Quiches

Sad, sad news. 

Bob has lost his bento box. We think it might have been the janitorial staff at his work, but how someone could have confused his nice box with Tupperware is beyond me. The black beauty had its run, though, and lasted over a year in spite of bumps and a broken hinge. Other than that, it was very sturdy and didn't get ratty like most plastics. For now, Bobbers will be toting disposables, but we'll get him a new one soon enough.

Tomorrow's meal will be mini quiches, smoked turkey octodogs, and apple bunnies. I love eggs. They're something of a super food in my mind because they can be anything you want and give you protein for minimal calories. I know some people harp on the "cholesterol" tangent, but eggs contain a good cholesterol that actually helps clear away the plaque kind that builds up in the arteries. Besides, anything in moderation is fair enough, and these puffy, spinach-packed bites are just that. The hot dogs were a surprising treat because cooking them filled the kitchen with a pleasant smokey smell, and the turkey meat means less fuss over fats. Normally, I don't pack a box with mostly proteins, but these two were healthy enough in their small doses.

Another staple of the bento box, the apple bunnies make their appearance here. I'll have to do these as my next tutorial, but for now, shiny red apples and a fruit paring knife will easily get you started in fruit carving for the boxes. Most people will carve out the ears and dip them in ice water so they stand up, but a quick triangle cut shallowly into the skin gets you the same look with little effort. I'll even carve these out for the Manbearpig when we're at home. You can also try cutting into veggies to get finicky eaters interested in the treats. For the boxes, just a splash of lemon juice and water will keep these fresh.

Happy cooking!