Book Review: Yum-Yum Bento Box

by: Crystal Watanabe and Maki Ogawa

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Oh, boy—obento! These yummy, healthy lunches are all the rage in Japan, where mothers create them as expressions of love for their children. With Yum-Yum Bento Box, Crystal Watanabe and Maki Ogawa devote an entire cookbook to these delicious and adorable meals for all ages! Learn how to craft your favorite foods into a variety of shapes—from caterpillars, cars, and puppy dogs to pretty flowers, princesses, and kitty cats.

Yum-Yum Bento Box features chapters on Cuties & Critters, Fairy-Tale Friends, and Special Day Treats, plus a handy shopping guide, easy recipes for mini snacks, general tips and tricks, and so much more. Stop wasting money on pre-packaged lunches—and start making beautiful, healthy bentos!

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I wanted this book for so long, but I have to admit I didn't think it was anything I'd be able to pull off. I still haven't tried anything yet, but the difference is now I think I can.

They break down lots of recipes to make these cute little bento lunches. They go into the history a bit, and all the tools of the trade. Then they give cost cutting ideas to get the same effect without having to buy a whole new kitchen. Crystal and Maki also encourage creativity and use of leftovers as well as balancing out the meal.

I also thought I'd need to get a special bento box, but this is another myth they slash. There are traditional and contemporary boxes, but you can simply buy a small storage container as well. Thanks goodness, I have boxes on hand for that.

I'm really looking forward to making these during time off from school, while we go on our adventures instead of just getting fast food. The small storage would easily pack up into coolers for us to enjoy later on.