Oceans of Fun Bento

Cinco de Mayo - Pasta and Noodle

Getting ready to take a family vacation to the beach? Kickstart the kiddos' enthusiasm by serving them an ocean-themed lunch. It's a good way to sneak in some spinach (seaweed) to boot. Get creative with the rest of the bento by using baked fish crackers, grapes for sea pebbles, seaweed chips, all things ocean related cookie cutters including fish, turtle, shark, star for starfish, lobster, etc. for other items to go in the box. Don't forget that special sweet treat. I used gummy octopus but Swedish fish and gummy worms would work well too.

Brief

Prep 10 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Additional: 3 mins

Total: 28 mins

Servings: 1

Yield: 1 bento box

Oceans of Fun Bento

Ingredients

½ hot dog

2 cups water

1 (3 ounce) package ramen noodles

6 cauliflower florets

¼ cup chopped baby spinach

Jalapeno Margaritas

Pasta and Noodle

Directions

Step 1

Place hot dog half on a flat work surface. Cut a slit from the bottom to within 1 inch of the top. Turn the hot dog half 90 degrees to the uncut side and repeat. Cut each of 4 \legs\ halfway down the middle to make 8 octopus \legs\.

Step 2

Bring a small pot of water to a boil; add hot dog octopus. Cook until heated through 2 to 3 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

Bring 2 cups water to a boil in the same pot. Add ramen noodles and cauliflower; cook until softened 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in ramen seasoning until dissolved. Remove from heat; add spinach. Let stand until spinach wilts about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Assemble bento box with ramen noodle mixture and octopus hot dog.

Nutritional Information

Oceans of Fun Bento

Servings Per Recipe:1

Calories: 152.3

% Daily Value *

Protein: 5.5g 11%

Carbohydrates: 12.8g 4%

Dietary Fiber: 2.5g 10%

Sugars: 2.7g

Fat: 9.2g 14%

Saturated Fat: 3.3g 16%

Cholesterol: 12mg 4%

Vitamin A Iu: 716.4IU 14%

Niacin Equivalents: 1.9mg 15%

Vitamin B6: 0.2mg 13%

Vitamin C: 38.3mg 64%

Folate: 61.3mcg 15%

Calcium: 46.8mg 5%

Iron: 1mg 6%

Magnesium: 29.3mg 11%

Potassium: 336.2mg 9%

Sodium: 596.8mg 24%

Thiamin: 0.1mg 6%

Calories From Fat: 82.5

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.