Bento, or packed lunches, can be traced back as far as the fifth century, when Japanese leaving their homes to till their fields, hunt, fish, or even wage war carried food with them to eat on the go. These portable meals typically contained staples, such as white rice, rice mixed with millet, or potatoes. Bento carried to school by children became a reflection of a student's wealth. A movement thus developed to abolish bento in school and, after World War II, the practice of bringing bento to school gradually declined and was replaced by uniform food provided for all students and faculty.
My very first bento was quite the feast
The entire box is gluten free. Pictured above is egg spinach rolls, shrimp tempura, ginger slaw & red pan fried sweet potatoes with honey & sesame seeds.
I had to buy a box for my baby, he is worth every penny.
Aidan's breakfast bento box- contains rolled omelet chicks, broccoli grass, strawberry/mozzarella mushrooms & homemade toddler cereal bars. I created recipe;
1 1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 ground flax
1 mashed ripe banana
2 tbsp agave
1 egg
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup strawberry jam- no sugar added- goes in the center
350 degrees, 30 min- formed into a bar on a baking sheet
Baby's lunch bento. Homemade black bean burgers, avocado smiles. Carrot/snowpea flowers, organic yogurt & cantaloupe
Dinner baby bento- potato cheese souffle on a croissant
My baked egg recipe;
5 whole eggs whipped
2 small potatoes mashed
1/2 cup cheese of choice
2 table spoons chopped chives
salt & pepper
Mix all ingredients & bake at 375 until done- around 25 min.
He just can't get enough.
