Following In My Shoes

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I Heart Lunch: Simple vs. Detailed Bentos

Angry Birds Bento (in an Easy Lunchbox System)

(In upper, smaller section) Angry Birds Graham Crackers, Hard Boiled “White Bird” Egg.  (In larger section) Babybel “Red Bird” Cheese, Sunbutter Sandwiches (made using Angry Bird cookie press), Cucumber “Green Pig”, Meatballs.

As you know, I love a simple bento.  It fits my approach to food and it is easier and more timely for me in the mornings to do easy lunches.

But, I have to admit, I oooh and ahhhh over the incredibly intricate and gorgeous bentos I see on Instagram and Pinterest.  My jaw drops when I see the hand-carved sandwiches.  And, then Mr. Boy saw an Angry Birds lunch.

Just like that, my vow of simplicityw as over.  I was charged with making an Angry Birds bento.

The inspiration for the Red Bird came from Cute Food For Kids, where she showed off a Babybel cheese bird she had made.  Unfortunately, she didn’t include instructions or any idea of how long it would take to make it.

It looks so simple doesn’t it?  Cheese, candy eyes, Nori eyebrows…. a beak (which I made out of a piece of sweet bell pepper).

BULL.

My big ol’, arthritic hands had the hardest time cutting everything just. right. and then attempting to “glue” (with cream cheese) all the itsy-bitsy details.

By the time I finished with two red birds, I was exhausted and rueing the day Angry Birds was created.  But, I couldn’t stop.  When I go in, I go all in… and you HAVE to go all in with an Angry Birds theme.

So, I started making the White Angry Bird and (of course) one of the Green Pigs.  And these last two entities were even more annoying because the cream cheese just did NOT want to stick to their moist surfaces.

UGH!!!  DARN YOU, ANGRY BIRDS!!!!!!!!

The next morning, I woke early — still frustrated but now eager and excited to show the Kidlets their much-asked-for Angry Bird Bentos.

“Ugh!  MOM!!!!!! Why did you put an EGG IN MY LUNCH?”

(Yes, I heard that.  Twice.)

Never mind the fact that I had spent countless minutes (what seemed half of forever) the previous evening making their lunches.  Never mind that I only did it because THEY HAD ASKED FOR IT.  Never mind that I had been smiling when I opened the boxes for them.

All of that was for naught when they saw the hard-boiled eggs, which — it seems — they don’t like.

(Who knew that?)

With that experience under my belt, I’m done with the cute detailed lunches.  Yes, they are adorable and so fun to look at … but, obviously, my children are jerks.

(just kidding … I love you guys … but no more Angry Bird bentos)

On to the simple bentos from this past week … the lunches that were hits!

Pizza Kit Bento (in an Easy Lunchbox)

(in larger section) Homemade Pizza Sauce, Chopped Pepperoni, Dried Apricots, Homemade Pizza Crust.  (in smaller sections) Shredded Mozzarella, Greek Yogurt and Berries.

Twitchy Witchy Bento (in an Easy Lunchbox)

(in larger section) Ham and Cheese Rolls, Edemame Hummus, Tortilla Bone Chips.  (in smaller sections) Celery Sticks, Grapes, Greek Yogurt.

Spiderman Bento (in an Easy Lunchbox)

(in larger section) Pretzel Chips, Mozzarella String Cheese, Provolone Letters, Ham Rolls.  (in smaller sections) Homemade Applesauce and Berries, Clementine.

Yup, I’m back to simple bentos. Easy. Peasy. Little to no complaints.

p.s. Several people have asked about the shaped tortillas chips I’ve been putting in bentos lately, so here are instructions.

Easy Tortilla Chips

Ingredients

  1. 1 Flour or Corn Tortilla (per person)
  2. Salt, pepper or cinnamon/sugar or other favorite spices
  3. Cookie Cutters or Pizza Cutter

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Take the tortilla* and cut desired shape out of it, cutting as many as will fit.
  3. Place the cut shapes on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with desired seasoning.
  4. Bake 3-5 minutes or till the chips are beginning to turn golden on the bottom. Flip and cook and additional 3-5 minutes or until lightly golden brown on both sides.
  5. Remove and allow to cool before serving.

Notes

You can use baked or raw dough tortillas (available in the refrigerator section of some stores) for these chips.

If using raw dough tortillas, you can roll out the scraps and cut more shaped chips. If using baked tortillas, you can season and bake the “ugly” scraps for snacks or lunchbox filler!

Copyright © http://followinginmyshoes.com
Recipe by Rachel Lacy.


(disclosure — some affiliate links were used in this post)

Comments

  1. Thanks so much for this post! I was in the middle of making an Angry Birds lunch (and on the verge of pulling my hair out) when I found it. Faces were sliding off my creations, candy eyes were melting, and I had cream cheese was all over the place, LOL! I “re-glued” much of it with peanut butter and I’m hoping that Round 2 will work. In the meantime, I’m going to check out your simple lunch ideas! 🙂

  3. Thank you so much for posting this! Just made the red babybel bird for my two year old! Used cream cheese for white eyes and dried cherries for pupils and eyebrows. He loved it so much and danced around.. Didn’t even want to eat it but gobbled it up when he finally did! Thank you again!!

  10. So many cute creations you have shown. I made my first Bento lunch for my daughter a couple weeks ago and she loved it. Gotta start making them more often for her. I like to see her excited about lunch.

  14. Rachel I love this post…which, I found drooling over your Angry Bird Bento (Lol) AnywaysI love each lunch pictured and though the other lunches made be simple, they’re wonderful and no doubt delicious!! I’d love to have or serve one of these cuties any day!!

  15. I just linked up! I swear I am exactly like you who prefers simplicity in bento making because it suits our morning rush. But time to time, I get the urge to make cute lunches especially when inspired by bento moms out there. That Angry Bird will soon reign in me too. Just have to figure out ways to create it with the foods my children eat.

  29. I am oohhing and aaahing over the art you’ve created inside my containers Rachel!!!! What a spectacular post. Thank you!!! I’m glad you’ve broken your simplicity vow. But I promise.. it will be just as easy to go back 😉

  32. You sooo have to keep photos of all of these. When the kids are grown they are going to kick themselves for not being more appreciative. 🙂 But kids are kids and I am sure they totally appreciate them. Kids are just honest to a fault (ie the eggs issue). Hey, I have a question for your and any other Bentoers reading… have y’all tried the Lunchbots systems?

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