The Ninja Baker - #kidfriendly

3 Back-to-School Bentos, #Glutino

NinjaBaker — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 06:02:08 +0000

Glutino gifted me with free gluten-free products for this post. All opinions are my own.

Autumn is on the horizon. Let the best school lunch box games begin! Are you ready? Glutino kindly sent me kid-friendly gluten-free lunch box items. Inspired, I set out to create 3 Back-to-School Bentos packed with Glutino gluten-free goodness.

Here’s why the Glutino products in the Ninja Baker’s bentos are great eats:
1. The Bread: The Glutino Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread is fluffy and filled with wholesome goodness. The Cinnamon Raisin sings spice and the plump, juicy raisins harmonize sweetly.
2. The Animal Crackers: Both Glutino Animal Crackers are slightly softer than the crisper counterpart. Both versions (original and graham) deliver greater depths of flavor.
3. The Pop Tarts and Breakfast Bars: Soft pastry hugs strawberry and blueberry jams. As a “regular” pop tart fan from way back I thought the lack of frosting might deter from deliciousness. It doesn’t. The uber-sweet frosting was not missed.

In Japan, bento lunch boxes range in presentation (and price!) From the silly to the sophisticated, bento lunch boxes are carried out of the home. Or purchased in depa chika department store basement food halls. (The grand displays definitely rival the aisles of the famed Harrods of London.) Homemade bento boxes – like anything homemade – are filled with love. And an opportunity to have a bit of creative fun…. What kind of bento boxes do you want to pack? Love to hear in the comments section.

Bunny Love Bento

A scrumptious scoop of animal crackers stars in this gluten-free bento lunch. The bento is chock full of veggies, nuts and fruits that a bunny would love. But Bunny Love Bentos are not just for “wabbits.” (Remember the Trix cereal commercial?)

You’ll need:
A Japanese bento box
Bunny rabbit cookie cutters

Ingredients:

Almond butter and a favorite jam
Apple slices
Carrot sticks
Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers
Glutino Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin or Multigrain Bread
Raisins or dried cranberries

Directions:

Slather almond butter and jam on bread. Top with another slice of bread. Firmly but gently press the bunny cookie cutter into the sandwich.

Arrange the bunny sandwiches atop a nest of raisins or dried cranberries.

Fill the rest of the bento box with apple and carrot slices. Generously add a handful of animal crackers.

Gluten-Free Strawberry Pop Tart Sandwich Bento

This Gluten-Free Strawberry Pop Tart Sandwich Bento is a twist on a childhood lunch. Cream cheese and jam sandwiches were introduced to me in Tokyo by my stepmother. Apparently it was a ‘50s classic.

Go with red apples for an all red theme. Go for green apples if you prefer a bit of tart to balance sweet pastry.

Ingredients:

Dried cherries or cranberries
Green or red apple slices
Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry or Cinnamon Apple Toaster Pastry (aka Pop Tarts)
Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers
Vegan (or dairy) cream cheese
Optional: A small surprise gift for your child

Directions:

Scoop a tablespoon (or more!) of cream cheese between the halves of a Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastry. Sprinkle in dried fruit alongside fresh fruit. Add a generous handful of animal crackers. Tuck a surprise trinket into the bento box as an extra treat.

ABC Glutino Snack Pack

My ABC Glutino Snack Pack Bento is one smart way to approach snack time. Your child will give you an A+ for yumminess. (Shhh, don’t tell him/her the treats are actually healthy!)

Ingredients:

Almond Butter
Carrot Sticks
Glutino Apple, Blueberry, Cherry or Strawberry Breakfast Bar
Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers

Directions:

Accompany a scoop of organic almond or peanut butter with carrot sticks. Throw a breakfast bar into the bento box. Plant a kiss on your child. Pat yourself for making smart choices and being a stellar parent!

Wishing you inspired bento boxes sprinkled with Love.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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Chicken Ramen Mini Casseroles, #SundaySupper

NinjaBaker — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 06:35:07 +0000

Ramen. The Japanese noodles are everywhere. First I thought LA’s love affair with ramen was exclusive to this City of Angels. However, after traveling across this (mostly) great United (sometimes) States of America, I see Japanese ramen noodles nodding hello from the Asian aisles in supermarkets in even the sleepiest seaside towns.

The Ninja Baker's Chicken Ramen Mini Casseroles

America’s welcome of the ubiquitous Japanese ramen makes sense. Ramen is a DIY fast food. Ripping open a package of ramen is a relief for a multi-tasking mom or for the college student burning the midnight oil. Plus, like any do-it-yourself project, the crafter has the power to decorate ramen noodles with whatever topping is desired.

Here are a few suggestions of how to serve up Japanese ramen noodles with panache.

