Thursday, March 4, 2010

Sakura Branch Bento


Sakura Branch Bento, originally uploaded by sherimiya ♥.
This bento includes some roasted chicken with Korean sauce (premade and stored in fridge), lotus root (renkon) in shoyu mirin sauce, steamed broccoli, a grape tomato and some raw star-cut baby carrots. The sakura blossoms are cut from steamed purple potato with sesame seed detail. For fruits he gets a giant strawberry, past-their-prime red grapes, and slices of blood orange.

So simple, right? But in the magic round bento box, it all looks like a bright spring day. More and more life is emerging in my humble backyard garden, and each new sprout and leaf bud makes me feel more excited each day. I have Blenheim apricot and nectarine trees in my yard, and I'm crossing fingers for buckets and buckets of fruit this year! I remember one year we couldn't give them away fast enough; we had so many.

I haven't started any seeds yet, but I have big plans for this growing season. Heirloom tomatoes! Basil! Cilantro and green onion! Mizuna! Shiso! Edamame? How about you?

18 comments:

  1. great idea to use the dividing wall of the box as a "branch"! this is very graphic and cool. the giant strawberry tops off a totally luscious fruit section, too -- from the looks of this bento, i would think it IS already spring!

    i have loved seeing the pics of your garden on twitter... must be so nice to have outdoor space to call your own! (stupid new york city ;-)

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  2. look forward to seeing more grubs from your garden. i try to be a 'good' gardener but the green fingers aren't showing at all, in fact they are turning a little yellow brown ha ha :) like that sakura cutter of yours.

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  3. Pretty Sakura bento and the chicken looks so delicious!!! Like Megan, the pics you posted on twitter were so beautiful!

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  4. Spring is almost a reality! Beautiful bento as always.

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  5. The tomato is so shiny I think I can see your window reflected! Such a sweet little lunch!

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  6. Thanks megan! It didn't hurt that the broccoli needed something on top of it :) Yes, even my tiny little outdoor space gives me unlimited pleasure. When I lived in an apartment you should have seen my balcony: it was so full of plants I could literally sleep out there and no one below would ever see me, haha!

    Thanks javapot! I have my share of things dying on me, but it doesn't stop me from trying again over and over :)

    Thanks a lot Susan!

    Thanks Debra, let's all wish really hard, and it'll be true :)

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  7. Omg Fluteloop, you're so funny! And you're right, that is my giant window! The biggest in my house, and therefore the one before which I must take all my photos during these dark days!! Thanks so much!!

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  8. Beautiful bento! Spring is really coming from your bento. I believe you have a cool hand for gardening. Nature just love you hahaha ... ;)

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  9. OOOHHH I'm going over to find your gardening pictures :) We'll have to trade tips :) The only thing I haven't managed to get my hands on yet are those stripey tomatos.

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  10. Healthy, multicolor, beautiful, yummy bento presentation Sheri. Your bentos always win my heart :D

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  11. Reading about emerging signs of spring in your garden and planting plans was a treat! Along with all of the details of this radiant, happy bento...beautiful sakura!

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  12. Love this - so pretty and so tasty looking!

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  13. alas, no garden here at the apartment in Boston! also, just wanted to tell you that I bought the purple sweet potato for the first time at the chinese market this weekend. It was delicious, and I thought of you and your bento flowers!

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  14. Thanks Lia, Angi, tatabonita, bentobird, Lexi and Rachel!
    Angi, I haven't grown zebra tomatoes either, but I would love to try this year. For sure!
    Rachel, glad you finally got to try it. It's good!

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  15. Oh yum! So colourful. That reminds me I have a little purple potato in the fridge I need to use!

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  16. I love the purple potatoes. They add a violet that is hard to find in nature :)

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  17. SO cute! Gotta make these for my Li'l girl

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