Aki and I often give out tasting samples of Yumbini to customers in stores. We meet so many nice people! One common theme is busy parents looking for quick, easy, healthy meal solutions for themselves and their kids – especially school lunch!
Here are three ways to guarantee Yumbini is a big hit at the school lunch table:
Hot - in an insulated container:
This is as easy as one, two, three!
1 – Pour Yumbini into an insulated container
2 – Add (3/4 – 1 cup) BOILING water
3 – Screw on the top – wait for lunch!
The Yumbini will be ready to eat in under an hour. The insulated container will keep it warm until lunchtime. Note, Yumbini absorbs more water as it sits. So, for a texture on the softer side, add a little more water (up to 1 cup). Please use a measuring cup for boiling water, not the empty Yumbini bag.
And don’t miss this article about how the “boiling water/Thermos” method saved Yumbini fan, May Yee, from “bad fair food” and propelled her to win best decorated cake at the California State Fair!
Cold - with a cold pack:
Make Yumbini the night before, stash it in the refrigerator overnight and include a cold pack in the morning to keep it cool. This recipe describes colorful and appetizing ways to make Japanese-style “bento” with Yumbini. Read more about bento here.
Or, create a cold Yumbini salad bowl with greens and/or other vegetables. Smoky Chipotle makes a great taco salad. Curried Turmeric is good with yogurt and cucumbers. Cowboy BBQ goes well with lettuce or kale and bell peppers.
Plan to include a sauce or dressing with cold Yumbini to avoid any dryness. Delicious creamy additions to cold Yumbini are things like unsweetened yogurt, guacamole, vinaigrette, salad dressing, sour cream, salsa, chutney, ketchup or even a dab of mayonnaise.
Check out our recipes for Southwestern Platter Salad, Orange and Black Halloween Salad, Merry and Bright Pomegranate Curry Salad, Tangy Cinco de Mayo Salad, Curried Lentil Salad with Yogurt and Cilantro, and the ever-famous Lovely Layered Lunch!
As a dip - frozen:
Yumbini can become a delectable dip for veggies – and a great alternative to hummus. Freeze dip in a small container overnight and slip it into lunch bags in the morning. It will be thawed by lunchtime, and keep the veggies fresh until then.
Here are two dip recipes to get you started. You can probably think of more!
Bonus - after school:
In addition to school lunch, Yumbini makes a great snack once kids get home.
Older kids can make Yumbini themselves in the microwave (or on the stove).
Follow this guide to make sure their cooking adventure is successful!
PS - nourishes the rest of the family too!:
All of the above tips work for mom or dad too. The perfect “work lunch” or quick dinner (or snack) for the family. Take a look at these other different ways to make Yumbini. And don’t miss the easiest thing to eat for lunch, and this ultimate guide of shelf stable toppings for Yumbini!
Voila! School lunch made easy – and more!
