Butter Salmon Worcestershire sauce Shimeji Mushroom Bento

Today I tried two new recipes for children's bento—the pan-fried butter salmon with stir-fried Worcestershire sauce Shimeji mushroom and baked roasted potatoes. I also prepared the boiled corn on the cob.

Butter Salmon Worcestershire sauce Shimeji Mushroom

Ingredients:

• Salmon, 2 pcs
• Shimeji Mushroom, 1 packet
• Salt, ½ tablespoon
• Pepper, 1 teaspoon
• Butter, 20 gram
• Worcestershire sauce, ½ tablespoon

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Salmon cut to half, seasoned with salt and white pepper, keep in the fridge for the next day.
2. Shimeji Mushroom removes the roots and tears them into pieces to prepare for the next day.

Actual Day

1. Take out the salmon, pat dry the salmon with kitchen towels.
2. Heat butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts, pan-fried the salmon, cook for 2 minutes, and turn pan-fried to the other side. Pan fry each side for 2 minutes. Transfer to plate for cooling.
3. Add Shimeji mushroom to the pan and pan-fry and cook for 2 minutes. Stir fry the other side till it becomes golden. Add Worcestershire sauce and mix well. Once the sauce is dry, turn off the heat and transfer it to the plate for cooling.

 

Baked Roasted Potatoes

Ingredients:

• Russet Potatoes, 2 pcs
• Salt, 1 teaspoon
• Garlic powder, ½ tablespoon
• Cheese powder, ½ tablespoon
• Olive oil, little

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Cut the potatoes into crescent moon shapes, soaked in cold water for 2 minutes, dried, and put into the fridge.

Actual Day

1. Add olive oil, seasonings with garlic powder, cheese powder, salt, and mix.
2. Preheat the oven, and roast until tender with 230 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes. Take out for cooling.

Other than these, I also added in last night's leftover Texas Fried Chicken and the honey-coated biscuits. It is because there was no rice, and I hope the portion is enough for their lunch. Overall, I am happy with my homemade taste for my children today!

Mayonnaise Chicken Bento

I did some modifications of the original recipe as I want to clear stuffs in the fridge XD XD.

Mayonnaise Chicken

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast, 2 pcs (about 300 grams)
• Salt, little
• White pepper, little
• A – Mayonnaise, 2 tablespoon
• A – Water, 2 tablespoon
• A – Corn flour, 2 tablespoon
• Bread crumbs, 2 tablespoon

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Cut the chicken breast into bite sizes, add in some salt and white pepper to marinate.
2. Take out a bowl, put in the mixture [A], mix well.
3. Put the marinated chicken breast in the bowl with mixture [A], mix well and store in the fridge for next day.

Actual Day

1. Take out chicken breast covered with mayo and corn flour, cover with bread crumbs.

2. Heat up the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Turn to low heat,pan-fry the mayonnaise chicken breast for about 3 minutes for each side and it would be done.

Yau Mak Stir-fry Dried Tofu

Ingredients:

• Yau Mak, 300 grams
• Fried Tofu, 6 pcs
• Chili, 1 pc
• Mince Garlic, 1 teaspoon
• Dried shrimps, 1 tablespoon
• Salt, 1 teaspoon

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and cut the Yau Mak. Store in the fridge for the next day.

2. Cut the chili and remove the seeds. Wash and clean the dried shrimps for the next day.

3. Cut the tofu into cube sizes. Heat up the oil and fry the tofu till golden brown. Store it in the fridge for next day.  

Actual Day

1. Heat up the oil, stir-fry the minced garlic and dried shrimps till fragrance, add in the lady fingers and stir-fry. Add in the salt and the fried tofu, chili, continue stir-fry for 3 minutes and it is done.

 

Spring Onions Tamagoyaki

Ingredients:

• Eggs, 4 pcs
• Spring onions, 15 grams
• Salt, 1little
• Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• Stocks, 30ml

Preparation:

Actual Day

1. Beat the eggs, add in all the ingredients.

2. Heat up the Tamagoyaki frying pan, add in a bit oil, add in the beaten eggs. Use the spatula to roll up the egg sheet.

3. Push down the eggs, and add more beaten eggs into the pan, keep on the rolling and wrapping method.

4. Take out and let cool, and cut the tamagoyaki into half.

I added in a quick stir-fry lady fingers as greens for the bento on top of all the rice, meat, tofu and eggs.

Bell Pepper Chicken Bento

Issac and Annabelle love this bento especially the bell pepper chicken. I modified it from the original jalapeno to bell pepper as both of them do not dare to eat hot chili so much.

Bell Pepper Chicken

Ingredients:

• Debone chicken chop, 2 pcs
• Yellow Bell Pepper, ½ pcs
• Red Bell Pepper, ½ pcs
• Corn flour, 1 tablespoon
• Rice Wine, little
• Say sauce, 1 tablespoon
• Sugar, 1 tablespoon
• Salt, little
• White pepper, little

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Cut the chicken chop to cube sizes, add in the white pepper and salt to marinate overnight.
2. Cut the bell peppers into smaller longish sizes.

