Kids & Adult Bento-Box Lunches

Kids Sandwich-Skewer Bento-Box Lunch Ingredients:

1x ciabatta bun, cut into cubes

4 slices roast turkey, cut in half

8 slices mild genoa salami

80-100g cheddar or gouda cheese

8 baby tomatoes

2 apples

1/2 cup honey greek yogurt

1x bag carrot chips

Servings: makes 4 lunches

Preparation: 20 minutes

Total Time:  20 minutes

Kitchen Equipment: 4 wooden skewers, rectangular glass or plastic lunch container, small container for yogurt

Adult Pasta Salad Bento-Box Lunch Ingredients:

500g bag frozen cheese tortellini

3x small red cocktail tomatoes, seeded and chopped

2x orange tomatoes, seeded and chopped

2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

1 1/3 cups arugula

1 ⅓ cup dates

1/2 cup almond butter

Cherries (or apple slices)

Dressing

1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 ½ tbsp red wine vinegar

1/2 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Pinch pepper

Servings: makes 4 lunches

Preparation: 30 minutes

Total Time:  30 minutes

Kitchen Equipment: rectangular glass or plastic lunch container, small container for almond butter

Kids Sandwich-Skewer Bento-Box Lunch Instructions:

1. To prep the sandwich skewers, cut the ciabatta bun into 12 cubes and fold the meat into squares.
2. Cut the cheese into cubes or thicker slices. Or, use a small cookie cutter to cut the cheese into fun shapes.
3. To assemble the skewers, place a piece of bread on the skewer as a base followed by turkey, salami, cheese tomato, another bread cube then turkey, salami, cheese and end with one more bread cube. Repeat to create 4 skewers.
4. Use a rectangular container to assemble one bento box lunch with 1x sandwich skewer, slices from half an apple, 2 tbsp honey greek yogurt and a handful of carrot chips. Repeat to create 4 bento box lunches.
5. Pack for lunch and enjoy!

Pro Tip:

• Squeeze a bit of lemon over the apple slices before putting them into the container to keep from browning.
• Mix and match whichever type of meat and cheese you’d like!

Adult Pasta Salad Bento-Box Lunch Instructions:

1. Cook the tortellini according to package directions, drain and let cool.
2. In the meantime, prep the tomatoes by slicing in half and using a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then chop the tomatoes.
3. Make the dressing by adding all the ingredients to a mason jar or jar with a lid, shaking to combine.
4. Once the tortellini is cooled, add the dressing and toss to combine. Then add the tomatoes and basil, tossing gently to combine. **Add in the arugula 1/3 cup at a time just before you take lunch to ensure it stays fresh and crisp**
5. To assemble one bento box, use a small container with the almond butter to separate the tortellini salad portion from the dates and cherries (or apple slices). Each tortellini salad portion will be a quarter of the entire salad that is made.
6. If you don’t have a container that works, use a small container for the tortellini pasta salad and put the almond butter, dates and cherries (or apple slices) together in a second container.
7. Repeat to create 4 bento box lunches.

Pro Tip:

• You can absolutely use different types of tortellini OR even your favourite gluten free pasta for the pasta salad.