We are Bento of Borg, prepare to be assimilated

[rikibeth]

I have just made some of the messiest-looking sushi EVER. Carrot, cucumber, and avocado. Skinny nori rolls.

No, I am not going to take a picture. Maybe my next batch when they don't look so damned lame.

But the biggest compartment of the kid's bento is full of sushi rolls, edamame in the smaller one, and the smallest divided one has grapes and little meringues. Also, she has Pocky.

I didn't have most of the traditional equipment besides the bamboo rolling mat that came in the cheapie kit from Borders (with a recipe book and a DVD), so I used a big mixing bowl instead of the flat tray, and a rubber spatula instead of the bamboo thing, but I DID use an actual Japanese paper fan to fan the rice. Because I knew that the kid HAD a paper fan from Arisia.

It wasn't even rice vinegar, it was cider vinegar. But they're similarly mild.

I have not yet drunk the Kool-aid to the extent of getting the cute little cutters to put flower garnishes on things, or arranging the foodstuffs to make a picture. I am not that crazy. I just want the kid to have a good lunch.

But I did make sushi rolls. And I am damned proud of myself.

Comments

[ame-chan.livejournal.com]

Hey now, I have no flower cutters. I use a paring knife!!! :-PP

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I don't know whether that makes you less obsessive, or MORE. :-P

Srsly, my skills at garniture mostly involve the strawberry fan and the sprig o' mint. And drawing on the plate with squeeze bottles of sauce.

But, woo, bento lunches!

[kebbykate.livejournal.com]

Yay! Good for you!

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

Awww. //melts

[shadowflyer.livejournal.com]

Major props for home made sushi, but did you have to send her with sushi for lunch the day she's having dinner at Kyoto?

Tomorrow: Metal tank gets cooked and drained ramen, edamame and steamed carrot bits in middle, treats in divided. Ramen flavor packet alongside and water bottle for microwaving to heat noodles on site. This is kinda neat. :)

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

She is quite looking forward to having sushi twice in one day, actually.

Please encourage her to do some homework in the hour between school and voice lessons -- I suggested that this morning, but reinforcement would be good.

[shadowflyer.livejournal.com]

I spoiled her a little, we went for tea and a snack between time. But she's doing homework between dinner and bed.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I was good with tea and a snack, just thought there might be time for homework as well. As long as it gets done!

[auspeople.livejournal.com]

The son loves sushi... what is known here as the Oklahoma roll (crab and cream cheese). I might be able to sneak cucumber in there if he knew I was making it for him.

You have inspired me to try to find some info on making sushi. Have never done it. But it may be time.

[kay-taylor.livejournal.com]

You SHOULD be proud of yourself! This is A++ parenting and devotion, and sounds yummy.

I find that if my rolls come out particularly wonky, skewering them with toothpicks makes it look neater and stay together in transit. (and yes, I may have my eye on some special bento skewers at the Japan Centre, why do you ask???)

[a_belladonna]

That sounds really delicious. :) I'm sure that'll be a success.

I've been considering making o-nigiri (those triangular riceballs with seaweed wrapping) for my lunch, I just haven't found some good filling yet. Right now I'm just proud of how I actually bother make a lunchbox every morning with lots of vegetables, fruit and brown rye bread instead of spending my money at the university canteen. ;)

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Any sort of nutritious lunch is good! The thing about the sushi, and the Japanese-style bento kit, is that not only is my daughter a vegetarian, she's an anime fan as well, so anything Japanese-style is a win.

We made spherical onigiri when a sushi kit didn't work right, and just molded them with plastic wrap. Also a hit.

[shadowflyer.livejournal.com]

Yay onigiri. The home made sushi...could use some practice, she said. The taste of the vinegar may be a bit off. Also, rice didn't firm up quite right, making the rolls difficult to pick up.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I bought rice vinegar today which should have a better flavor to it. I'll keep working on it.

[egwenna.livejournal.com]

Everything is a matter of practice. I enjoy eating it, but I can't imagine attempting to make sushi. Right now I'm just happy I get my little man to eat the veggies in his lunch (sauces for dipping are wonderful things!)

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

With the rolling mat, it's not THAT hard. Ever make a jelly roll?

[egwenna.livejournal.com]

...nope. The only thing I've ever rolled is a burito. :-)

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I think next time I'm going to try futomaki -- the wide sushi rolls. They're about the diameter of a smallish burrito.

And the basic motion isn't so different.

[egwenna.livejournal.com]

Isaac'll eat sushi with me. Maybe when he's a touch older we'll give it a go together.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I bet he'd get a kick out of fanning the rice to cool it off!

[egwenna.livejournal.com]

He might. He usually likes when we make zuccini bread and he likes punching the dough down when I make pizza dough, but his fine motor skills need to catch up because he gets frustrated very quickly when things don't go as he intends.

Sushi Matic

[louiseroho.livejournal.com]

http://www.taylorgifts.com/prodetail~itemNo~29010.asp

Re: Sushi Matic

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the thought, but I'm trying to minimize the number of single-function gadgets I have in the house. They all too easily become an addiction with me.