Lunch Box Ideas

Go around the world in one afternoon with an Asian-inspired lunch that even the pickiest eater will love. Start with a cold noodle salad tossed in a savory sauce, then snack on a side of edamame and sip on sweetened green tea lemonade. Find full instructions for making and assembling it, then add a little flair with a pair of personalized chopsticks.
    Cold Noodle Salad

     

     

    Cold Noodle Salad
    Serves 6
    Prep time: 20 minutes

    INGREDIENTS
    1/4 cup canola oil
    2 tablespoons sesame oil
    6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
    6 tablespoons soy sauce
    2 tablespoons garlic-chili sauce
    2” piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
    2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced
    Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
    1 box (14.5 ounces) multigrain spaghetti noodles, cooked

    INSTRUCTIONS
    1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together canola oil, sesame oil, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic-chili sauce, fresh ginger, cilantro and red pepper flakes.
    2. Add spaghetti, then toss to combine.
    How to Make Ahead
    Prepare your noodle salad 2-3 days ahead of time so the flavors have time to meld. Store refrigerated in an airtight container.

    Edamame
    Makes 2 servings
    Cook time: 5 minutes

    INGREDIENTS
    1 bag (16-oz) frozen edamame
    Salt, to taste
    Soy sauce, optional

    INSTRUCTIONS
    1. Cook edamame according to package directions, then season with salt to taste. Serve with side of soy sauce for dipping.
    Tip: Edamame makes a fun side dish any time of day. Your kids will love popping the soy beans out of their pods, and you can toss leftover beans in salads or add with the Nutty Edamame Salad.
    How to Make Ahead
    Store single servings of pre-cooked edamame in airtight containers. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Green Tea Lemonade
    Makes 2 servings
    Prep time: 25 minutes

    INGREDIENTS
    1/2 cup water
    3 green tea bags
    1 cup lemonade
    Sweetener*, to taste

    *Tip: We love to sweeten our tea with honey, but feel free to use your favorite natural or artificial sweetener.

    INSTRUCTIONS
    1. Boil water. In a glass measuring cup, pour water over tea bags. Let stand 15 minutes, then remove tea bags.
    2. Add lemonade and sweetener to taste, then chill. Serve over ice with lemon slices.
    How to Make Ahead
    Prepare tea 2-3 days ahead of time, then pour into clean plastic water bottles and keep refrigerated. For an instant ice pack, put it in the freezer the night before.

    Chopsticks Pocket Assemble the Lunch
    Pack salad, edamame and green tea lemonade in an insulated lunch box