A day thrifting with Candace, made me feel antsy to craft and make a killer bento. When I got home I made a little iPod/cell phone holder out of some unused granny square motifs in my UFO (Un-Finished Objects) box. I’m going to post it on etsy. Soon, I swear.

I’ve been drooling over a bento book I borrowed from the library and checking out people’s bento blogs. There are some good traditional recipes in the book (), but most of the blogs make me think that these people have way too much time on their hands.

I decided to make a semi-traditional bento. I got to use my new “TV dinner” container I bought a few weeks ago at Goodwill for $1.00. Plus, I experimented with a recipe I invented and it came out so well, even DH Michael liked it! I was so happy with the way this bento turned out, but I know I packed way too much food. It’s very pleasing aesthetically pleasing, though.

Top left: broccoli cheese rice fritters; kids spork  I got today at Goodwill for 15¢ (Michael called it the “Cheshire Cat fork”)

Middle left: half hidden cheese stick; The little blue container I got free at a health fair. It’s shaped like a tooth and has a grinning chipmunk on it. Perfect to hold the butter for my…

Bottom left: mini corn on the cob

Top right: red and black grapes; mixed nuts

Bottom right: sauteed asparagus and and baby carrot coins with the corn that fell off the cob when I sliced it

I need to work on “fillers”. I need to purchase more whole, non-wet foods like grape tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, berries, pettipan squash, baby potatoes, etc. I’m working a mid-shift tomorrow and this will be my only meal. If I can’t finish it all at work I will snack on the leftovers when I get home.

Broccoli Cheese Rice Fritters

1/4 cup cooked, cooled rice

1/2 cup chopped broccoli (frozen, thawed or fresh, steamed and cooled)

1/8 cup shredded co-jack cheese

1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

seasoning of choice

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk

Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.

Mix first six ingredients in a medium bowl. Toss well to combine. Add last two ingredients and stir to combine. If too dry, add a little more milk. If too wet, add a little more flour.

Drop in approximate patty shapes onto skillet. Cook for 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.

Makes 6 fritters

Tips: You can use any veggie you like: spinach, cauliflower, carrot, asparagus, green bean, mushroom, onion, zucchini, etc.

Use whatever cheese you have on hand. Brown rice, white rice or a mixture can be used.

If you are out of eggs, use a tablespoon of cornstarch and add a bit more milk.

I seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon each Aunt Jane’s Crazy Mixed-Up Salt (salt, pepper, garlic, etc), Mrs. Grass Table Blend and dried onion flakes. You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley flakes, cayenne pepper, lemon-pepper, etc.

Can be reheated or eaten cold.