Bento Gadgets, and Molded Eggs (not moldy) :D

Someone had asked me how my molded eggs turned out. So I thought I would re-post this one from The Tiny Skillet and show you what I did with my bento gadgets that I have. I am going to try out my egg molds! I got a set from Ann at Anncoo Journal and Wendy from Wendolonia. I have already tried and used my picks and rice molds, and they work great and Maranda loves the rice balls anytime, for lunch or snacks!

For the rice balls in this bento I used a rice and grain blend, that I got the idea from sherimiya at Happy Little Bento. She had some red rice and white rice mixed with a few other grains. So when I found some red rice I decided to try it, especially since I've been buying several new rice and grains to try. We had this for dinner and I used the leftover for the rice balls. I really liked it, but Wade thought it needed a little more flavor...okay that's easy enough to do.

Back to the egg mold. One set was all in Japanese and I can't read that yet. The other had instructions in English too. I also checked the great directions that Maki had on her Just Hungry

blog, she also has a Just Bento blog that has a wealth of information if you want to start making bento box lunches.

First thing is to boil and peel the eggs. I hate peeling fresh eggs, they are so hard to peel! Ack!

Then place the warm peeled egg in the mold. (it looks all beat up) I placed it in warm water right before using the mold.

Okay... now I used a large egg in a large mold. I think I need an extra large egg here. These molds should work well for rice balls too, which is what Maranda wanted to use them for. Looks like this one will become egg salad!

The next mold is marked large too...but this was from the other set. A much nicer looking egg.

Close the lid and snap it shut, and put it in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.

Ta-Da!! This one worked! That was fun!

I had these cookie cutters that will also leave and impression. I found that Publix brand wheat bread is soft enough to use for this. Usually you would have to use white bread, so this was nice.

I found this little boiled egg holder. They had a sheep too, but we don't always sit down and eat boiled eggs much so I just got one for photos. It did remind me of my childhood when we use to use egg holders.

Martha from Seaside Simplicity had once said that using ice cube trays are a good way to keep extra lemon, and key lime juice. I ran across these (on clearance of course $2). This will be perfect when our lemon tree has all those lemons I don't want to go to want it to go to waste. Also you won't have this happen to you when you get it mixed up with something else!

Then I picked up these handy storage trays half off at Michael's that work great for my food picks. The other one was for my baran (food dividers).

Best of all it fits perfect in the tiny drawer that I have for my lunch making supplies. I have a few more silicone cups and picks since the photo was taken, but it's nice to have a place to put things.
Ho hum...too much for you?

I think that's enough busy work for for now. Have a wonderful day!

Old Bento #4

This was first posted on The Tiny Skillet im May of this year.
I found out about this give away that Wendy was having at her blog Wendolonia. I was on
I was thrilled that I was selected, because being fairly new to bento making (although I've been looking into it and checking out everyone bentos for awhile now). I really didn't have much bento gadgets. I had some lunch boxes that would work. I even got a large bento for Christmas from a co-worker, but it's so large for lunch. Anyway when Wendy contacted me and asked what I would like...I told her anything would be great! So this is what I won...

Two egg molds, a bunny and a bear. Now I have to learn how to use it. Rice molds, heart, star, and bear. A nice neutral bento box, that I could even use for my husband. Some dividers and "I tried something new" tags.

Then at I found these cutters clearance at Home Goods! I like when that happens.

They have small shapes that would work well for many things. Bonus, it has little chocolate molds too. Who knows what I could come up with with the letters!

I made some saffron sticky rice and I thought I would give the mold a shot. When Maranda saw it she said "Oh cool can I have one?" and popped it in her mouth. I guess that will work for her lunch. I did this one real quick this morning, just so I could use the bear. Didn't get the nori out to cut yet, but did use the star cutter on a spinach leaf to the star onigri under the bear onigri. She still likes to have sandwiches in her lunch.

Too quick on the photo, didn't get a clear picture, but you get the idea. She even said she like her lunch all on her own without me asking.

Thanks Wendy! You helped my bento box making a little easier and a little more fun! Next...I'm tackling the egg molds!