Do you "Bento"? (How to make a shaped egg)

Do you Bento for your kids?  Bento boxes are really fun.  They can range from works of art that take a lot of planning and time to make...

Credit: http://wickedhowtos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/bento3.jpg

...to relatively simple ones that are very practical to do and your kids will still think are "cool!"

Credit: http://0.tqn.com/d/childparenting/1/0/G/4/-/-/About_school_lunch_box_bento2.jpg

Bento boxes are common in Japan, where even adults get in on the action (minus all the cutesy themes).  There are a ton of the boxes out there.  I bought this sweet one for LJ.

http://www.mysweetmuffin.com/item/Shinzi-Katoh-Single-Lunch-Box---Red-Hood/392/c30

 

If you do a search for Bento box ideas, they are all over the internet.  I am planning to share some of my Bento ideas here from time to time too.  SO, I thought I would start with one of LJ's favorite Bento Box items- a shaped hard boiled egg!

Star eggs!

First, you hard boil your eggs just like normal.  But DO NOT put them in an ice bath or allow them to cool in the pan completely.  You need them pretty hot for this to work!  When they are hot, they are very pliable and will take the shapes.  ***Use the large or extra large eggs.  Small ones won't fill up the shape.***

I use tongs to get them out of the still hot water.

Use tongs so you don't get burned!

Then, turn on the cold tap water for peeling.  This way, as you peel your very hot egg, you can occasionally run it under the cool water when your fingers can't take it any more!

Ouch!

Once your egg is peeled, you need to put it into an egg mold.  These are pretty cheap and can be found at the Asian grocery, or of course, online.

My egg molds.

Be sure to put your eggs in with the "fatter" side in the bottom, sticking up tall.  They won't work if you put them in sideways.

Right side up, Mr. Egg!

Then you simply put your lid on, being sure the sides are snapped down tight.

Sometimes you really have to push it down to close it!

Then place in your fridge for a while.  I usually do it overnight.  BUT- if you want to make a bunch of these, say, for an appetizer platter (how cute would these be as deviled eggs?) then I would leave them in for at least an hour or two, and check to be sure they are completely cooled before removing from the mold.  Otherwise, they may snap back to more of an egg shape.  If you think you'll make a lot of these I would buy more molds since they are so cheap!

Cooling time!

After cooling, you will have a beautiful egg...but it might have some scraggly edges to remove.  This is normal and they rub right off!

Scraggly star

Pretty star!

I slice it in half and put it right in the bento!  You could garnish it though if you wanted.

And that's it!  Shaped eggs are so easy and cheap to make...and just might entice your picky eater to get a little protein.  So try something new and fun in those lunchboxes or afternoon snack plates!

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