Bread for Lunch

I made this dog themed bread lunch for my nephew to bring to school. He loves my homemade rolls and requested them for lunch. I enjoy making shaped bread. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Dog shaped bread (used this recipe), added … Continue reading

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15th Birthday Lasagna Lunch

Last week my lasagna loving nephew turned 15. I made this lasagna lunch for him to bring to school. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Homemade lasagna with a cheddar “15” cut with cookie cutters Top Right: Pistachios Bottom Right: Blackberries and … Continue reading

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Kodomonohi Dinner

I made this simple Children’s day or kodomonihi dinner for my parents and me. The garnish for the main course and dessert is pie crust. Main: Partially cook broccoli, carrots, potato, and celery. Make a cheese sauce. Mix sauce with … Continue reading

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Dark Side of the Force Taco Salad

Happy Star Wars Day! May the Fourth be with you! I made this easy lunch for my taco loving nephew. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Black beans mixed with a little salsa, iceberg lettuce, Mexican cheese blend Top Right: Cherry tomatoes … Continue reading

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Daffodil Lunch and Walk

This week one night after work, my niece and I took a walk to a daffodil meadow and had this themed meal (I made 2 identical bentos). We ate our dinner sitting on a log under trees. It was a … Continue reading

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Easter Egg Bunny Lunches

This year I have 2 bunny themed lunches and 1 Easter egg lunch. I made the rice lunches for my niece and myself on a day that we did our traditional Easter egg craft. I will share our craft later … Continue reading

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Tokyo Travel and Bento Lunch

Today I have my last post in my 2017 Japan travel series. After Osaka / Kyoto, I took the Shinkansen to Tokyo. I stayed with language partners in Yokohama, Tsukuba, and stayed overnight at a hotel near Disneyland with another … Continue reading

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Osaka – Kyoto Travel and Bento Lunch

Continuing in my 2017 Japan Travel and Bento series I have Osaka and Kyoto. After Niigata, I flew to Osaka. A language partner who lives in Ibaraki City graciously invited me to stay with her and her family for a … Continue reading

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7 Lucky Gods Tour Kyoto

This is the third in my 2017 series of travel photos and food inspired by my trip to Japan. When I looked for things to do in Kyoto in January, I found the idea to visit each temple of the … Continue reading

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April Showers Bring May Flowers for Lunch

This simple lunch has a bit of whimsy with an umbrella handle pick and flower cookie cutters. Container: U Konserve Contents: Apple with cut side dipped in lemon juice and water, umbrella pick, salad with spinach and romaine (underneath), Near … Continue reading

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Sado Island Travel and Bento Lunch

Today I have the second in my 2017 series of travel photos and bento inspired by my trip to Japan. I am sharing photos from Sado Island and a Toki, (Japanese Crested Ibis) made from cheesy mashed potatoes. The Toki … Continue reading

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3 Saint Patrick’s Day Lunches

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Are you looking for fun and easy food to celebrate the Irish and all things green and shamrock? Well, you came to the right place. I have 3 new ideas this year (Shamrock Potato Salad, Shamrock … Continue reading

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Niigata Travel and Bento Lunches

I was on vacation in Japan from December 28, 2016 until January 24, 2017. When I returned from my last trip to Japan in 2014 I shared travel photos with themed bentos inspired by my trip. I will do the … Continue reading

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Hinamatsuri Food Art

This year for Hinamatsuri (Girls Day) I was inspired by this. Emperor: Face – Cheddar Cheese with food marker details, hair – spinach, hands – Cheddar cheese, baton – orange Cheddar cheese, body – green bell pepper, crown – food … Continue reading

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President’s Day Lunches

In celebration of President’s Day I made George Washington and Abraham Lincoln themed lunches. These were easy to make with cookie cutters. It is convenient and often healthier to have make ahead meals for myself in the refrigerator. Container: EasyLunchBoxes … Continue reading

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World Cities Bento Lunches

Today I have four world cities represented in lunches – Sydney, London, Paris, and New York. They are not very accurate from a food standpoint but it was a fun way to celebrate the spirit of each city. I hope … Continue reading

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4 Meatless Lunches

Container: U Konserve Contents: French bread with brie, green beans, blackberries Container: Fit & Fresh Bento Lunch Kit Left Side: French bread with broiled mozzarella cheese Top Right: Peaches, blackberries, cinnamon Bottom Right: Carrots Container: U Konserve Contents: Burrito – … Continue reading

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Leftover Ravioli for Lunch

I found these beautiful ravioli and served them for dinner. They made perfect leftovers for lunch meals. I don’t mind eating cold ravioli but these lunches can also be heated in a microwave. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Mushroom ravioli, with … Continue reading

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Panda Rice Lunch

I made this lunch for my 14 year old niece. She requested a panda themed meal with rice and I was happy to oblige. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Panda – rice inside CuteZCute Animal Friends cutter set, black olive details, … Continue reading

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Polar Bear and Snowman Mashed Potato Lunches

I met my 18 year old niece for lunch and made these lunches for us. The polar bear was for me and the snowman for my niece. We had the same sides and main ingredient (Cheddar mashed potatoes) to make … Continue reading

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A Year of Bento Lunches

Happy New Year! My niece Ella came up with the idea to create a themed bento lunch for each month of the year. The beginning of a new year seems like the perfect time to share this set. Enjoy! Container: … Continue reading

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Top 16 Bento of 2016

The end of the year is a typical time to reflect on the activities of the year. I reviewed all of the lunches I made (there were a lot!) and selected the top 16 to share today. These lunches are … Continue reading

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16 Make Ahead Lunches or Dinners

I consider myself a vegetarian foodie. The meat eaters I normally make meatless lunches for are not. A majority of these meals I made for myself. They are wonderful make ahead lunches or dinners. I love the cottage cheese potato … Continue reading

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Transportation Themed Lunches

Transportation themed lunches are fun for anyone to eat and easy to make using cookie cutters. Hot air balloon waffle, car shaped rice, mashed potato train, apple canoes and airplane pizza are sure to put a smile on your loved … Continue reading

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Lasagna Star Lunch

I made this star themed lasagna lunch for my 14 year old nephew to take to school. He loves my lasagna and a star theme seems fitting. This lunch was made to be reheated since he has a microwave available … Continue reading

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Dinosaur and Turkey Lunches

Today I have 2 meals I made for my 12 year old nephew – dinosaur and turkey themed. In both cases he had other food to supplement. I enjoy making shaped bread and the people in my life enjoy eating … Continue reading

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Space Themed Pizza Lunches

I am interested in space and have a reasonably sized space themed cookie cutter collection. When viewing my collection I decided to make several space themed pizza lunches. My nephews helped me out by eating these meals. This is my … Continue reading

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Christmas Tree Bread Lunch

I made this Christmas tree bread themed lunch for my nephew. Bread and cheese lunches are always popular. Container: Fit & Fresh Bento Lunch Kit Top Left: Kiwi Bottom Left: Carrots Right Side: Christmas Tree bread using this recipe, decorated with … Continue reading

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3D Gingerbread Table Decorations

A few weeks ago, my garden club was involved in a holiday house tour. Garden clubs each decorated a house for Thanksgiving or Christmas and members of the community paid to tour the houses. Since making arrangements is not my … Continue reading

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