Kids & Adult Bento-Box Lunches | Italian Centre Shop
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Prep Time

30 min

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Total Time

30 min

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Serves

4 lunches

Ingredients

Kids Sandwich-Skewer Bento-Box Lunch:

1x ciabatta bun, cut into cubes

4 slices roast turkey, cut in half

8 slices mild genoa salami

80-100g cheddar or gouda cheese

8 baby tomatoes

2 apples

1/2 cup honey greek yogurt

1x bag carrot chips

 

Adult Pasta Salad Bento-Box Lunch:

500g bag frozen cheese tortellini

3x small red cocktail tomatoes, seeded and chopped

2x orange tomatoes, seeded and chopped

2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

1 1/3 cups arugula

1 ⅓ cup dates

1/2 cup almond butter

Cherries (or apple slices)

 

Dressing:

1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 ½ tbsp red wine vinegar

1/2 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Pinch pepper

Instructions

Kids Sandwich-Skewer Bento-Box Lunch:

  1. To prep the sandwich skewers, cut the ciabatta bun into 12 cubes and fold the meat into squares.
  2. Cut the cheese into cubes or thicker slices. Or, use a small cookie cutter to cut the cheese into fun shapes.
  3. To assemble the skewers, place a piece of bread on the skewer as a base followed by turkey, salami, cheese tomato, another bread cube then turkey, salami, cheese and end with one more bread cube. Repeat to create 4 skewers.
  4. Use a rectangular container to assemble one bento box lunch with 1x sandwich skewer, slices from half an apple, 2 tbsp honey greek yogurt and a handful of carrot chips. Repeat to create 4 bento box lunches.
  5. Pack for lunch and enjoy!

 

Adult Pasta Salad Bento-Box Lunch:

  1. Cook the tortellini according to package directions, drain and let cool.
  2. In the meantime, prep the tomatoes by slicing in half and using a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then chop the tomatoes.
  3. Make the dressing by adding all the ingredients to a mason jar or jar with a lid, shaking to combine.
  4. Once the tortellini is cooled, add the dressing and toss to combine. Then add the tomatoes and basil, tossing gently to combine. **Add in the arugula 1/3 cup at a time just before you take lunch to ensure it stays fresh and crisp**
  5. To assemble one bento box, use a small container with the almond butter to separate the tortellini salad portion from the dates and cherries (or apple slices). Each tortellini salad portion will be a quarter of the entire salad that is made.
  6. If you don’t have a container that works, use a small container for the tortellini pasta salad and put the almond butter, dates and cherries (or apple slices) together in a second container.
  7. Repeat to create 4 bento box lunches.

TIPS

  • Squeeze a bit of lemon over the apple slices before putting them into the container to keep from browning.
  • Mix and match whichever type of meat and cheese you’d like!
  • You can absolutely use different types of tortellini OR even your favourite gluten free pasta for the pasta salad.