Ozark Living

By Chef Erin Rowe School's back in session… well, pretty much this August. It was out for summer – and what a great time that was with all the outdoor celebrations and gatherings. But I'm giving you some homework now! If you've got the little ones heading back to the cafeteria, and they'd like to skip the school- bought lunch, here are some great suggestions for healthy snacks and meals to take with them on campus, for the kids or the kid in you! Also, not all of us have children (myself included), so I've reached out to two of my best girlfriends (who also are amazing moms) to get their take on what's trending at their kids' tables of higher education. Heck, I've even tossed in some great ideas/ recipes on kid-friendly classics that you could pack up for your work lunchbox. Adulting can still be fun. And these recipes will bring back those familiar flavors of gradeschool with a gourmet twist. You'll be the coolest person in the break room again. Your co-workers will be so jealous they didn't think of this, and they'll totally swing by your cubicle more oen. Here with Ozark Eats, we "bring it" and that means both kids, and adults, to the lunch table – wherever you find yours in Northwest Arkansas. Bentoboxes are becoming all the rage for kids and even adult lunches. Here you can split up your food in different colored boxes that keep them from leaching into another. People can be particular about that and kids are no exception. Also they're dishwasher-safe and really just super fun to set up each day, creating an edible art-piece if you use colorful foods (that are also healthy)! Besides a bento or lunch box, other tools that help for easier packing include silicon cupcake liners (crackers, cheese, etc); sandwich shape cutter; small cutters for fruits, veggies and cheese; small dip containers; ice packs to keep them cold; and thermoses for hot foods (Omniebox makes great ones). I love the idea of making a charcuterie assemblage with fresh fruits, veggies, crackers and cheeses for kids. Also a DIY PB & J with crackers is a nice touch! Be sure to include a plastic knife for spreading! If your kids or you are allergic to nuts, sunbutter (from sunflower seeds is a tasty alternative to nut butters and very popular in the school systems these days. Also, utilize leovers, like pumpkin pancakes or brioche in the bread element of your lunches (I'd spread a raspberry cream cheese blended spread on those pancakes and make a tasty sandwich from them if it were me! Also, as an adult, you may still love you a good PB&J but how about using brioche bread and grilling it before putting some almond butter and blackberry jam between the slices? Microwave at work? Warm up last night's stir fry and toss in some edamame to salt with it! No one will know you didn't pop by the Asian restaurant and spend a bundle like they did! How about some gourmet adult mac & SAVED by the LUNCH! 10 • AU G U S T 2023 • O Z A R K L I V I N G

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