Inari Sushi Bento ~Year of Monkey~

Almost new year already.....
Happy year of Monkey!

I cut inari sushi pouch and stuff rice inside.
Here is my bento page on Japan Up! magazine Feb issue;)
Please pick it up at your local restaurants or Japanese grocery stores!! (in LA and OC )

Tofu Dumplings Panda Bento

I made this bento for Japan Up! magazine Jan issue!
This month's theme is tofu, so I made healthy tofu shumai, (kinda dumplings)
Instead of wrapping fillings with wan ton square wraps, I cut them and coat the fillings with them,
Please see below for more details.

Tofu Dumplings

200g Tofu

100g Ground Chicken

1/4  Onion, minced

2tbs Soy Sauce

1tbs Sugar

1/2tbs Sesame Oil

2tbs Potato Starch

1/4tsp  Ginger, grated

20 Won Ton Square Wraps

1. Drain tofu well. (see my blog post "how to press and drain tofu) Mix all the ingredients besides wraps.

2. Cut square wraps into short strips as shown.

3. Shape the tofu mixture into desired size and place on the strips. Coat the tofu balls with the strips. Press firmly to secure strips stick to tofu balls.

4. Steam for about 15 mins.

Panda

   

1. Cut a couple strips of spaghetti into 1-2 inch segments and pan-fry. 

2. Put a black bean on top of the pasta. Repeat 8 times. Carefully insert the pasta into the tofu dumpling where you want to add ears and eyes.

3. Poke a slice of cheese with a boba straw to create nose outlines for panda. Or carve with a toothpick.

4. Carefully move the nose to the face.

5. Cut a piece of nori seaweed to create noses and place on the cheese.