Back-to-School Bento #3
I don’t create many cute bento box lunches, but if I had a little tyke, I’d probably pack a school lunch like this one!
Sandwiches are simple to make and depending on the fillings, healthy and most importantly very “ bento-packable”!
Today’s back-to-school bento features a grilled cheese sandwich. Actualy two grilled cheese sandwiches…there’s another one under the pumpernickel automobile. Grilling the sandwich will toast the outside of the bread which keeps the inside soft. It kind of “seals” the sandwich.
If grilling or toasting is not an option, and you want to avoid the ”soggy-sandwich-syndrome”, try building your sandwich like how I described in this post.
The other items in this small lunch are carrots and blueberries wrapped in thin slices of cucumbers. You can substitute the cucumbers with pickles. Just slice them (like I did with the cukes) using a mandolin for the same effect.
As with a sandwich, grapes and cherry tomatoes are easy to eat with fingers. The theory for not using utensils is it’s easier for your little ones…and there’s less risk for losing that “kawaii-cute” matching fork! 
I added vegetarian ham on the side instead of placing inside the sandwich just to keep things interesting. If cold-cuts aren’t your child’s “thing”, then small sausages or a chicken drumette would work here too!
Here’s the bento showing the bottom sandwich which is made with potato bread for color and flavor contrast. The bottom sandwich is just a plain rectangle shape that fills most of the bento.
The car-shaped sammy was created by using a cookie cutter. I advise cutting the shapes out before grilling. I did it both ways, but when I tried cutting out after grilling , the bread surface cracked. I embellished the car with pickle, cheese and carrots, but it’s not necessary. You can clearly see the intended shape so your child will recognize that it’s a car-shaped sammy!
It really didn’t add much time for these extra touches. Try it out and see for yourself!
I can’t emphasize enough that packing bento box lunches for school or for work should be stress-free! Take some time now before school restarts (although I’ve read that some areas are already in session) and practice your techniques and time-management.
The bento lifestyle is not for everyone. But you won’t know if it’s your lifestyle unless you give it a try! :)
An unsolicited note about this bento box from Japanistic. It’s one of my favorites as the lid allows for “head room” and doesn’t squash the contents. It’s perfect for “small-kid” lunches or Saba Man snacks!
This bento has been added to “What’s for lunch Wednesday”.
Great idea debra – I’m going to replicate this for bacon’s lunch for days when he insist on plain sammies
Hi mils! Thanks!
Love this! It would be perfect for Ben, he loves when the sandwiches are cuter.
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Thanks Shannon, it’s nice when they like “the cute”.
I don’t have any one to make the “cute” bento lunch for, so I don’t do them often and usually for me! This is a cute car, great idea!
Hey there Lyndsey, yep I make cute for me but mostly plain ones for Saba Man.
I made a grilled cheese sandwich today with a cookie cutter. Adding grated garlic to the butter for the outside of the sandwich is delicious, but perhaps better suited to adults, or more adventurous kids.
Thanks Sonoma Bento for the garlic butter suggestion. Sounds divine!
Love those tires! Wish I had ‘em on my car for reals!
Hi sheri, Thanks so much! I’ll make more tires for you, if you really want them!
Hi Debra, such a cute & creative bento. I love those carrots and blueberries wrapped in thin slices of cucumbers, great idea. I should try it too…but, my son doesn’t eat cucumber. Those tires are cute too. I love the bento box as well, so cute. I have a bento box like this with no picture on the lid, I like it just like what you said, allows for “head room” and doesn’t squash the contents.
(Opps…too long the comments)
Thanks Emily! That’s too bad that your son doesn’t like cucumber maybe another type of thin sliced veggie will work instead.
Cool car! Love the cute wheels and your pretty arrangement for this bento
Thanks Lia! I like creating cute but will need to practice more to get as good as you!
I know I already tweeted but had to stop by and post too…not only is the box just adorable itself, but the car is so awesome! Love how you used the cucumbers and champaign grapes as well!!
Aww…Thanks Steph! So nice of you to leave such sweet comments. I love these little grapes!
Your bento are always so cute…
Thanks Mika!
This is a cool box, I like it!
Hi Mjami, Yes, this box is very cool and I use it often.
I like the green tinted windows and the wheels! How did you make the wheels? So cool!
Thanks Xelia, I didn’t even think that the pickle looked like a green tinted window! How cool is that?
Really fun and super cute–the snazzy wheels are so cool. And of course the box is just adorable, an instant to lift to see these forest-dancing cuties
Thanks Jenn! Snazzy! Love that description.
This is such a cute bento! Love the colour combination so much! And agreed with Jenn, the snazzy wheels is just too cute!
Thank you KidsDreamWork!
EEEKS! adorable!! love the pumpernickel car (with the pickle window), the cold cut “road”, and the pretty wrapped items in the upper left. what a wonderful and whimsical lunch! plus healthy and extremely well-balanced. KUDOS!