Pooltime Snack Bentos

This past weekend was all about lounging by the pool, well that and a bit of working and some art purchasing, but mostly about lounging by the pool. I made these two snack bentos for my step daughter and myself so we could play in the pool a bit longer without having to head back inside for replenishments. Her bento has a selection of Croque Monsieur sandwiches, a couple of cherry tomatoes, cucumber flowers, a cucumber "baran", a few slices of cheese, and half of a nectarine with a cute little bunny pick.

My snack bento also contains a few Croque Monsieur sandwiches, a cucumber flower, a homemade cornichon pickle, a little hunk of brie cheese, blueberries in a paper cup, a few cherry tomatoes, and two olives.

If you are wondering where to get the cutters to make the cucumber flowers, I suggest getting them from Amazon. I had really quick delivery and they are so useful to add that special touch to your bento boxes. Here are the two sets that I purchased: Stainless Steel Vegetable Cutters #K8444 "100% Made in Japan!!" and Vegetable Cutters, Stainless Steel set of 6 large #450106.

Croque Monsieur Bento

I just couldn't let the Bastille Day holiday pass without one more frenchie bento. Croque Monsieur is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich that is quite popular in France. I made these with slices of baguette, Fra'mani Rosemary ham, and emmentaler cheese. Also in this bento: a selection of multicolored cherry tomatoes, olives, some homemade cornichon pickles, and a hunk of brie cheese.

This bento also works in the Bento Summer School series. This week's lesson is about sandwiches. There are TONS of ways to include small sandwiches in bento boxes. This sandwich is a bit more conventional, but be sure to check out the lesson on sandwiches to get lots of ideas provided by Susan Yuen of Hawaii's Bento Box.