I made this fun meal for myself. (I also ate the scraps). Go here to see more of my space collection.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: UFO – Cheese quesadilla cut with a cookie cutter (Renae printed it for me a few years ago.), blueberries
Top Right: Alien – Apple cut with a cookie cutter with cinnamon details, walnuts
Bottom Right: Stars – Carrot cut with a cookie cutter, lettuce
When my parents visited, one night for dinner we had individual cauliflower gratin with coconut bacon. We like coconut bacon. I made and shared it once before. We enjoyed this meal.
Individual Cauliflower Gratin: Cook cauliflower florets in boiling water until tender then drain. Make homemade cheese sauce. Mix cheese sauce with cauliflower then put into individual oven proof dishes. Sprinkle some bread crumbs on top. Bake at 350 until heated and browned. Serve with coconut bacon.
In honor of Earth Day, I made this meal.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Earth – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, cream cheese with butterfly pea powder, pesto, black beans pureed with salsa and balsamic vinegar
Top Right: Tree – Zucchini cut with a cookie cutter and brushed with matcha powder and black bean puree, pistachio nuts
Bottom Right: Heart – Cut-out on apple
My 25 year old niece came over for dinner and to discuss our summer Japan trip plans. The plans are coming along.
Puff Pastry Asparagus Cheddar Bundles – We didn’t use the egg.
Spiral Carrots – Fresh lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper
Paczki – Niece made and brought these
I am interested in the idea of using the hasselback technique on a variety of fruit and vegetables. Previously, I have shared hasselbacked zucchini, and butternut squash. Today I have beets. So far, they are my favorite. It makes them more fun to eat.
I selected small beets, boiled them in water first until slightly tender, then cut, brushed with olive oil and roasted until fully tender. I served it with a simple salad of spinach, toasted walnuts and goat cheese.
This is my collection of meals with tortellini. As with my other collections, I will update when I create something new.
HOMEMADE TORTELLINI
Pumpkin Tortellini with Brown Butter Sauce
Homemade Cheese Tortellini with Vodka Sauce
ANIMAL
Goat Cheddar with Italian Dressing Tortellini Salad
Seagull Cheddar with Oil and Vinegar Tortellini Salad
Sheep Cheddar with Italian Dressing Tri-Color Tortellini Salad
Pig Cheddar with Spinach, Oil and Vinegar Tortellini
Elephant Cheddar over Tortellini with Vodka Sauce
CHRISTMAS
Snowman Cheddar over Italian Dressing Tri-Color Tortellini Salad
Angels Cheddar with Oil and Vinegar Tortellini Salad
ST PATRICK’S DAY
Leprechaun Cheese over Tortellini with Vodka Sauce
PLANTS
Cactus Dill Havarti over Oil and Vinegar Tortellini Salad
WEATHER
Cloud Cheddar over Oil and Vinegar Tortellini Salad
ON STICK
Tri- Color Cheese Tortellini, Cherry Tomatoes, Black Olives, and Fresh Mozzarella Balls
Tri- Color Cheese Tortellini, Cherry Tomatoes, Black Olives, and Fresh Mozzarella Balls
MISC
Today I have another Featured Ingredient meal – almonds. I made almond tomato pesto for the first time and I loved it!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Almonds and Sun Dried Tomatoes Pesto Pasta
Top Right: Smoked almonds
Bottom Right: Slivered almonds with raspberries and lettuce
My town is in the path of totality of the Solar Eclipse. We will experience it at 3:20 pm today. I have seen one partial solar eclipse (2017) and a few lunar eclipse. It will be my first total Solar Eclipse. It seems like everyone is taking about the eclipse. I heard a few people complain about eclipse mania. Schools are closed. Many stores will close during totality. In my opinion it is something different and more fun to think about than many horrible things in the world. Also, I always like an occasion for cute food! I am planning on viewing it from my yard or with my 92 year old neighbor. Usually it is cloudy this time of year but scientists say it will still be a unique experience for the 3.5 minutes of totality even it if it cloudy.
I enjoy creating themed food for holidays, special occasions, life and historical events. I should make food for these occasions more often because they are often some of my favorite creations.
Solar Eclipse Tostada – Tortilla with mashed black beans and salsa, orange bell pepper, carrots cut with a cookie cutter (I was inspired by this.)
Eclipse Salad – Moons – cucumber cut with a cookie cutter, fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes
Eclipse Fruit – Blueberries in round cookie cutter, pineapple (I was inspired by this.)
