Let’s Do Lunch: Sandwich Ball Bento!

Over the weekend, I came across the term “sandwich ball” on a bento message board. Intrigued, I Googled it and spent the next 15 minutes or so squealing over adorable spherical sandwiches like these. I had no idea one could even make ball-shaped sandwiches — I’m not very artsy or creative, when it comes right down to it, and the thought would never have crossed my mind — but this great how-to made it seem manageable, so I decided to make a sandwich ball bento for Jack to take to preschool today.

Not bad for a first attempt, right?! Using two slices of wheat bread, one slice of white, and a tablespoon of peanut butter for each, I followed the instructions to make three sandwich balls. Then, I cut expressions out of fruit leather and, using a toothpick, dabbed some honey on the expressions to stick them to the bread. For the middle sandwich ball, I used food markers to draw on the mouth and tongue. To round out the meal, I boiled and egg and shaped it with a fish mold, then used the food markers to color some of the details. I also filled a silicone muffin cup with half a cut-up mozzarella cheese stick and salami rounds folded in fourths (with an animal pick for easy cheese pick-up). I used a baran sheet to separate the first sandwich ball from the egg, and finally, I wedged in a few grapes to keep things from sliding around in Jack’s lunch bag.

Wow, I am seriously so excited by these sandwich balls (so many jokes to make, so little time). Just imagine the possibilities!

Oh, and I hope everyone had a wonderful, treat-filled Halloween!