Bento #2 - Bento-ing again ...

Recently bento is the way to go to prepare kids food. Had been seeing quite a lots of bento sets on Facebook and I am so inspired.

1st, I need to get my hands on a tamago pan because both my boys like tamago and I thought it would be a good ingredient to start with. So ... off I went to Daiso to pick up my cheap pan plus some bento making kits.


Tamago

Found a really easy to follow recipe online and after trying it then realised that it was not that difficult after all. Before that, all the layering and folding of the egg etc had kinda put me off to making tamago.


Other than the egg being slightly burnt, it was not bad for beginners.


Let's get BENTO-ing

With the tamago I'd made, I made this for the boy's dinner on 20 June. My boys found it cute and ate up their dinner in record timing. How inspiring ...

** Sushi Rice + Tamago with Pork Floss Toppings **
** Cheddar Cheese Pork Sausages **

Check out how it was done HERE ^_^.


Being inspired by my boys, I started to read more on making bentos online and sourcing for ideas. There is really lots to learn online and I'd picked up quite a bit of tips and tricks through my research. While still researching, my good friend and spurred me on to pick up a challenge ... that is to make an ANGRY BIRD bento by showing me this picture!!!


Isn't it cute!!! And when my boys are head over heals with the birds, she got to show me that!!! All because of my boys' love, I was so tempted to give it a try. I'd stared at pictures of Angry Bird bentos for the next few days, and finally I surrender and decided to make it for my little ones on 26 June. BUT ... only 1 type of bird for now ...

** 'Angry Bird' Rice Onigiri **
** Potato and Cheese Balls **
** Grilled Chicken with Yakitori Sauce **
** Yakitori Corn Kennels **

Not really happy with the final result but not bad for the 1st try. I promised the boys to try again and to make more birds ... guess it is time to source for more equipments and read up more on bento skills.


As I read on during my research, I came upon very interested food preparation method. Came by this DOMO character potato croquettes from Anna The Red's Bento Factory. I think it is damn cute and not very difficult to make and hence decided to give it a try for the boys on 27 June.

** 'Domo' Potato Croquettes **
** Angel Hair Pasta with Tomato Mushroom Sauce **

Click HERE for my own version of the croquettes.

I was so into making these cute DOMO monsters, I'd decided to make more of it for a picnic with my boys at the zoo on 29 June.

Experiments in my Kitchen ...

Haven been able to update what I have been up to in my kitchen recently. Now finally got the time to share ... Bon Appetit ^_^


Mushroom Bruschetta

** Click HERE for recipe **

We had lunch at Marina Bay Financial Centre and after that went for a walk at Marina Bay Link. We passed by The Soup Spoon and I saw pre-made mushroom soup available for sale. Suddenly having a mushroom craving, I'd decided to make a mushroom meal dinner for the boys.

To pair with the mushroom soup, I'd decided to make Mushroom Bruschetta as their carbo in take. Guess what, it was well liked by the boys. Initially I thought it might be a little mushroom overdose for them but who knows ... both of them enjoyed the meal.


Fun with Bread/Cookie Moulds

Since I had a collection of moulds, school holidays is the best time to take them out to use because I got all the time in the morning to prepare breakfast for myself and the boys.

** Isn't this adorable ... made this for myself. Sealed off the sides of the bread with a sandwich mould and add on kitty face with my cookie mould. **

** Tried out my new bought mini mickey cutters with bread n cheese for the boys. **

** Tested out more new moulds ... simply love the deep indentations **

Chocolate Making

Finally I picked up the courage to try making CHOCOLATES!!!

Well actually there's a reason behind the push. Oswald wanted a Dinosaur Themed Birthday Party at school. To make sure that everyone in class gets a dinosaur in an inexpensive way, I've only got this choice!!! Plus my SIL was so sweet to pick up the dinosaur chocolate mould from Phoon Huat for me. So, why not give it a go and if it fails, then at least I still got time to think of alternatives.

Did lots of read ups and asking around ... I even bought a book on chocolate for reference. Finally I put my hands on making it ... and the result ...

** Couverture Milk Chocolate with Dark Chocolate Truffle Fillings. **

I only know that it was couverture chocolate when I was extracting the chocolate from the mould. During extraction, chocolate snaps easily and melts very fast. This only happend when couverture chocolate is not tempered properly. But when I purchased the chocolate, I had ask for compound chocolate specifically and was told that it was compound chocolate. Kinda felt cheated but the chocolate taste really good.

** Compound White Chocolate with Dark Chocolate Truffle Fillings. **

Though the taste of previous batch of chocolate was heaven but don't think I am ready to temper with chocolate yet. This time round, tried making chcolate again and using COMPOUND chocolate. I had choosen white chocolate because I wanted to experiment with colours. Added a few drops of green into my white chocolate and the color turned out quite pretty.

Upon comparison, compound chocolate is really much easier to work with. No more breakage and melting during extraction. Of course, the taste will lose out a bit but don't think kids will be able to tell much of a difference hehehe. Now, can make colorful dinosaurs for Oswald cuppies for school party!!!


Birthday!!!

Due to my pregnancy, I was totally out of mood during my 1st trimester and only till recently then I am feeling good enough to start things in the house again. I had missed out on making my own and hubby's birthday cake hence I gave it a go to make my MIL one.

Had asked my boys on how should I decorate the cake and trust me ... never ask a child for opinion if not ... your cake will turn out this way ...


