Hope everyone is enjoying their spring break.
Aidan Bento will return on Tuesday, April 14th. Stay tuned for next week's bento menu!
Showing posts with label Aidan Bento Society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aidan Bento Society. Show all posts
Monday, April 6, 2009
No Aidan Bento for April 7-9: Spring Break!
Hope everyone is enjoying their spring break.
Aidan Bento will return on Tuesday, April 14th. Stay tuned for next week's bento menu!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Bento menus for next week (March 24-26, 2009)
After a week's hiatus, our bento lunches are back! Here are the menus for this coming week. Orders will close tomorrow at noon because of the half-day for the inservice, so get your orders in (and your boxes, if you can) before then! A hard copy of this menu, with a sign-up sheet, is on the table in the upstairs kitchen at school.
Tuesday, March 24th Menu:
* Wafu gyoza - Japanese-style steam-fried pork and vegetable dumplings with wakame seaweed
* Stir-fried vegetables TBD
* Steamed rice
Wednesday, March 25th Menu:
* Herbed root vegetable and white bean turnovers
* Hard boiled egg
* Salad greens
* Fruit TBD
Thursday, March 26th Menu:
* Blue mac n' cheese - Pasta in a blue cheese-spiked white sauce, topped with minced green onion and chopped walnuts
* Berebere spiced sweet potatoes
* Collard greens
* Grapes
Tuesday, March 24th Menu:
* Wafu gyoza - Japanese-style steam-fried pork and vegetable dumplings with wakame seaweed
* Stir-fried vegetables TBD
* Steamed rice
Wednesday, March 25th Menu:
* Herbed root vegetable and white bean turnovers
* Hard boiled egg
* Salad greens
* Fruit TBD
Thursday, March 26th Menu:
* Blue mac n' cheese - Pasta in a blue cheese-spiked white sauce, topped with minced green onion and chopped walnuts
* Berebere spiced sweet potatoes
* Collard greens
* Grapes
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Mr. Chen's Challenge
For Bento Society members:
I have mentioned this idea to some members but wanted to blog about this: the idea of having you submit your favorite dishes from Mr. Chen's for me to make a version of for a future bento lunch. I realized that I haven't included a Chinese item in your bento lunches yet and this would be one way for me to do that.
One word of caution, though: I've heard that stir-fried rice noodles do not necessarily hold up well in bento - they tend to dry out. I am up for trying any stir-fried dishes served with rice, though!
Let me know what you would like me to make, whether in person or by leaving a comment on this blog or a note in my mailbox at school.
I have mentioned this idea to some members but wanted to blog about this: the idea of having you submit your favorite dishes from Mr. Chen's for me to make a version of for a future bento lunch. I realized that I haven't included a Chinese item in your bento lunches yet and this would be one way for me to do that.
One word of caution, though: I've heard that stir-fried rice noodles do not necessarily hold up well in bento - they tend to dry out. I am up for trying any stir-fried dishes served with rice, though!
Let me know what you would like me to make, whether in person or by leaving a comment on this blog or a note in my mailbox at school.
No Aidan Bento for Week of March 16 - 20, 2009
Notice to Bento Society members:
Next week, Aidan Bento Society will be taking a week off. I will post the menu for the following week next Wednesday, March 18th.
I will also post a sign on the shelf in the upstairs kitchen (behind the table) to make sure that everyone receives notice of this.
In the meantime, I invite you to think about my idea for a Mr. Chen's Challenge!
Thank you for your participation in the society so far! I hope that you have been enjoying your meals.
~Jamie
Next week, Aidan Bento Society will be taking a week off. I will post the menu for the following week next Wednesday, March 18th.
I will also post a sign on the shelf in the upstairs kitchen (behind the table) to make sure that everyone receives notice of this.
In the meantime, I invite you to think about my idea for a Mr. Chen's Challenge!
Thank you for your participation in the society so far! I hope that you have been enjoying your meals.
~Jamie
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Bento menu for Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Here is the currently scheduled menu for March 10 and 11 (no bento delivery on Thursday due to conferences). Main items marked in boldface type. You can sign up in the upstairs kitchen from this Wednesday until Friday (I will be taking all bento boxes home with me at 3:00 pm on Friday).