I went to Trader Joes to see what they had for the eclipse – only the above closing announcement sign and some black and white cookies. I also found the same at Tops Supermarket – black and white cookies.
My favorite Wegmans decorated festively for the eclipse. They had star balloons, themed shirts, sunflowers and metallic roses (gold or silver), and many themed sweets. Here are some photos I took in the store. I enjoyed the festive atmosphere and of course the Behind the Moon cheese tray!
I made this rain themed lunch for myself. Others in this series are here.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Umbrellas– Zucchini, carrot, potato cut with a cookie cutter then roasted, blue cheese
Top Right: Marcona Almonds with Rosemary
Bottom Right: Clouds – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, blueberries
I invited Renae, Jeff, Natalie, Elizabeth, and Jeff’s parents to join me and my parents for our traditional bread the day before Easter. There were 9 of us. As usual, it was fun setting a beautiful table. The food served as the table decor, especially the basket bread and Cheddar and grapes flowers.
Table:
Brunch Menu:
Dessert Menu:
My critique of the meal: We all enjoyed the food, decorations and company. The pesto chickpea salad was a surprise hit but I will add more feta when I make it again. The mini crescent dough pizzas worked to save time but I prefer the taste of traditional crust when I have more time or forethought to make and freeze. They were a last minute addition to the menu. The lemon cream cheese frosted cookies were refreshing and delicious! It was wonderful that we could all enjoy this meal together. I think that everyone enjoyed.
I made this imprint Easter egg meal for myself. I was inspired by my Conversation Hearts lunch.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Easter Eggs – Blue mashed potatoes with butterfly pea flower powder, Yellow mashed potatoes with turmeric, cut and imprint with Easter Egg imprint cookie cutter set, wilted spinach with ricotta cheese
Top Right: Smoked almonds
Bottom Right: Blueberries and raspberries
I made this Bunny Peep themed meal for myself. I experimented for the first time with natural pink dye – crushed raspberry with water.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Pink Peep – Nishiki rice shaped in a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, brushed with raspberry juice (crushed raspberry with a little water), Face details – Cut blueberry, roasted asparagus
Top Right: Roasted Marcona Almonds
Bottom Right: Kiwi and raspberries
I made this simple but cheerful chick themed bento lunch.
Container: Cloud box from Japan (set of 3)
Top Box: Chicks – Cantaloupe cut with an imprint cookie cutter, blueberries
Bottom Box: Chicks – Turmeric mashed potatoes cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – Dried blueberry, Beak – Orange cheddar, green peas
I made this colorful unicorn lunch for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Unicorn – Daikon radish cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker details, carrot and zucchini noodles
Top Right: Pistachio nuts
Bottom Right: Blueberries
Mini Dippers: Ricotta and salsa
Elephant is probably my most requested theme. Many times I then ask the person for their second choice since I have made a lot of elephants. Here is my collection!
POLENTA
RICE
Rice with Dried Blueberry Eyes
CRACKER
MAC & CHEESE
SANDWICH
STENCIL
VEGETABLE
FRUIT
PANCAKE
TORTILLA CHIPS
PIZZA
BREAD
MASHED POTATO
CHEESE
MISC
Cheese, Cinnamon Tortilla Chips, Apple
I made this cheese Leprechaun meal to add to my St. Patrick’s Day collection. This is only my third Leprechaun meal!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Leprechaun – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker details, cheese tortellini with Vodka Sauce
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Shamrocks – Zucchini cut with a cookie cutter, spinach
I made this meal for Carol and me. I grew up eating rutabaga but my family called it turnip. I thought it would be fun to make rutabaga soup. It was a fun dinner.
Creamy Roasted Rutabaga Soup – a dash of cream and dried parsley garnish
Celtic Knot Rolls – My store didn’t have scallions so I used dried chives with the brushed butter topper
I made this meal for myself. I had a lot of shamrocks in my St. Patrick’s collection but didn’t have one made from polenta with pesto.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Shamrock – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, pesto, mashed cauliflower
Top Right: Shamrocks – Honeydew melon cut with a cookie cutter
Bottom Right: Shamrocks – Cucumber cut with a cookie cutter
I made this meal for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Fish – Nishiki rice shaped in a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, cheddar broiled on top, spinach details (eye cut with a paper straw) roasted broccoli
Top Right: Pepitas
Bottom Right: Fish – Radish cut with a cookie cutter, brushed with matcha powder, blackberries
I made this meal for myself. I enjoy making food for this series.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Teddy Bears – Cheddar cheese (cinnamon details), bell pepper, potato (roasted) cut with a cookie cutter, hummus
Top Right: Trader Joes Chili Lime Almonds
Bottom Right: Teddy Bear – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, cinnamon
I often celebrate the beginning of March with lamb or lion food. This year I garnished a salad with cheese cut-outs.
