Once upon a time, there was a girl named Little Red Riding Hood who lived in a village near a forest. One morning, she put on her red cloak and ventured into the forest to visit her grandmother, carrying this tasty bento box in her basket!
Little Red Riding Hood & Her Basket
❥ 1 sheet nori ❥ 1 pink rice ball and 1 white rice ball ❥ 1 slice salami ❥ 1 slice white cheese ❥ 1 sprig of fresh chervil or parsley ❥ 1 small piece uncooked spaghetti noodle ❥ 2 lettuce leaves
1. Wrap thin strips of nori around the pink rice ball in a basket-weave pattern. Cut a half circle out of nori for her hair. Cut the salami into a rectangle; wrap it around half the white rice ball. Use a straw to cut two rosy cheeks out of leftover salami.
2. Cut two teardrop eyes and a smile out of nori. Use a mini flower cutter to make a cheese flower. Use a straw to cut the center out of left- over salami, and use the spaghetti to pin it to the hood on top of a sprig of parsley. Use a small straw to cut a cheese nose.
3. Put Little Red Riding Hood and her basket on top of the lettuce in the bento box.
Strawberry-Mint Flowers
❥ 2 or 3 strawberries ❥ a few sprigs fresh mint
1. Cut off strawberry stems and replace them with fresh mint for a rosy, edible bouquet.
Calamari Tempura
❥ a few pieces squid or shrimp ❥ 1 tbsp flour, plus more to dust ❥ a few sprigs fresh basil or parsley ❥ 1 baby carrot, thinly sliced ❥ a few tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1. Chop squid or shrimp into thin strips. Dust with flour. Roughly chop the herbs.
2. To make a tempura batter, combine 1 tbsp flour with 1⁄2 tbsp ice water. Dip the squid or shrimp, carrots, and herbs in the batter. Fry them in oil over medium heat until crispy and golden brown.
Japanese Veggie Salad
❥ 1⁄2 cup daikon radish ❥ 3 baby carrots ❥ 1⁄4 cup cucumber, peeled ❥ 1 tbsp mayo ❥ pinch of salt ❥ 1 tsp white sesame seeds
1. Cut thin sticks of daikon radish, carrot, and cucumber or other veggies. Stir in mayo, salt, and sesame seeds. Place salad in a cupcake cup to separate it from the other foods in the box.