Tuesday, March 10th Menu:
Pork katsu - breaded pork cutlet
White rice
Greens, TBD
Other vegetable TBD
Wednesday, March 11th Menu:
Yaki onigiri - crispy rice balls with filling - either seasoned salmon or Japanese pickled plum (umeboshi)
Vegetable sides TBD
I will post the menu and sign-up sheet in the upstairs kitchen tomorrow (Wednesday).
Tuesday, March 10th Menu:
Pork katsu - breaded pork cutlet
White rice
Greens, TBD
Other vegetable TBD
Wednesday, March 11th Menu:
Yaki onigiri - crispy rice balls with filling - either seasoned salmon or Japanese pickled plum (umeboshi)
Vegetable sides TBD
I will post the menu and sign-up sheet in the upstairs kitchen tomorrow (Wednesday).
Bento #7: Teriyaki chicken with vegetables (03.03.09)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Snow Day: Message about tomorrow's bento lunches
For Bento Society Members:
Since school was canceled for today, I'm unable to collect the boxes from members who weren't able to bring me their boxes on Friday (one reason why paying me when you receive your box is a good idea, as well as giving me your boxes before the weekend!). Therefore, I'm unfortunately going to have to cancel your order if you haven't given me your box already, apologies for that. What timing, eh?
If, however, you were able to get your box to me by Friday, then your bento will be delivered tomorrow as planned, assuming that school is in session.
Thank you for your understanding. In the future if something like this happens again I will have your phone numbers with me and will give you a call to let you know if an order has been canceled.
Since school was canceled for today, I'm unable to collect the boxes from members who weren't able to bring me their boxes on Friday (one reason why paying me when you receive your box is a good idea, as well as giving me your boxes before the weekend!). Therefore, I'm unfortunately going to have to cancel your order if you haven't given me your box already, apologies for that. What timing, eh?
If, however, you were able to get your box to me by Friday, then your bento will be delivered tomorrow as planned, assuming that school is in session.
Thank you for your understanding. In the future if something like this happens again I will have your phone numbers with me and will give you a call to let you know if an order has been canceled.
Friday, February 27, 2009
...and one other thing, about utensils!
Thanks to all of you who gave me your boxes today, and to those of you who will get them to me Monday - not ideal, but fine for the first week; I expected that there would be some things to negotiate initially.
I realized that I didn't mention anything about utensils - I do not provide utensils - I didn't want to go through disposable utensils (that would be a lot of waste from week to week), so you will have to bring your own. Chopsticks are optional! A fork (and spoon, depending on the menu for the particular day) will be fine.
Thanks and I look forward to delivering your lunches next week!
I realized that I didn't mention anything about utensils - I do not provide utensils - I didn't want to go through disposable utensils (that would be a lot of waste from week to week), so you will have to bring your own. Chopsticks are optional! A fork (and spoon, depending on the menu for the particular day) will be fine.
Thanks and I look forward to delivering your lunches next week!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Bento links of interest
This photo was found here, on the website http://www.chronometrie.com
If you're interested in learning more about bento-making and bento themselves, here are a few links to get you started (further searching will reveal many more!):
Just Bento
Lunch in a Box (like Just Bento, kind of a how-to site for bento makers. The blogger has a young son, so there is a lot of information about packing lunches for children as well as adults)
A Japanese Life of Bento (Just Bento Post)
Take a virtual bento shopping trip in Japan (Just Bento post)
Bento Box (this one is kinda too cutesy for my taste)
A visit to any of the above links will reveal that there are many angles from which to approach bento, from how to adapt recipes so that the food is tasty and safe to eat, from the different types of boxes you can purchase, to how to "cute-ify" (don't know how else to describe it) bento food (usually for children).
The bento lunches that you will be receiving from me are created in the spirit of Japanese bento, although the contents are not necessarily Japanese. Also, I do not create my bento for preschoolers, so don't expect any kyaraben/charaben (cute bento/character bento) from me!
As the first week of bento delivery approaches: More bento box notes
~For society members~
Thank you for all of the orders so far! It's been fun to see all the excitement that this is generating. As we are coming up on Friday (tomorrow, when I will collect your boxes from you for next week's delivery) I had a couple of things that I wanted to address.
