#32 Comfort Pasta Bento

Top Tier: Baked bow-tie pasta

Bottom Tier: Red cabbage and carrot salad dressed with salad oil, salt, and lemon juice

Yummy comforting baked pasta:

Cook 1 box (12 oz?) of your favorite pasta shape al dente (my pasta box said to cook the pasta for 10 minutes, but I cooked it for about 7 and a half). Mix together 1 can of your favorite cream of whatever soup (I used chicken) and a half soup-can of milk, and stir into pasta. Add some spices, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir in some shredded cheese (I used an Italian blend). Pour everything into an oven-safe dish. Top with some smashed crackers (I used whole wheat Saltines), and some more cheese. Bake at 350 until cheese is melty and a little browned.

You could also add some veggies in there if you want. As I was trying it, I thought it might be good with some frozen peas, or maybe some asparagus (although I would have used fresh-I have a consistency issue with most pre-cooked veggies).

This is what it looked like when it came out of the oven:

#16 Salad Bento

Top Tier: Salad with purple cabbage, carrots, and English cucumbers with ginger dressing underneath
Bottom Tier: Cubes of Manchego cheese, roasted almonds, strawberries, blueberries

#3 More Salad

Bottom Tier: Red cabbage and yellow carrot salad with ginger dressing
Top Tier: Soysage, cheddar cheese cubes, green tea daifuku, blackberries

Today I put the dressing in the bottom of the bowl under the salad, because it was a little messy yesterday. Also, the soysage I use is Primm Springs brand, which I believe you can only buy in stores in middle Tennessee. I did however find their website, where you can buy some, get some recipes, and also watch a pretty funny Food Network spot with the Deen brothers. In any case, I highly recommend this soysage; its the only brand that I like better than meat sausage.

#2- Asian-style Salad Bento

Top Tier: Carrots, cheddar cheese cubes, red bean daifuku , and chocolate Pocky hiding underneath.
Bottom Tier: Red cabbage and carrot salad with ginger dressing.