Lamb – White Cheddar cut with a cookie cutter, food marker details
Lion – Orange Cheddar cut with a cookie cutter, food marker details
Wegmans Spiced Apple Chopped Salad kit
I made this in honor of Leap Year. My 2020 Leap Year meal is here.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Leap Year – Carrots cut with a cookie cutter, Frogs – Radish cut with a cookie cutter, rubbed with matcha powder, Lily Pads – Spinach, mashed blue potato
Right Side: Frog – Green apple cut with a cookie cutter, blueberries
I made this meal for myself. Peanut noodles are often a lunch staple for me but I have not made them in awhile.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Whale – Zucchini cut with a cookie cutter, Water Spout – carrot cut with a knife, peanut noodles
Top Right: Pistachio nuts
Bottom Right: Seahorse – Apple cut with a cookie cutter and brushed with cinnamon, blueberries
I made this cardinal themed lunch for myself.
Container: Wooden box purchased in Kyoto at Bento&co.
Contents: Cardinal – Mashed potato with tomato paste cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – Dried blueberry, Beak – Black sesame seeds, green pimento olives, broccoli, macadamia nuts, lettuce, Nest – Spiral carrots, Eggs – Mozzarella balls
I made this meal for myself. The tortellini has a delicious Vodka Sauce.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Elephants – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker details, cheese tortellini with Vodka Sauce
Top Right: Pepitas
Bottom Right: Elephant – Bell pepper cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker detail, spinach
I made this meal for myself. I didn’t realize when I roasted the potatoes that as teeth they don’t look as healthy. It is always fun to make food in this series.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Teeth – Cheddar cheese, bell pepper, potato (roasted) cut with a cookie cutter, hummus
Top Right: Almonds
Bottom Right: Teeth – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, orange
For this meal, I resurrected a series I have not visited in awhile, Featured Ingredient. All of my past meals in this series were made in this style box and included 3 recipes that incorporated the featured ingredient. Today I have pistachio nuts.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Pistachio Falafel with Yogurt Sauce (the sauce even has pistachio in it!)
Top Right: Pistachio Energy Ball
Bottom Right: Chocolate Pistachio Kiwi
I enjoy changing the seasonal decorations in my beautiful home. My focus is on my dining room and the floating shelves in the first floor hallway. My Mom thinks I should decorate practically everywhere but it is enough for me to focus on these two areas.
My dining room Valentine decorations are similar to last year but I added the peony topiaries from my summer decorations and kept the gingerbread houses from Christmas since they work for winter / Valentine’s day. My corner shelves reuse some items but are completely different from last year.
Meal: Hearts – Fresh Mozzarella cut with a cookie cutter, roasted eggplant, pasta, tomato sauce
Drink: Sparkling water
Snowman: my niece (from marriage) gave this to me for Christmas a long time ago. She made it from gourds.
Honeycomb Heart
Handmade Silk Roses in Green Vase: I made these in 2004 for my wedding. Bird seed was put in them for guests to throw after the ceremony. My cousin did it at her wedding in 1992. The green vase has been in my collection a long time.
Hearts: Plastic hearts from the Dollar Tree many years ago.