A note about the size of your container:
I will be putting the same portion of everything in everyone's box, regardless of the container size, so if you give me a larger box, the contents will not fill the container to the brim.
For example, I will be using a cup measure to measure out rice for rice bentos (1.5 cups most likely) and for things like chicken everyone will get the same number of pieces. Everyone will get the same amount of food.
About foods touching each other:
I am not one of those people who is really particular about different types of food touching each other, and as a menu planner I try to include foods in the same box whose flavors complement each other. That being said, if you are someone who really doesn't like their foods touching each other, I would get a bento box with separate compartments. The Laptop Lunchbox is one that I know of (click on the name to go to the product page on their website).
About purchasing a box especially for bento:
It's fun, but not necessary if you have, for example, a shallow tupperware container of the appropriate size (about 20 ounces). Shallow containers are good because I arrange the food horizontally, not vertically (more pleasing to the eye).
Hope you're having fun with this, I certainly am!
Thank you for all of the orders so far! It's been fun to see all the excitement that this is generating. As we are coming up on Friday (tomorrow, when I will collect your boxes from you for next week's delivery) I had a couple of things that I wanted to address.
A note about the size of your container:
I will be putting the same portion of everything in everyone's box, regardless of the container size, so if you give me a larger box, the contents will not fill the container to the brim.
For example, I will be using a cup measure to measure out rice for rice bentos (1.5 cups most likely) and for things like chicken everyone will get the same number of pieces. Everyone will get the same amount of food.
About foods touching each other:
I am not one of those people who is really particular about different types of food touching each other, and as a menu planner I try to include foods in the same box whose flavors complement each other. That being said, if you are someone who really doesn't like their foods touching each other, I would get a bento box with separate compartments. The Laptop Lunchbox is one that I know of (click on the name to go to the product page on their website).
About purchasing a box especially for bento:
It's fun, but not necessary if you have, for example, a shallow tupperware container of the appropriate size (about 20 ounces). Shallow containers are good because I arrange the food horizontally, not vertically (more pleasing to the eye).
Hope you're having fun with this, I certainly am!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Aidan Bento Society : Welcome and Information
Welcome to the Aidan Bento Society, where Aidan faculty and staff can enjoy a delicious bento lunch prepared by me. This post will help you familiarize yourself with how our "society" works.
Bento philosophy and contents
First of all, what does "bento" refer to? Essentially, the term bento (or obento, with the honorific) is a Japanese term used to describe a meal in a box. There are many different types of bento, and a thriving bento-making culture in Japan (and, increasingly, here in the U.S.). I take much of my bento-making inspiration from Maki, the blogger behind Just Bento. Her website contains a lot of interesting and useful bento-related information, including recipes! I definitely owe this undertaking to her.
My bento lunches are basically planned according to Japanese bento principles as described on the Just Bento website, with a 4:2:1 ratio between rice/carbs, protein, and others (vegetables, mostly). Sometimes I will include a sweet treat, like fruit or a dessert. When you order a lunch from me, you will basically be getting what I am already making for me and Matt for lunch - this isn't leftovers, I'll just be making larger quantities of the same food that I've already planned for our bento lunches. We are adventurous eaters and like spicy food, so be forewarned! I will try to include as much information about the main dish as possible (including spiciness, for example) so you can make an informed decision. Most bento will be suitable at room temperature – no need to reheat. I will indicate if a particular bento needs to be refrigerated or would benefit from reheating.
Prices
A full bento lunch is $7. If you only want the main dish, it's $4. The weekly sign-up sheet (see below, under "Logistics") will indicate (using boldface type) what the main dish on a particular day includes.
Logistics
I only offer lunches Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays when school is in session. You will have to plan ahead if you want to order a bento from me – I will post the menu and sign-up sheet the Wednesday before, on the table in the upstairs kitchen. Orders will close two days later, each Friday. Some weeks I will give you a complete menu, while other weeks I will only have the main dish determined. You will need to provide me with an empty bento box (see suggestions under “Container guidelines,” below). I will collect your bento boxes each Friday. Just place your boxes on my desk on the second floor, with your name marked on the box, by 3:00 pm. No substitutions or special requests, please. Cash only, and on delivery. Bento will be dropped off Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 10:30-10:45 am in the kitchen – I will leave them on the table.
