Throwback: Our 1st Bento Box

This photo is going a way back, but wanted to share our very first Bento Box making experience, however humble and meager it was!

How to Keep Lunch Boxes Cold?

While packing my daughter's lunch for school today, I noticed it is essential to keep the food inside a lunch box free from harmful bacteria and other micro organisms. This is especially important for children under the age of 5 or 6 because they are at a higher risk for food born illness. In old days it was difficult to keep the food fresh and cool. Now there are freezers or ice packs that can be used to keep the food fresh for several hours. Some foods like meat, cut fruits and vegetables, milk, pasta salad and yogurt need to be kept in cool; otherwise there is risk of contamination by bacteria and other organisms. Therefore when packing these cold foods in a lunch box, it is important to keep it cool by suitable methods.

One method of keeping the lunch box cold is to use an insulated lunch box. These are usually made up of durable nylon. It can keep the cold food for several hours.

There are freezer gel packs available in the market to keep the lunch boxes cold for many hours. The freezer gel pack usually contains a mix of water and alcohol in a definite proportion. The freezer gel packs are not recommended for all day storage.

The next is to keep ice packs inside the lunch box. Ice pack contains purified clear water which will be kept in the freezer overnight. In the morning, it is dropped in the lunch box along with the food. It will keep everything in the lunch box cold for a long time.

If ice packs are costly or not available, an alternate method is to use cold bottles. For this, find a non carbonated beverage which is sealed. After opening the seal just remove a small portion of the beverage to allow the expansion of the freezing beverage in the bottle. It is then placed in the freezer overnight. In the morning keep the frozen beverage bottle in the lunch box or lunch bag. All other foods remain cold till the lunch time and it is safe to eat such foods.

The above methods are recommended when no freezer or cold storage system is available to keep lunch boxes cold. If there is a refrigerator, the lunch boxes can be placed inside it to eat the foods safely. Also it is better to keep the lunch box out of direct sunlight.

Happy, healthy eating everyone!

What is the Difference between Obento and Bento?

There actually is no significant difference between an obento and a bento. Both terms are used interchangeably when referring to the Japanese way of packing meals. Obento (or bento) is a single meal serving of rice, meat or fish, vegetables, fruits and decorative garnishing and sauces in a disposable or usually lacquered box called a bento box.

To enhance the eating experience, a bento box meal is made to be more visually appealing than the usual take-out packed lunches. A bento box meal consists of food items that are tastefully and creatively arranged.

There are various types of obento boxes for different occasions.

Here are some of them:
Eki Bento or Ekiben is a boxed meal usually sold at train stations and convenience stores well-suited for travelers craving for a quick lunch.
Kouraku Bento is also called the picnic bento because it meant to be shared with family and friends when eating outdoors.
Entertain Bento or “art bento” is perhaps the most, well, entertaining. It features meticulous works of art that is a sure hit for kids and kids at heart.
Makunouchi Bento is seen during formal lunches or dinners and in restaurants as well. It is meant to be eaten at the dining table. Makunouchi bento is placed in very elegant lacquered boxes.

Of course, anything goes with your own obento! You can prepare your bento box meal anyway you want it. Add your favorite food items and garnish according to your taste. A small piece of sweet treat is alright to end a satisfying meal.

Just don’t forget the real essence of obento, which is to create a well-balanced, nutritious and complete meal that is not only delicious but visually enticing, attractive and appetizing as well.

So go on and exercise your creativity with your obento preparations. You and your loved-ones will surely enjoy the obento experience!

Anderson Japanese Gardens Afternoon Tea - Rockford

Click to see all photos.

Be seated and lose yourself in the exquisit natural surroundings of the Anderson Japanese Gardens Restuarant, located in Rockford, Illinois, while enjoying their seasonal "Afternoon Tea". Seatings are twice daily at 2pm and 3pm and require a 24 hour advance reservation in order for the chef to hand prepare your three course Afternoon Tea plates.

Afternoon Tea Menu:
Your choice of 6-8 different organic loose leaf teas ranging from bold green teas, aromatic berries, to mild herbal chamomile. Served piping hot in your own individual cast iron Japanese tea pot and trivet. Throughout the Afternoon Tea you are presented with the option to "try as many teas as you would like" so there's no missing out on the variety of organic flavors.

Plate One:
(elegantly arranged with fresh exotic orchid flower on paper doily)
Blueberry Scones
Flaky fruit filled pastry rolls
Pumpkin bread loaded with nuts & fruits
Raspberry preserves
Creamy butter/cheese spread

Plate Two:
(elegantly arranged with carved fresh strawberry centerpiece on paper doily)
Petite puffed filo crusts with fresh crab meat salad
Toast with fresh avacado salad spread
Chicken salad made with grapes and walnuts on raisin toast
Crackers with cucumber and sundried tomatos in savory cream cheese

Plate Three:
(elegantly arranged with carved fresh strawberry centerpiece on paper doily)
Hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries drizzled with white chocolate
Carrot cake with sweet cream cheese frosting
Chocolate ganache' type brownie hand dipped in chocolate.

Price: $17.95 includes tea and 3 courses (gratuities not included).

Afternoon Tea Review:
Today was my fourth visit to the restuarant at Anderson Japanese Gardens but my first for Afternoon Tea. We were a party of four consisting of 2 adult women and 2 "tween" age girls for the 2pm seating.

We were warmly greeted and subsequently seated along the longest of three, floor to ceiling, wall length windows. overlooking the view of the Anderson Japanese Gardens. This time of year is especially breathtaking with the autumn leaves showing a variety of reds, yellows, oranges and greens.

After seating, we were personally welcomed by the resturant manager and were told to take our Afternoon Tea at "our pace" which set the tone for relaxation. Our table was set with artfully folded napkins. We were attended by Hillary our server who was personable, available and able to answer questions we had about the tea or the plates.

The atomosphere is cozy with traditional Japanese style furnishings mixed with warm wood ceiling and ambient fireplace glowing.

All three courses plated were pleasing to both the eye and pallate of us four women and we highly recommend Anderson Gardens' Afternoon Tea if you're looking for relaxing induldgence.

We also recommend eating an early breakfast and a light lunch or no lunch before arriving for Afternoon Tea because the serving sizes are plentiful and you will not walk away hungry!

Website: http://www.andersongardens.org/

Address: 318 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, IL 61107

Phone: 815-316-2256

Afternoon Tea Hours: Twice daily at 2pm & 3pm

Reservations: at least 24 hours advance reservations required for Afternoon Tea