How can I find time to make these super-arty lunches

buxtonrabbitgreen

seraphina wrote: »

This is a great site, all about speed bento packing - so a packed lunch from leftovers/freezer in as little time as possible!

http://www.lunchinabox.net

I've been packing myself a bento I got off Ebay for a few weeks now, it's fabulous!

That is a very interesting site. I had never heard of bento lunchboxes and thought the first poster was having a laugh. It made me spill my tea actually. I have just cleaned up the keyboard. i think my DD would like this as I sometimes pack her pasta salad or a pot of strawberries etc. Might have a go.

seraphina

I hope Topher won't mind me replying...

My husband picked up a Miffy bento box for me on ebay - search for "miffy lunch box" or some such. This was a bonus because the supplier was in the UK.

Most of the bento supplies I have seen on eBay are hugely marked up - they sell in japanese shops in the US for $1/$1.50 and you see them on ebay for around $9 :mad: Still I guess that's the price you have to pay for being in the UK. Ebay is a good source, if you are prepared to pay the extra.

If you're ingenious you can make do and mend - I make baby tomato and cheese cocktail stick kebabs (using mini mozarella, or chunks of whatever cheese I have to hand).

seraphina

I've also seen people use divided Lock'n'Lock containers like the ones below to great effect:

http://http://www.lakeland.co.uk/product.aspx/!11217_11218

annie-c

Does the seal on the lock and lock divided containers keep the sections from spilling over into each other, ie can you keep sweet and savoury separate?

astep70uk

Topher - I got all of my accessories off ebay. And, yes, they are much cheaper in Japan, but I kind of got myself hooked on the cuteness so had to buy them (not very moneysaving, but it makes us both happy!!)

Before I got my goodies, I just used a divided sandwich box from Matalan which cost £2.50, and I used foil pudding basins for dividers.
This was one of my first bentos:



Hope this helps - maybe we should start a moneysaving bento lunch box thread??

Gingham_Ribbon

I'm TOTALLY taken with this now. I had no idea how to use that little box and it's so obvious now!

aurora_borealis_2

Let's have a bento challenge!

As soon as I get a box, I'll post pics. DD3 has seen this thread and must have her lunches like this (aged 15)

Gingham_Ribbon

Okay, what I need is some of those silicone cup thingies because I don't want to have to buy paper or aluminium ones and throw them away. And a little tub with a lid for yoghurt because I just don't believe it wouldn't end up all over the veggies!

astep70uk

Gingham Ribbon - Betterware do a set of 6 silicone baking cups for £4.99
See here

Honestly, if you use a proper bento box, the yoghurt doesn't spill out (so long as you don't tip it upside down!!)
Bento boxes are quite shallow by nature, so the lid of the box forms a seal with the silicone cup. I got my box off ebay and paid around £8 for it.

aurora borealis - count me in for bento challenge :T my husband just isn't interested so I need someone to share this with :j

aurora_borealis_2

I wish there was a complete set that you could buy - with all the trimmings.

*is a very lazy shopper*