Actual Day

1. Take out the marinated chicken chop, dip into the corn flour.

2. Heat up the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Turn to low heat, pan-fry the chicken chop with skin facing down till it turn to golden brown, then only turn to the other side till golden brown as well. Pour in the rice wine along the pan, and pan-fry till the meat cook.

3. Add in the bell peppers, add in the soy sauce and sugar, stir-fry till the sugar melt and it is done.

Century Eggs Tamagoyaki

Ingredients:

• Century Eggs, 2 pc
• Large Eggs, 4 pcs
• A – Stocks, 20ml
• A – Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• A – Salt, little

Preparation

Night Before

1. Remove the century eggs shells, cut into 2.5cm cube in sizes. Store in the fridge for next day.

Actual Day

1. Beat all the eggs, add in [A] together with the chopped century egg cubes.
2. Heat up the tamagoyaki pan, add in some oil, pour in little beaten eggs, use the silicon spatula to roll the egg from bottom to top, add in more beaten eggs to refill the empty space of the pan, repeat to roll up the eggs process till the suitable thickness.
3. Do the same for another set of tamagoyaki. Cut the century eggs tamagoyaki to half after cooling.

 

Spring Onions Onigiri

Ingredients:

• Spring onions, 2 tablespoons
• Mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons
• Bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons
• Salt, 1 teaspoon
• White rice, 3 bowls

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Cut the spring onions to small, mix well with mayonnaise, bread crumbs, salt, store in the fridge for next day.

Actual Day

1. Take out a big bowl, use hand to make the onigiri into handful triangle shape, put the spring onions mayo mixture on top of the rice ball.
2. Put in the spring onion onigiri on the oven tray and bake for 10 minutes at 230 degree Celsius till it turn to golden colour.

 

Broccoli

Ingredients:

• Broccoli, 150 grams

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and cut the broccoli into florets , store in the fridge for next day.

Actual Day

1. Boil a pot of hot water, add in some salt, put in the broccoli for 45 seconds after the water boil.
2. Take out the broccoli, rinse through the ice water.
3. Add in some salt and olive oil and mix it well.

Anyway, it is a new try for me for today bento. Enjoying making it for the children!

We Talk of Christ

Like a guiding star in a clear, dark sky, Jesus Christ lights our way.

“He came to earth in a humble stable. He lived a perfect life. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He was a friend to the forgotten. He taught us to do good, to obey, and to love one another. He was crucified on a cross, rising majestically three days later, allowing us and those we love to live beyond the grave. With His incomparable mercy and grace, He took upon Himself our sins and our suffering, bringing forgiveness as we repent and peace in the storms of life. We love Him. We worship Him. We follow Him. He is the anchor of our souls.”

While this spiritual conviction is increasing within us, faith in Jesus Christ is diminishing in parts of the world.

“We have taken upon ourselves the name of the Savior. What more are we to do?”

Part of the answer comes in following President Russell M. Nelson, who has invited members to follow his example and study the 2,200 scripture references of Jesus Christ listed in the Topical Guide.

We Talk of Christ

by Elder Neil L. Anderson

A Promise for Your Preparation

“I promise you that as you prepare yourselves, as President Nelson did, you too will be different, thinking more about the Savior, speaking of Him more frequently and with less hesitation. As you come to know and love Him even more deeply, your words will flow more comfortably, as they do when you speak of one of your children or of a dear friend. Those listening to you will feel less like debating or dismissing you and more like learning from you.”

We can do a little better by:

Speaking of Christ in Our Homes

“The stories of Jesus [are] like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children.” When your children ask you questions, consciously think about teaching what the Savior taught.

“We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, … that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”

Speaking of Christ in the Church

“In our worship services, let us focus on the Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of His atoning sacrifice.”

“While our subject might be about families or service or temples or a recent mission, everything in our worship should point to the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Speaking of Christ with Others

“With those around us, let us be more open, more willing to talk of Christ. President Nelson said, “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world.”

“Let the Lord guide them as they are willing, while we think more about our responsibility to be a voice for Him, thoughtful and open about our faith.”

“Be more open on social media in talking about your trust in Christ. Most will respect your faith, but if someone is dismissive when you speak of the Savior, take courage in His promise: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you … for my sake. … For great is your reward in heaven.”

“The Book of Mormon is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ. Virtually every page testifies of the Savior and His divine mission.”

And lastly - Lifting Our Desire to Speak of Christ

“Can you imagine being caught up to meet Him, whether on this side or the other side of the veil? That is His promise to the righteous. This amazing experience will mark our souls forever.”

“…let us talk of Christ, anticipating His glorious promise: “Whosoever … shall confess me before men, him will I confess … before my Father.”

I feel as I have so much to catch up on doing all these! However, I still need to put in effort and Hear Him more.

