Materials Needed
- Rice Ball Shapers
- Bento Box (270ml)
- Cooked Rice
- Salt
- Ketchup
- Vinegared Ginger
- Lemon Peel
- Seaweed
- Ham
- Sausage
- Sesame Seeds
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
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Prepare the Rice:
- Cook sushi rice and season it with a bit of salt.
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Assemble the Rice Ball Shapers:
- Set the face plate (Hello Kitty face shape) to the bottom of the outer frame of the rice ball shaper.
- Press the lid onto the frame to shape the rice into a Hello Kitty face.
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Color the Rice:
- Mix some ketchup with a portion of the rice to create pink or red rice for Hello Kitty’s bow.
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Create Hello Kitty’s Features:
- Use vinegared ginger to make Hello Kitty’s nose.
- Cut out small pieces of seaweed to make the eyes and whiskers. Use sesame seeds for the eyes.
- Use a small piece of ham to create the ears.
- Use a small piece of sausage to create the octopus (red stuff).
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Assemble Hello Kitty:
- Place the pink/red rice for the bow on Hello Kitty’s head.
- Arrange the eyes, nose, whiskers, and ears on the rice ball to complete Hello Kitty’s face.
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Decorate:
- Use mayonnaise to add additional details or decorations to Hello Kitty’s face.
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Create a Ribbon:
- Use lemon peel to make a ribbon shape and place it on Hello Kitty’s head.
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Final Touches:
- Arrange the completed Hello Kitty rice ball in the bento box, along with any other side dishes or snacks you’d like to include.
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Enjoy Your Creation:
- Admire your adorable Hello Kitty bento creation and enjoy your character bento for the first time!
Tips
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Rice Consistency: Ensure that the rice is sticky enough to hold its shape when molded but not overly wet, as it can become too sticky and difficult to work with.
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Handling Ingredients: Be gentle when handling delicate ingredients like nori (seaweed) and sesame seeds to avoid tearing or misplacing them during assembly.
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Food Safety: Wash your hands thoroughly before handling food, and make sure all ingredients are fresh and properly cooked before incorporating them into your bento creation.
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Creativity: Feel free to add your own personal touch to the Hello Kitty design, whether it’s using different ingredients for facial features or experimenting with other character designs.
Crafting Hello Kitty rice balls for your bento box is a delightful way to elevate your meal presentation and surprise both kids and adults with a cute and appetizing creation. By following the steps outlined in this guide and paying attention to the details, you can master the art of character bento-making and enjoy the rewarding experience of creating edible works of art. So, gather your ingredients, unleash your creativity, and get ready to enjoy a fun and delicious meal with your very own Hello Kitty bento creation! 
