Japanese Doll Festival Bear Hina Dolls for Bento

1. 1

   Mix into the rice and wrap in plastic wrap, and shape into rounded rectangular rice balls.

2. 2

   Layer on 2 rectangular pieces of nori seaweed, and wrap.

3. 3

   Cut a notch into the bottom of the nori seaweed to make it easier to wrap up.

4. 4

   Wrap in plastic cling wrap and set aside.

5. 5

   Cut the tri-color kamaboko into 3 cm widths, and use the colored portions for Step 5 and 6.

6. 6

   Mouth: Cut round circles out of the white portion of the kamaboko, cut out the mouth and nose from nori seaweed, and stick them on.

7. 7

   Scepter, crown: Cut out shapes from the green portion of the kamaboko.

8. 8

   Use the ear portion of a rabbit-head shaped cookie cutter to cut out the scepter.

9. 9

   For the crown and formal folding fan: Cut the shapes out of the pink portion of the kamaboko.

10. 10

    Use a flower cutter for the crown.

11. 11

    Emperor: This is what all the facial features look like.

12. 12

    Empress: Give it whatever expression you like.

13. 13

    Stick the ears and headpieces on with pasta.

14. 14

    Stick on the parts, and draw the cheeks with ketchup...

15. 15

    And the bear hina dolls are done.

16. 16

    The top photo shows bears made with white rice and kamaboko.

17. 17

    I used snap peas to make the emperor and used sausage for the empress!

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.