Lunch time is all about planning, and sometimes it can be very stressful not knowing what foods to use, or what to put in your child’s lunch box/bag. A bento box can make planning easier because you won’t forget the fruit or the salad, and you always have the right type of container for the right type of items. Bento boxes can be a great way to learn about appropriate portion sizes. For example you can make half of your plate fruits and vegetables, and then add lean protein and healthy carbs. Plus it’s fun for your child to open a little prepared package when lunch time comes around!
In this bento box, I prepared buckwheat soba noodles, coleslaw, a hard-boiled egg, and a tangerine. The compartments make it really easy to think about lunch. Substitute roasted vegetables for the coleslaw, a sweet potato for the noodles, tuna salad for the egg, and grapes for the tangerine, and you have a new bento box! I encourage you to try using bento boxes. You can order them online, and it’s best to get stainless steel if you can. Your child will think it’s fun because it feels just like camping!
Soba Noodles (Serves 2)
-
2 servings (2 oz each) buckwheat soba noodles
-
1 Tablespoon seasoned rice wine vinegar
-
2 teaspoons sesame seed oil (optional)
-
1 Tablespoon chopped green onions
-
2-3 sheets dried seaweed
-
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Bring a medium pot to a boil. Boil soba noodles for 5 minutes. Then, drain noodles in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to bring to room temperature. In a small bowl, mix noodles, rice wine vinegar, sesame seed oil, green onions, and sesame seeds. Once mixed, place in bento box container and top with sliced seaweed sheets.
Additional items for lunch bento box
-
1/2 cup coleslaw
-
1 hard-boiled egg
-
1 tangerine
Fill other compartments with coleslaw, hard-boiled egg, and a tangerine. Don’t forget a fork, napkin and jug of milk!