Container guidelines
As a member of the Aidan Bento Society, you will be asked to provide your own bento box for me to fill. Please mark your box clearly with your name. If you are trying to limit your calorie intake, you can simply choose a smaller box. It may be that you do not have to purchase a new box for this.
Maki at Just Bento has a very detailed guide to selecting a bento box, here. Basically, a lot of different containers can work for a bento; you don't necessarily need to purchase a special one just for your Bento Society lunches, although admittedly having your lunch served to you in a pretty container is appealing.
I use Lustroware (a Japanese brand) boxes for me and my husband, purchased from the Container Store (got the idea from JK, so all three of us currently use the same box!) Mine holds 650 ml and my husband's holds 850 ml. They are clear plastic and have a clear lid with a metal bar closure (? don't know how else to describe it) on either side.
Still curious?
If you're still curious about what goes into my boxes, see these posts for descriptions of previous bento lunches made for JK: Bento #1, Bento #2, Bento #3, Bento #4, Bento #5, and Bento #6.
Welcome to the "club"!
~Jamie
Bento philosophy and contents
First of all, what does "bento" refer to? Essentially, the term bento (or obento, with the honorific) is a Japanese term used to describe a meal in a box. There are many different types of bento, and a thriving bento-making culture in Japan (and, increasingly, here in the U.S.). I take much of my bento-making inspiration from Maki, the blogger behind Just Bento. Her website contains a lot of interesting and useful bento-related information, including recipes! I definitely owe this undertaking to her.
My bento lunches are basically planned according to Japanese bento principles as described on the Just Bento website, with a 4:2:1 ratio between rice/carbs, protein, and others (vegetables, mostly). Sometimes I will include a sweet treat, like fruit or a dessert. When you order a lunch from me, you will basically be getting what I am already making for me and Matt for lunch - this isn't leftovers, I'll just be making larger quantities of the same food that I've already planned for our bento lunches. We are adventurous eaters and like spicy food, so be forewarned! I will try to include as much information about the main dish as possible (including spiciness, for example) so you can make an informed decision. Most bento will be suitable at room temperature – no need to reheat. I will indicate if a particular bento needs to be refrigerated or would benefit from reheating.
Prices
A full bento lunch is $7. If you only want the main dish, it's $4. The weekly sign-up sheet (see below, under "Logistics") will indicate (using boldface type) what the main dish on a particular day includes.
Logistics
I only offer lunches Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays when school is in session. You will have to plan ahead if you want to order a bento from me – I will post the menu and sign-up sheet the Wednesday before, on the table in the upstairs kitchen. Orders will close two days later, each Friday. Some weeks I will give you a complete menu, while other weeks I will only have the main dish determined. You will need to provide me with an empty bento box (see suggestions under “Container guidelines,” below). I will collect your bento boxes each Friday. Just place your boxes on my desk on the second floor, with your name marked on the box, by 3:00 pm. No substitutions or special requests, please. Cash only, and on delivery. Bento will be dropped off Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 10:30-10:45 am in the kitchen – I will leave them on the table.
Container guidelines
As a member of the Aidan Bento Society, you will be asked to provide your own bento box for me to fill. Please mark your box clearly with your name. If you are trying to limit your calorie intake, you can simply choose a smaller box. It may be that you do not have to purchase a new box for this.
Maki at Just Bento has a very detailed guide to selecting a bento box, here. Basically, a lot of different containers can work for a bento; you don't necessarily need to purchase a special one just for your Bento Society lunches, although admittedly having your lunch served to you in a pretty container is appealing.
I use Lustroware (a Japanese brand) boxes for me and my husband, purchased from the Container Store (got the idea from JK, so all three of us currently use the same box!) Mine holds 650 ml and my husband's holds 850 ml. They are clear plastic and have a clear lid with a metal bar closure (? don't know how else to describe it) on either side.
Still curious?
If you're still curious about what goes into my boxes, see these posts for descriptions of previous bento lunches made for JK: Bento #1, Bento #2, Bento #3, Bento #4, Bento #5, and Bento #6.
Welcome to the "club"!
~Jamie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