This weekend I created Chicken Ramen Mini Casseroles…It’s raining in LA – classic comfort food weather! What better way to enjoy the pitter-patter of rain harmonizing with the hissing heater?

Ramen swirled in creamy chicken soup with veggies and chunks of chicken.

My chicken ramen mini casseroles are baked in ramekins. Creamy Campbell’s Soup goodness hugs green peas, carrots, corn, roasted chicken in a nest of ramen noodles. Another plus, for those of us who have repeatedly heard, “Patience is a virtue that will never hurt you.” In less than 30 minutes, you and yours can dig into steaming hot chicken ramen mini casseroles. In other words, my recipe creates extra time to put your feet up and enjoy another episode of Downton Abbey. (The British import is a glorified soap opera. But, sooooo engaging and addictive.) Which show would you watch with your chicken ramen mini casserole?

Chicken Ramen Mini Casseroles

Low on time? Highly concerned about health and deliciousness?

Chicken ramen mini casseroles are your kid-friendly solution.

My chicken ramen mini casseroles are also a fantastic way to use leftovers in a flavorful fashion!

Adapted from Campbell Soup's Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole recipe.

Ingredients:

1 packet (3 ounces) ramen noodles
1 cup mixed vegetables, cooked and cubed
½ cup coconut milk
1 can (10 ¾ ounces) fat free cream of chicken soup
1 cup roasted chicken, finely shredded

Directions:

1. Boil ramen noodles (without the seasoned soup packet) in 2 cups of water. Drain.
2. In a large pan, over medium-low heat, gently stir together the ramen, veggies, coconut milk, soup and chicken.
3. Divide the casserole contents into 5 ramekins (rubbed with coconut oil or greased with butter.)
4. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.
5. Serve hot and savor the smiles of happiness on the faces of friends and family.

Mommy, TV star and blogger Alice of A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen hosts our captivating casserole themed #SundaySupper at Twitter today. (Scroll down for your invite to the virtual table.) If you visit A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen , you'll see Alice is an awesome mommy, wife and food aficionado! Here's the fantastic list of yummy casseroles she's assembled for #SundaySupper!

Captivating Breakfast Casseroles

Boozy Baked French Toast from Brunch with Joy
Orange & Date Wife Saver Breakfast Casserole from A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
Spinach, Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole from The Redhead Baker

Appetizing Casserole Sides

Baked Cauli-Tots Casserole from Cupcake and Kale Chips
Savory Sweet Potato and Sausage Bread Pudding from Nik Snacks
Shredded Brussels Sprouts Casserole from Take A Bite Out of Boca

Main Event Casseroles

Artichoke and Spinach Macaroni and Cheese Casserole from Ruffles & Truffles
Baked Penne with Roasted Cauliflower and Italian Sausage from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Bison Meatloaf Casserole from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
Cheesy Chicken Corkscrew Casserole from Recipes Food and Cooking
Cheesy, Creamy, Cauliflower and Sausage Casserole from Eating In Instead
Chicken Enchiladas from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Bake from Alida's Kitchen
Chicken Ramen Mini Casseroles from The Ninja Baker
Chicken with Whole Grains Casserole from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Chinese Noodle Casserole from Momma's Meals
Crab Casserole for Two from Magnolia Days
Homemade Poppy Seed Chicken from Food Done Light
Fully Loaded Tater Tot Casserole from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
King Ranch Casserole from The Texan New Yorker
King Ranch Mac and Cheese from The Weekend Gourmet
Baked Ziti with Meatballs from Curious Cuisiniere
Mexican Lasagna from MealDiva
Mom's Taco Casserole from Lifestyle Food Artistry
Moroccan Polenta Casserole from Pancake Warriors
Moussaka from Nosh My Way
Neeps & Tatties Casserole from Happy Baking Days
Quick No Boil Tuna Pasta Bake from Mess Makes Food
Sausage Peppers and Onion Pasta Casserole from Family Foodie
Southwestern Spaghetti Pie from The Messy Baker
Cheesy, Layered Italian Pasta Torta from La Bella Vita Cucina
Stove-top Four Cheese Mac and Cheese from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Supreme Pizza Strata from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Sweet Corn and Green Chile Chicken Tamale Pie from Simply Healthy Family
Taco Casserole from Peanut Butter and Peppers

Decadent Dessert and Sweet Casseroles

Baked Lemon Dessert from Food Lust People Love
The Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from Pies and Plots
Butterscotch Bread Pudding from The Foodie Army Wife
Classic Apple Crisp from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Ultimate Deep Dish Brownies from Recipe for Perfection
Vegan Oreo Rice Krispie Treats from Killer Bunnies, Inc

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Wishing you ramenlicious days of rapture.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Follow Ninja Baker @NinjaBaking's board NinjaBaker.com Savories on Pinterest.

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