Usually, I use Featured Fridays to share things I've loved during the week. But with back-to-school season upon us (F&B start on the 9th), I thought it might be fun to share some ideas how to get started with bentos.
Despite the scary amount of products I own, I use a lot of the same ones on most days. And I've been building my collection for 5 years now, so take a normal amount of lunch items and times it by that many years.
So, if you are getting started, a few recommendations to help you out!
1a. Easy Lunchboxes & Insulated Cooler Bag - This is probably one of the best deals you'll find on lunch boxes. You get four boxes, they are dishwasher safe and they have a bag that fits them perfectly, along with a drink, napkin, yogurt, etc. I use them a lot, because of the space layout (try this tag "easylunchboxes" to see some of what I've made).
1b. Lunchbots - Prefer stainless steel to plastic? We have one of these too. I have a Duo which works well for my kids and I've been leaning towards getting the Trio or Quad, just because I like the built in sections. These also fit well into most standard lunch bags, Faith had a Vera Bradley one last year and it worked.
Now that you've got the basics (containers, bag and water bottles), you can always add the cute stuff!
3. Wilton Fondant Cutters - I actually have tons of cookie cutters, including my favorite sets from Williams Sonoma, but for a quick, easy, inexpensive option, check out the cute stuff Wilton has. Most local craft stores carry it too. Their fondant cutters are metal, so they work well on veggies and fruit, along with meats and cheeses. Sets usually have a tiny version, a small version and a medium version. The tiny one is perfect for decoration (it's about the diameter of a baby carrot), the small is ideal for cucumber slicing, the medium can be anything from cookies to sandwiches!
4. Silicone Muffin Cups - I use the Wilton ones because they were the easiest to find. There are tons of cute options--hearts, stars, flowers, but my favorites are still the solid color squares to tuck into the corner of a box. They are ideal to separate food, although they won't contain anything too messy.
5. Food Picks & Kebab Sticks - These are just cute, perfect for skewering food or holding things together or just making a plain lunch look pretty. Besides all the varieties on Amazon, don't forget to check out places like the Dollar Tree. I have a package of primary colored hearts, 100 for $1. During the various holidays, they sell themed muffin wrappers with pick too. These are paper, but at 25 or so for $1, I'm OK with losing a few along the way.
Now of course, once you start with a few basic items, you'll probably end up wanting (I call it "needing") a whole lot more! But for now, at least you have the supplies to start.
Great Post! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCan you do a post with reviews of some of your kitchen gadgets? The quesadilla maker, mini-corn dog maker, mini chopper, etc. I'm always tempted by these, but never know if they are any good or worth it.
ReplyDeleteI will, Jessica. Generally, if I'm talking about them on here, they are things I like. The corndog maker is the current addiction. We've had assorted varieties all week!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love my Wilton Fondant cutters too and the Wilton cups are some of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the swell shout out for my EasyLunchboxes Shannon!! So appreciate that :)
ReplyDeleteHey Shannon! I'm looking for a container that has a removable section or box for microwaving. I'm packing lunches where the entree is usually going to need to be reheated (for the hubby), but everything else stay cool. Recommendations?
ReplyDeleteFor that, I'd probably go with a larger 2 sided Lock&Lock (both inner pieces lift out) or a Fit & Fresh which should have two smaller compartments plus a larger one that can be separated.
ReplyDeleteShannon, a quick question about "waste". As beautiful as all the cutouts of cucumber and cheese and canteloupe are, what do you do with all the offcuts? I wouldn't want to throw it away, and really, my waistline if going to feel it if I stuff handfuls of cheese and bread scraps into my mouth every morning!
ReplyDeleteHi Rochelle!
ReplyDeleteI actually save most of it in the fridge--all the little fruit scraps in one container, meat/cheeses in another, veggies in another. We add some of it to salads, some to omelets, some the kids will just nosh on. I also will hide the not pretty fruit pieces underneath the pretty ones, so they all get eaten. The puppy stares at me a lot, so he gets some too!