Yvonne Byatt's Family Fun: BENTO FUN LUNCH BOX IDEAS

I don't know if bento's very popular yet here in the UK.

and ours are no way near as elaborate as some of these, but even though he's now 10,
I still put shaped cheese and sandwiches cut with cookie cutters and coloured foods in his lunch box.

(much to his embarassment I think)

but they only have one childhood and I am going to make sure he remebers the little things.

really all it is, is putting alittle thought into your childs packed lunch...

Alittle bento history for you...

Bento is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine.

A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables,

usually in a box-shaped container.

it is still common for Japanese homemakers to spend time and energy for their spouse, child, or themselves producing a carefully prepared lunch box.

Bento can be very elaborately arranged in a style called kyaraben or "character bento".

Kyaraben is typically decorated to look like popular Japanese cartoon (anime) characters, characters from comic books (manga), or video game characters.

Another popular bento style is "oekakiben" or "picture bento", which is decorated to look like people, animals, buildings and monuments, or items such as flowers and plants.

Contests are often held where bento arrangers compete for the most aesthetically pleasing arrangements.

but it seems to be making it's way into the packed sandwich lunch box and it's SO much fun!!!

so here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing...

maybe a current favourite tv program...