Back to School Sushi Lunchbox

By Marilyn Hunter

As back-to-school time approached, I found myself feeling contradicted. It’s a wonderful time for the boys, but frankly packing lunches and snacks every day can be an overwhelming task.

I’m always on the lookout for lunchbox inspiration to expand the repertoire. As a mom, I’m interested in healthy choices that are also quick and easy; but as the wife of a chef, I can feel a little self-conscious about the contents of my boys’ lunchboxes. Truth is, Ben and Nick are as finicky as the next kid but I still feel the need to go the extra mile to make their lunches special.

They love sushi so much they would be happy enough to eat it every day. And they enjoy the little responsibility that comes with assembling things, so I recently started packing a sushi kit for them to make their own at school. I use a bento box and fill it with sushi rice sprinkled with a little toasted sesame seeds on top and lots of snack-size nori (roasted seaweed). I pack a variety of bite-sized food that they can fold up in the nori.

Here are a few of their favorites:

• Thinly sliced (matchstick-size) carrots, cucumbers, red bell peppers and avocado
• Deli meats such as turkey or ham
• Cooked chicken, beef or tofu, especially teriyaki chicken
• Omelette
• Edamame

To get the recipe and shopping list on your smartphone (iPhone, BlackBerry, Android device) or PC, click here.

Easy Sushi Rice
2 cups sushi or short-grain rice
2 cups water
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

1. Rinse rice until water runs clear. Drain and place rice and water in a rice cooker or a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes, covered.
2. Heat rice vinegar in a small pan over low heat. Stir in sugar and salt until dissolved.
3. Transfer rice to a large glass or wooden bowl and gently toss the vinegar mixture with the rice. Let rice cool to room temperature before using. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a little added flavor.

Even if your kids aren’t fans of nori, you can use the same bento box concept with a variety of other wrappers like small flour tortillas or lavash, a soft thin flatbread.

Try an adult dinner party version of make-your-own sushi.

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