I made this XOXO cheesy rice meal for myself. I was inspired after looking at my Valentine collection and thought I should add more to my XOXO section.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Plate: XOXO Red bell pepper cut with a cookie cutter, rice with garlic and Cheddar
Bowl: XO – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, plain Greek yogurt, cinnamon
This is my 1500th post! Unbelievable!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Conversation Hearts is a new theme for my Valentine collection.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Conversation Hearts – Green mashed potatoes with matcha powder, Red mashed potatoes with tomato paste, Blue mashed potatoes with butterfly pea flower powder, Press mashed potatoes into heart rice mold, imprint letter set, peas
Top Right: Conversation Hearts – Sweet Tarts
Bottom Right: Hearts – Radish cut with a cookie cutter, lettuce
I made this heart bread lunch for my Mom on the day that my parents, niece and I went on a little daytrip to the Buffalo Botanical Garden greenhouses.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Heart – Shaped bread
Top Right: Hearts – Cheese cut with a cookie cutter, pecans
Bottom Right: Hearts – Yellow bell pepper cut with a cookie cutter, spinach
I had some blue potatoes I wanted to use so made this ocean themed meal.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Jelly Fish – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, blue potato mashed potatoes
Top Right: Green olives
Bottom Right: Orange
Happy Groundhog Day! I made this meal for myself as part of my Groundhog Day series.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Groundhog – Sweet potato cut with a cookie cutter then roasted, mashed cauliflower with ricotta, smoked paprika
Top Right: Hazelnuts
Bottom Right: Clementine
To celebrate Setsubun (bean throwing day) in Japan, I made this Oni sweet potato lunch. This is only my second time doing this theme. Here is my first.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Oni – Roasted sweet potato with cheese and food marker details, Setsubun (in Japanese) carrot cut with cookie cutters, roasted asparagus
Top Right: Dry Roasted Wasabi Edamame
Bottom Right: Clementine
I made this seahorse lunch for myself. I am fascinated by seahorses but have only created food in this theme twice in the over 12 years I have blogged here. When I made this meal, I ended up breaking my cookie cutter (first time to break one). Don’t know if I can fix it or if I need a new one.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Seahorses – Sweet Potato (cut with cookie cutter), ricotta with blueberries
Top Right: Lime and Chili Almonds
Bottom Right: Fish – Radish cut with a cookie cutter, butterfly pea powder, mashed cauliflower
My friend Deborah’s birthday was this week. I invited her to come over yesterday for a neighborhood walk and dinner. Hasselback vegetables have been on my mind. It was exciting to try hasselback butternut squash. The whole meal was delicious.
Romaine Spinach Salad with Apples, Toasted Walnuts, and Avocado Dressing
Hasselback Butternut Squash – I didn’t use sage and forgot to use the pumpkin seeds. I used vegan butter.
No Bake Vegan Almond Joy Bars – I halved the recipe.
This week was my friend Carol’s birthday. Since it was a “special” numbered year, I invited her to ask a friend to join us. Our trio created a different dynamic that was very welcome on a dark winter day. Delicious food and good conversation created a delightful evening. To keep things easy for me on a worknight, I bought the salad and dessert and only made the main course. It is the same Wellington I make for Thanksgiving and Carol’s birthday but this year to be different I folded it into triangles.
Wegmans Avocado Ranch Chopped Salad Kit – I used a different shredded Cheddar than what came with the kit. I put the ranch dressing on the side of the plates.
Vegetable Wellington – (I used frozen Puffed Pastry with homemade pesto, goat cheese, roasted zucchini, red bell pepper and asparagus), served with Citrus Beurre Blanc sauce
Wegmans Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake (half size), raspberries
I made this cute lunch for myself. Others in this series are here.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Penguins – Cheddar cheese, yellow bell pepper, blue potato cut with a cookie cutter then roasted, hummus
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Penguins – Carrot cut with a cookie cutter, spinach leaves
I made this flower bread lunch for my niece on the day that my parents, niece and I went on a little daytrip to the Buffalo Botanical Garden greenhouses.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Flower – Shaped bread with Nutella inside
Top Right: Flowers – Carrots cut with a cookie cutter
Bottom Right: Raspberries
I made this fun meal for myself.
Container: Book Bento Box
Contents: Dinosaurs – Sweet potato cut with a cookie cutter and roasted, mashed cauliflower with ricotta cheese, walnuts, chocolate chips
I enjoy making themed mashed potato meals. Here is my collection!
WEATHER
FLOWER
ANIMAL
BIRD / FLYING THING
Japanese Crested Ibis Mashed Potatoes
FISH
HALLOWEEN
Jack-o-lantern Mashed Potatoes
DAY OF THE DEAD
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Tree Mashed Potatoes
NEW YEAR
VALENTINE
ST PATRICK
EASTER
PRESIDENTS
George Washington Mashed Potatoes
CHARACTERS
Snoopy and Woodstock Mashed Potatoes
JAPANESE CULTURE
Emperor and Empress Mashed Potatoes
IMAGINARY / EXTINCT / ??
LIFE ACTIVITIES
TRANSPORTATION
TOY / GAME
MISC
I made this snowman bread lunch for my Dad on the day that my parents, niece and I went on a little daytrip to the Buffalo Botanical Garden greenhouses.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Snowmen – Shaped bread with food marker details (I served Cheddar on the side)
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Snowflakes – Radish cut with a cookie cutter, spinach
Keeping with tradition, my niece and my Mom made this breakfast while at my house for Christmas.
