California Cobb Salad Bento

This bento has a sunny California theme. It is based on my personal recipe for Cobb Salad.

Contents:

Cobb Salad: This salad is made from lettuce (preferably romaine, but I'll use any that I get a deal on), grilled chicken strips, sliced mushrooms, sliced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers and a sliced hard boiled egg.

Mini Container Ranch Dressing: This was the only item that didn't fit in the box.

Small Container Crackers

Clementine: I got a bag of tiny mandarins at Aldi, so I included two of them.

Mini Container Orange Chocolates: I was aiming for something made with dark chocolate and orange, like maybe chocolate-covered orange peels, but I couldn't find anything like that. The closest I found was Brookside Blood Orange & Peach Chocolates, which are in the bottom of the box, under the mandarins.

UPDATE: At the 42nd & Grover Mega-Saver, which I've officially awarded the title of Most Interesting Convenience Store in Omaha, I found a box of Mella Dark Chocolate Covered Orange Jelly Chocolates, which I can't wait to try the next time I do this bento.

New Lunch Kit Found at Family Fare Dollar Zone

I found this lunch kit at the Dollar Zone at Family Fare. Cost: one buck.

It comes complete with cutlery in the lid.

This should be the perfect box for my California Cobb Salad Bento.

Mexican Bento

This is a Mexican-themed Bento. It's also vegetarian, and vegan if you substitute a vegan cheese substitute for the cheese in the quesadilla.

Contents:

Whole Wheat Bean & Cheese Quesadilla: Spread half of a whole wheat tortilla with refried beans and top with shredded cheddar (or jack or marble jack or Mexican Blend, or...) cheese. Fold the tortilla in half and stick it in the microwave for a minute, just till it gets hot and the cheese melts. Cut it into 4 wedges with a pizza cutter.

Mini Container Salsa: I used the little container in the chips & dip container for my salsa.

Small Container Guacamole: Mash up 2 ripe avocados in a bowl with a potato masher. Add one 4 oz. can of diced green chiles, the juice of one lime, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and stir it all together.

Small Container Tortilla Chips

Medium Container Rice & Beans: Mix together in a bowl one package of ready-to-serve brown rice, one drained 15 oz. can of black beans, one drained 10 oz. can of diced tomatoes & green chiles, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Medium Container Corn Salsa: Mix together one thawed 12 oz. bag of frozen corn, 1/2 cup chopped green onions, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 chopped poblano pepper (if you can't find poblano peppers in your store, substitute a red bell pepper), 1 minced jalapeño pepper, the juice of one lime, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Small Container Cantaloupe Balls & Kiwi Slices

Dark Chocolate Squares: I usually just throw in a Dove Dark Chocolate Bar.

The guacamole, rice & beans, and corn salsa recipes will make lots more than what you will put in this bento. Just fill the suggested containers, and save the rest for later.

Here's how it looks all packed up the the Dollar Tree cupcake container. Not all of the containers fit, so two had to ride shotgun.