Back-to-school blues got your kids down? How about a bento to lift their spirits!
Bento making has really hit the mainstream over the last few years and there’re lots of websites and blogs dedicated to them with a handful of cute books that have been published. One of the best and most well-known is from local author and bento extraordinaire, Susan Yuen. This summer her second book, Hawaii’s Bento Box Cookbook: 2nd Course (Mutual Publishing, 2010) was released and if possible, it’s even cuter than the first. The photographs are bright and detailed and the pages are glossy. The book is well written, with simple straight forward instructions on making bentos and delicious, kid- friendly food using everyday items and basic techniques.
What I like most about this bento book compared to others is that it’s really focused on bento making for kids, altho anyone would be delighted by it. She has versatile recipes that you can get creative with and helpful tips for making lunch fast and fun. She has a whole section on sandwiches and snacks so you feel motivated that, with just a few extra minutes and a couple handy cookie cutters, you too can make adorable sammies to delight your kids.
I decided to try and make one for my sammich-loving blogging partner. He found my bear’s cheesy smile to be particularly funny because it looks more like a mustache 😛 Bento-ing doesn’t seem to be my calling. But if you ask me to describe the sandwich in 100 words or less….or maybe how the sandwich is feeling from a first or third person POV?
I need more practice, but who wouldn’t want to have a turkey and swiss bear with a cheddar cheese mustache for lunch!? I also liked reading Susan’s snack tips for making your own “Lunchables” by stacking cheeses and using a cute mini cookie cutter. That way your kids can have fun peeling off one layer at a time. Genius!
Perhaps what I find most remarkable about Susan is her community spirit. She hosted a bento making summer camp this year, does bento workshops for various organizations and events year round, and despite having a book published with her great snack or lunch ideas, she still features a tremendous amount of recipes and useful cooking/bento tips on her blog for free! And she does quite a few giveaways featuring her book and other cute bento stuff— so you should definitely check it out! Seriously.
You can tell Susan really enjoys food, cooking and making people smile. A lot of love and care goes into her bentos, her books and her blog. There’s always a yummy photograph to be found, so be warned if you’re visiting her website, it really does make you ono for onigiri and sandwiches.