Kangaroos – chocolate chip pancakes cut with a cookie cutter, Nutella
Others in this series:
Bear, Bunny, Groundhog, Camel, Cows, Dinosaurs, Ghosts, Moose, Raccoon, Sloth, Squirrels
I made this fun and seasonal meal for my parents and me. We LOVED the wonton snowflakes!
Roasted Potato Snowflakes – cut potato slices with a snowflake cookie cutter, rub with butterfly pea powder, roast until tender
Snowflake Wonton with Blueberries
Happy New Year! I made this festive meal for myself.
2024 – Nishiki Rice pressed into cookie cutters with plastic wrap, dried parsley
Roasted butternut squash
Happy New Year! Here is my collection of New Years / Year themed meals. As with my other collections, I will update when I create something new.
Updated: 1/2/24
My niece made a gingerbread greenhouse while visiting me this year. I suggested it because I always wanted to make a greenhouse out of gingerbread and I thought she would like it. It is beautiful!
Gingerbread Recipe: I used this recipe.
Royal Icing Recipe: I love using this recipe which uses Meringue Powder. It hardens fast and in works very well.
Windows: Gold quality gelatin sheets
Candy Cane and Gingerbread Men: purchased icing decorations
Green Path: Sweet tarts
Gingerbread Men Gardens: Mini gingerbread men sprinkles with candy rocks borders
Snow: Royal Icing
Poinsettias: Pink fondant cut with a mini star cutter, silver decorating balls, spaghetti
Pots: Rolos
Bench: Chocolate Wafer Cookies
We had a special Christmas with several rounds of guests. My parents joined me from December 21 – December 31. My brother and his wife joined us from December 22 – 25. My 21 year old niece was here from December 27 – December 31. My Dad did a lot of cooking this year since everyone requested his specialties: pizza, stuffed mushrooms, onion rings, and blueberry blintzes.
I posted some meals separately: Christmas Eve Appetizer dinner and French Christmas dinner. Previous Pig Scone Christmas breakfasts are posted here, here, and here. The only difference this year was Cranberry cheese from Aldi.
My parents, my niece, and me enjoyed a soup and bread meal with cut-out cookies on the evening of her arrival.
Christmas Hand-Pies – pie crust, tomato sauce, mozzarella
Asparagus – Boiled asparagus with butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt
My niece made this gorgeous Buche de Noel.
On December 24, we prepared an appetizer dinner for 6 (Mom, Dad, Carol, Andy, Kerry, and me). My Dad did a lot of cooking since many of his specialties were on the menu. I think we all had a great time!
This year, the theme I selected for my main meal on December 25 was “French”. Six of us feasted on this meal: Carol, Andy, Kerry, Dad, Mom, and me. My Mom made the beautiful arrangement. I printed the menus. I made the holly felt napkin rings a long time ago.
Vegetable Crepes – with sautéed onions, red bell pepper, and zucchini
Individual Potato Galettes – I didn’t use the herbs
French Cheese Course – Mild Cremeus de Bourgone – Marcel Petite Comte, Saint Agur Blue, Petite Toasts
Mini Buche de Noel Stump – I had to make the cookies since they are not sold anymore.
Apricot Tartlets – I made my own pie crust and used apricot jam and a sugar orange slice from Trader Joes.
Chestnut Trifle – I made the Chestnut Puree.
My critique of the meal:
The French onion soup was great! It is a recipe I have made for many years. The only problem was my oven, it doesn’t broil without shutting off. Usually I broil in my toaster oven but 6 would not fit. The Shaved Carrot Salad I would not make again. The drinkers loved the French wine. My Mom wants the crepes again soon. I don’t know if I ever made them for her. I usually make them for my niece from marriage. The cheese course was amazing. I did a consult at Wegmans. Everyone was so excited for it that nobody took photos of it until it was mostly gone. As usual for special holiday meals, I made a dessert trio. The stump was an icebox cake but since the thin chocolate cookies are no longer sold, it was more effort to make the cookies. It was worth it! The apricot tarts were enjoyed by all. It was easy for me since I often made jam tarts for my niece and nephews from marriage. I don’t have a lot of experience with chestnut desserts. This was sophisticated and delicious! I bought the chestnuts in the European section at Wegmans.
Eclectic Lamb 
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