Oh yes ... is a DINOSAUR themed cake. LOL ... this is what you get for an answer when you ask 2 boys who are crazy over dinosaurs now.

Took a green tea cake base recipe from Okashi Treats: Sweet Treats Made With Love and then filled the layers up with Azuki Beans and whipped cream then followed up with the decorations.

Despite the kiddish decoration, which all the kids at the table were so excited about, everyone else like the taste of the cake. So overall, the cake was cute on the outside ... but tasty on the inside hahahaha satisfy both kids and adults.


That's not all that I've been churning out from my kitchen recently ... there's more to come. Check out on my next post on my crazy over bento making for my boys.

Announcement Day!!!

Today is my appointment at the hospital for my detail scan.

Guess what ... baby No. 3 ... is a BOY!!!

Yes ... another boy. How I wish it was a girl ... oh well.

Now really got to think hard to find another O name for no. 3. It was quite difficult to decide Owein's name 4 years back. Now, another boy, it will really be a challange for me ...

Bento #1 - Smiley Sausages

Fridays is always a rush for me even when my in-laws could help baby sit my boys before I go pick them for their music class. But not as bad as the current situation because my in-laws will make sure that they wake up in time to have an early dinner and just in time for me to pick them.

Now, we've got relatives here for visit and are staying at my in-laws place, hence no more such convinence and I've got to take over all the task including feeding the boys before their lesson.

Due to time constrain, got to 'resort' to making food looks interesting and easy to eat ...

** Rice Cubes seasoned with Furikake + Smiley Cheese Sausage **

A quick meal prepared within 1/2 hour for the boys to eat in the car on the way to music lesson. Most importantly, it entice the boys to eat and they finish up everything withing the short 20 mins ride from CCK to Clementi.

Updates!!! ... *long over due* ^_^

Phew ... it really had been quite awhile since I last updated. This 3rd pregnancy is really getting into me and in addition got to take care of 2 growing tods. It was a real challenge but I guess the worst had gone because I am feeling less tired and got a bit more energy to get things going.

Not sure where to start since I had not been blogging for so long. Hmm ... let's start with the youngest 1st.

Baby No. 3 - Growing well inside and I am starting to feel more of his/her movement. Currently in my 20th week of pregnancy but we have yet to know baby's gender. We had wanted to find out badly during my 16th week checkup but baby's position was not really ideal to give a confirm answer. Will be going for my detail scan tomorrow ... we should be able to know gender by then. *Though it a bit too late, but I am still hoping hard for a girl*

Double O's - The boys are having a hell lots of fun. First of all, they are having their June Holidays. Their days are packed with activities either at home or outside and they get to eat nicely prepared meals by mummy. Secondly, their from USA are here for a visit. So, in addition to all activities mummy had lined up for them, they get to hang out with their cousins too. How exciting!!!


Here's a list of what we did this holiday ... (be prepared, it is gona be a long one!!! ^_^)

31 May - Thomas 'LIVE' Show at Jurong Point.


We headed down to JP really early to be sure that we get a chance to meet Thomas close up. Organiser only allow 1st 50 kids for the meet up session. After our brunch at MacDonalds and a short walk around, we joined the queue at about 12pm for the show which only starts at 1pm. Even though we were almost an hour early, Oswald n Owein is already the 6th and 7th kid to be admitted. Talking abount being KS ... sometimes you just got to follow the flow else you lose out :p


3 June - Short Visit to the Zoo.

While Oswald is having fun at Bible Camp, I'd decided to bring Owein out to the Zoo to meet up with Peggy and her friend for a short while. If I recall correctly, this would be the 1st time that Owein explore the Zoo without his stroller ... and too bad for him, mummy can't carry him even though he is tired. But he had been good and was on his feet the whole time we were there. His reward ... a hand painting of a Dinosaur!!! hehehehe



13 June - Playtime at The Playhouse @ Rochester.


I had been wanting to check out this place for the longest time but never had the chance to do so. Finally managed to get it done this holiday.

It is a very interesting place indeed and the kids love it there. Only downside is the kids menu looks more interesting that their usual menu ... lol. But it is really a good place for mummies to hang out because the kids will be too busy playing and being entertained in the play room to bother their mummies. I had a good time relaxing at the cafe with my friend Peggy.


15 June - At the Zoo with the Sterlings.

The Sterlings are heading to the zoo and I'd decided to bring the boys to go join them. Bringing 5 active boys out is not a joke but glad that the boys enjoyed themselves. Oswald's greatest achievement, at least that's what I think, is that he had tried to feed the Rinos. Something which I had never expect but guess what, he did not 'shy' off and even attempts to do it. Great job Oswald!!!

We stayed a good 4 hours there before we had to head home for Oswald's nap because he had got TKD class at night. I was totally drained and the drive home seems so long even though it is just a short drive back ...



16 June - It's Grandma's BIRTHDAY!!!


It is grandma's birthday today and upon request of the boys, I had to make a DINOSAUR cake for grandma. What a theme and I swear never to ask the boy's opinion on cake decoration anymore. Brought the boys out for a quick lunch and to get the ingredients for decorating the cake ... after a few hours of 'hard work' ... finally got the cake done up in time for the night's dinner surprise. *see above for the cake design*

I'd made Green Tea Red Bean Cake for my MIL and everyone likes it. Gotten quite good reviews for the cake *blush*. Anyway glad that everyone likes it ... even the kids went 'woh' about it ... all thanks to the cake decoration hahahaha.

At last, completed my updates for the meantime. Time to take a break ... till my next post ... CIAO ^_^