Sad day for the bento world...

Ichiban Kan anounced on their blog yesterday that they would be closing down the online store as soon as products sell out. I'm sure other bento fans will be just as saddened by this news as I was. I don't know where I'm going to get bentos now, I loved their prices, $1.50 compared to $15 - $25.

So anyway, better get your orders in right away before it's too late!

Okonomiyaki Bento Recipe: What I Like...

When I first heard of okonomiyaki, I thought it sounded gross. Don't get me wrong, I love a lot of Japanese food, but I I'm not a fan of traditional okonomiyaki ingredients: bonito shavings, seaweed, and dashi. But, that is the beauty of okonomiyaki; by defination it means "what you like." So the recipe bellow is what I like.

What do you like?

Okonomiyaki Recipe
(Serves 4 - 6)

Batter:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups broth (bonito, chicken, vegetable, etc.)
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups shredded cabbage

Toppings:
1 red bell pepper - diced
5 baby bella mushrooms - diced
1 onion - diced
1/2 yellow summer squash - diced
1/2 zucchini - diced
1 cup baby spinach - chopped
2 cloves garlic
Seasoning
Olive oil

1. Pour oil in pan; add garlic and seasonings.

2. Dice vegetables and saute.

3. Saute vegetables five minutes or until tender-firm. (You can add the baby spinach at the end of this cooking or added it with the vegetable in one of the later steps.)

4. Combine broth, eggs, and flour.

5. Add cabbage until it the batter is thick.

6. Pour batter on hot griddle or pan. Be sure it is well oiled. You can add the sauted vegetables now or after flipping. If you add the vegetables after flipping, be sure to reserve half the batter in this step.

7. When the edges start to firm, flip. You may find it easier to use two spatulas.

8. If you waited to add the vegetables until after you flipped, make sure to add additional batter on top and flip again.

9. Serve with okonomiyaki (or barbeque sauce) and mayo. (Sorry no picture.)

Oh and Enjoy! (^_^)v

I choose every bite...

Every bite of food I take is a decision that I make; do I choose to reach my goal or do I choose to stay the same. What do I really want? Do I want to carry all this extra weight? I will not zone out anymore; each bite I take I choose.

Bento Swap!

Okay, I know, I'm really late in posting this! Avie at aviesbento.com (who comments on here a LOT ) really liked my octo-bento (see four post bellow) so I offered to send it to her. She sent me all this great stuff in exchange! I finally have the glass bento I've always wanted - yippy \(^o^)/

I can't wait to use all of it, look for an update to this post later today... *update* I did :D