A Whimsical Lunch for Your Little Paleontologist

Go back in time with your favorite little paleontologist: a time when salami and cheese - filled dinosaurs wandered the earth and hard-boiled dinosaur  eggs snuggled in pretzel nests were tucked under prehistoric broccoli trees. This whimsical dinosaur lunch will delight any little paleontologist, even the most picky one.

                                                            Dinosaur Bento Box
                                                                  adapted from
                                                               Everyday Bento
                                                           Wendy Thorpe Copley

Ingredients

Sliced whole-wheat bread
Sliced cheese
Sliced salami
Desired sandwich condiments
Lettuce leaves for garnish  (optional)
Pretzel sticks
Hard-boiled Egg
Raw or lightly steamed broccoli

Equipment
Single-tier bento box divided into three
   sections
Dinosaur cutter
Kitchen shears
Food-safe marker

Directions

Cut four dinosaur shapes from the bread.

Cut two dinosaur shapes from the chrese. Layer the cheese on two of the dinosaur - shaped bread slices, matching up the edges.

Arrange several slices of salami to match the approximate shape of the dinosaur cutter. Cut into two dinosaur shapes. Layer the salami on top of the dinosaur-shaped bread and cheese, matching up the edges.

Cut two slices of salami in half and lay them round side on the bread, cheese, and salami so they stick out over the edge of the dinosaurs' backs about 1/2 inch. Add your desired condiments to the remaining dinosaur-shaped slices of  bread and use these slices to top the sandwiches.

Use kitchen shears to cut triangles from the slices of salami that are overhanging the edge of the sandwich, to create a spiky effect.

Layer the lettuce in the largest section of the bento box and place the dinosaur sandwiches on top.

Break the pretzel sticks in half and place in the bottom of one of the remaining sections of the bento box to form a nest for the egg.

Use the food-safe marker to draw dots all over the eggshell. Place the egg on top of the pretzels.

Place the broccoli in the remaining section of the bento box.

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