Nihongo-a-Go-Go :: Mandy's Journal

Lunchbox!

Lately, Aimee and I are trying to save a bit more money by conscientiously making the choice to take lunch to work and to cook dinner at home, rather than buy these meals at convenient stores, bakeries, department stores, etc. I'm not sure how much we're actually saving, but I'd wager a lot. Our grocery bills are a bit higher, but only by about ten to fifteen dollars. Usually, Aimee cooks dinner, and it has become my job to make lunch.

And that's all sorts of fun!

Today I packed sandwiches, but usually I pack lunch in our little bentos, our (more) traditional style Japanese lunchboxes. They seem small, but I am very full after finishing one.

The key to really packing a good lunchbox is to not only make it a balanced and interesting and tasty meal, but also to make it look good. I struggle with this, I confess. Mostly because in the morning I'm just a little too bitter and tired to be cutting up the carrot slices into leaf shapes. Call me undomesticated. But I've come to enjoy creating combinations and setting them up just so. I've also recently acquired the little paper cups (like decorated tiny cupcake liners) and little plastic grass hedges that keep the different types of food separate. I want my lunches to be super cute, but that will come with time, I guess.

For your enjoyment, I'm posting Monday's lunch. It was tasty!

Just for your info, the top layer has, from right to left, chicken meatballs in a tomato sauce, pieces of chicken cooked in garlic sauce, cherry tomatoes, and sweet beans. The bottom layer has rice, topped with a blasphemous fish full of soy sauce. I also usually add a little container of yogurt or pudding, and then a little sweet, such as a few marshmallows. Yay!

Posted by Mandy at June 22, 2005 12:46 AM