Butter Salmon Stir-fry French Beans Bento

Today bento looks nicer a little bit, as I cooked most of the dishes that I knew. The only complaints from the children are too much portion, they are having a full stomach every time after lunch ^^

Butter Salmon

Ingredients:

• Salmon, 2 pcs
• Salt, ½ tablespoon
• Pepper, 1 teaspoon
• Butter, 20 gram

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Salmon cut to half, seasoned with salt and white pepper, keep in the fridge for the next day.

Actual Day

1. Take out the salmon, pat dry the salmon with kitchen towels.

2. Heat butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts, pan-fried the salmon, cook for 2 minutes, and turn pan-fried to the other side. Pan fry each side for 2 minutes. Transfer to plate for cooling.

Baked Roasted Potatoes

Ingredients:

• Russet Potatoes, 2 pcs
• Salt, 1 teaspoon
• Garlic powder, ½ tablespoon
• Cheese powder, ½ tablespoon
• Olive oil, little

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Cut the potatoes into crescent moon shapes, soaked in cold water for 2 minutes, dried, and put into the fridge.

Actual Day

1. Add olive oil, seasonings with garlic powder, cheese powder, salt, and mix.

2. Preheat the oven, and roast until tender with 230 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes. Take out for cooling.

  

Tamagoyaki Lady Fingers / Okra

Ingredients:

• Lady Fingers, 8 pcs
• Eggs, 4 pcs
• A – Salt, little
• A - Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• A – Stocks, 20ml

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and clean the lady fingers using salt to remove the outer hair, and remove the stem of okra.

Actual Day

1. Beat the eggs, add in the mixture [A].

2. Heat up the Tamagoyaki frying pan, add in a bit oil, add in the beaten eggs, and place 4 pcs of okra onto the egg sheet. Use the spatula to roll up the okras together with the cook egg, and wrap the whole okras up.

3. Push down the eggs, and add more beaten eggs into the pan, keep on the rolling and wrapping method.

4. Take out and let cool, and cut the tamagoyaki okra into half.

 

Stir-fry French Beans

Ingredients:

• French beans, 150 grams
• Mince garlic, 3 gloves
• Salt, to taste
• Olive oil, little

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and cut the French beans into 5cm lengths, store in the fridge.

Actual Day

1. Heat up the frying pan, add in olive oil. Stir-fry the mince garlic till fragrance.

2. Add in the French beans and stir-fry for about 3 – 5 minutes, add in salt and stir-fry further for about 1 minute and it is done.

The rice is actually mix vegetables fried rice that I prepared in the early morning as well for the kids.

Miso Meatballs Bento

Today is the second day of bento making. I try something from the recipe book that I newly bought. Hope my bento making journey starts to be better.

Miso Meatballs

Ingredients:

• Seaweed, 1 sheet
• Ground mince pork, 300 grams
• Miso paste, ½ tablespoon
• Mirin, ½ tablespoon
• Rice Wine, to taste

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Cut the big piece of seaweed to 6 pcs 3cm square shape, put into the Ziploc bag.
2. Grounded mince pork put into a big bowl, add in the mirin and miso paste to marinate it. Take a handful portion and throw it between your both hands, to reduce the air in the meat, and increase the meats’ density. Store in the fridge and prepare for the next day.

Actual Day

1. Take out the marinated grounded pork. Take some portion and roll it into a ball shape, finally press it to form a burger shape. Stick the cut seaweed sheet on top and bottom of the meat.

2. Heat up the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Turn to low heat, pan-fry the miso meatballs for 5 minutes.

3. Slowly turn over the meatballs on the other side, add in the rice wine along the pan, and cover the pan for about 3 – 4 minutes. After uncover, pan-fry a little longer till the sauce thicken and it is done.

Hard Boiled Eggs

Ingredients:

• Eggs, 2 pc

Preparation

Actual Day

1. Put the eggs into small pot, add the water till cover the whole eggs. Heat up the pot with medium-high, turn the heat lower after the water has boiled, and cook for another 5 minutes then turn off the fire.
2. Put the cook eggs in the ice water, slowly crack the eggs shells, and let it for about 3 minutes.
3. Remove the egg shells, cut half and put in the bento box.

Stir-fry Choy Sum (Mustard Greens)

Ingredients:

• Choy Sum, 200 grams
• Garlic, 2 gloves
• Salt, to taste

Preparation:

Night Before

1. Wash and cut the Choy Sum, cut the garlic gloves to slices. Store in the fridge for next day.

Actual Day

1. Heat up the oil in the frying pan, stir-fry the garlic slices till fragrance.
2. Put in the Choy Sum and turn the heat to high and stir-fry till cook. Add in the salt to taste and it is done.   

Something interesting about this bento is the rice. I cooked the rice together with the cut pumpkin. It looks like we are having the pumpkin rice and it is so easy to make with the rice cooker.

First Bento Attempt

I started my first bento attempt for both Issac and Annabelle to bring to school for their lunch time. I feel so awful as this is my first bento attempt and it looks not nice at all!

Both children are still very supporting and told me that the taste is good, just the outlook not enticing only. I was indeed really touched by the kindness of my children towards me.

I definitely will try my best to make a better bento each time!