Last night for dinner we had grilled lemon grass chicken. Since we had a few left over pieces of chicken, I used it for Paige’s lunch today. I sliced the chicken to put on top of cold soba noodles, along with a few veggies, and then lightly dressed it with nuoc cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce). Then to make it pretty I added on a few carrot butterflies, that I cut using a metal vegetable cutter. I tried making the butterflies that were in the book that I got for Mother’s Day but they looked nothing like the ones pictured in the book. At best they were caricatures of butterflies that were either missing an antenna or part of their wing. I should have took a picture of them, they were pretty funny although Paige said that they were pretty. 
I haven’t given up though, I think I need to start with the much, much simpler designs.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
I love the presentation here — the slices of chicken and cucumber look very elegant, especially with the diagonal sliced green onions and the flowers.
I’ve also got that book on vegetable cutting, and I completely agree — that butterfly is difficult! I used it in one of the bentos I recently made for a contest (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hypothermya/4492588274/), although I probably should have left it out. The butterfly’s middle had cracked in half, so it was super floppy and had to be propped up…. and the antennae had also broken off… More practice, though, and I’m sure I’ll get it. Also, next time I’m using large carrots instead of small ones.
I’d love to hear how you like the rest of the book and how you fare trying out the different cutting techniques in there. I’m really intimidated by the daikon sheets.
Thanks hypothermya!
Wow, that bento you made is so impressive! The details are amazing! Your butterfly looks a hundred times better than what I made! 
Yep, the daikon sheet is crazy hard to do.
This is such a pretty box, I love how the green onions look in there. The flower is always a stunning touch!
Thanks Lyndsey!
Yum, I love lemongrass chicken! I think those butterflies are cute — they have that distinct Susan touch. It kind of looks like they have chicken feet, hehe
Thanks Sheri!
LOL, they do look like chicken feet! 
I love that butterfly – where did you find the cutter? Want want want – lol
Thanks Tammy!
My mother in law gave me the cutter. She’s had it for decades! I’ll let you know if I see it around.
Thanks = I will have to do some web searching
Susan,
it’s a beautiful presentation..love how you put the lil purple flower there…it made it looks so elegant..
Thanks Deby!
It would put me in a good mood to open that for lunch, very pretty!
Thanks fluteloop!
the butterfly is so pretty! Great idea of toppings with the soba (not to mention use of leftovers!) – I love soba but always run out of ideas for toppings
Thanks mils!
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Amazing! I could gaze at this happily for a loooong time…thanks Susan!
Thanks Jenn!
Wow, that is so pretty and makes me hungry for the yummy food!
Thanks golonghorns!
yup agreed! the butterflies are lovely. i’m hungry…i think i need supper!
/karen =)
Thank you anna c!
Susan,
I’m so excited to hear you have a new Bento book! I love your first one and it has inspired me to make all those cute little characters out of cheese, meat etc.
I also love that you include recipes. I’m an avid cook, but Asian food is one area I have the most difficulty in reproducing.
My kids thank you too—now they wow their friends with their lunches. No one here in Atlanta has even heard of Bentos, so we’re a celebrity when we bring a Bento.
Thank you Wendy!
That is fantastic that bentos are in Atlanta!!! It makes me so excited to hear that you all are having so much fun making bentos! 
this one looks super super tasty, and those pretty butterflies really brighten it up. paige is so sweet to encourage you in your carving attempts! keep practicing, i know you’ll be amazing us soon with your carving creations!
Thanks gamene! LOL, I have a loooong way to go, I would like to be able to carve those beautiful flowers that you make!
yum! I knew by the title that this would be a tasty one!!
Thanks Rachel!
*cough* Glad I’m not the only one who has issues with the carrot butterflies. I just couldn’t get mine to stay open! Either that or I just cut the wings off by accident.
LOL, I decided to move onto much simpler things in the book!
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