Panda Onigiri Bento Box

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Take 1 cup of white rice and rinse until water runs clear.
  2. Add rice and 2 cups of water to a small saucepan.
  3. Cover and bring to a boil.
  4. Cook for 20-25 min or until all the water has been absorbed. 
  5. At this point you can season the rice with a splash of rice wine vinegar, while the rice is still warm.
  6. Take a heaping spoonful of rice and with wet hands, form into an oval ball for the panda head. Make sure to squeeze it together! If desired you can put a small scoop of pickled plums or a protein in the center. 
  7. Take two small pieces and repeat the same process to make the ears. Stick them to the Panda.
  8. Either using a pre-made punch or scissors, cut out the two ears, eyes, and nose from a sheet of dried seaweed (nori). 
  9. With a slightly damp hand stick the nori pieces to the panda to create the face.
  10. Sprinkle some Ty Ling Sesame Oil on the panda for flavor.
  11. Serve with Ty Ling Hoisin Sauce and Stir Fry Corn and the bento box fillings of your choosing.
  12. Enjoy!
Recipe by @victoriaelizabethbakes