Saturday, August 29, 2009

Around the World: Italy Again

Here's another "Around the World" menu inspired by the cuisine of Italy: Grilled Vegetable Stromboli, Balsamic Strawberries, and a green salad with Italian dressing.

Stromboli is usually made by rolling meats and cheeses up into an Italian bread dough before it's baked. After the loaf is cooked and cooled it's cut into slices and served. You can easily make stromboli with vegan meats and cheeses, but I decided to switch things up and use an assortment of grilled vegetables and a layer of roasted garlic instead.

This lunch was photographed in a Lunchsense lunch box. The owner was kind enough to send me a Lunchsense to photograph for my book, and everyone who saw it was impressed. The containers have tight lids and fit together perfectly along with an ice pack and beverage container in the lunch box, which has a nice shoulder strap and also folds out to make a place mat for your meal. It's a great design, especially if your kids are old enough not to lose track of their containers and lids.

Link: Vegan Lunch Box Around the World.

17 comments:

Alie said...

Jennifer, I started reading your blog in 2006. Finally in 2009 my boys have started first grade and I can finally put some of your lunch packing ideas to work! Thank you for being such an inspiration!
Alicia
http://foodfortheboys.blogspot.com/

Betty Carbuncle said...

I love your around the world lunchboxes!!!!

The Voracious Vegan said...

Now that is what I want for lunch! Grilled veggie stromboli sounds amazing! And that side of strawberries and balsamic vinegar, wow. What a great dessert.

Unknown said...

Yum! I've made breads similar to that before - sundried tomato and olive is nice, also pesto with pinenuts, or mushroom & spinach (well-squeezed of excess moisture, of course). And you can always opt to make them with slightly sweeter fillings like dried fruits and nuts.

mishamoo said...

How leakproof are the lunchsense containers?

Jennifershmoo said...

Very leakproof -- they are "snap and seal" containers and the lids fit snug.

The Rose's said...

If you had to choose a lunchbox for an elementary aged kid - would you choose the Laptop lunchbox set or this Lunchsense? And why?

Millie said...

Presentation is very important and you do a great job of it. Nice.

http://nuestracena-vegancuisine.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

looks yummmm!

Jennifershmoo said...

>>If you had to choose a lunchbox for an elementary aged kid - would you choose the Laptop lunchbox set or this Lunchsense? And why?

Well, that really depends on what you and your kids like. The Laptop is definitely prettier and makes a nicer presentation if you plan to photograph your lunches, and you can get it in so many different colors.

But personally I think the Lunchsense is a better workhorse lunch box -- the lids fit better, the containers are a good size and I love how they all stack together with an ice pack in a square lunch box that's easy to carry and keeps everything upright (the Laptop is carried sideways, so things tend to shift and can get messy).

But again, it depends on what you and your kids like best -- they're both really good lunch boxes.

Anonymous said...

Those stromboli are too cute! I'm sure it makes them taste that much better. & thats a killer lunch box, i'll have to pick one up if i can find one.

AMJ217 said...

I made the caramel dip and wanted to pack apple slices with my lunch tomorrow. I saw that you use OJ to help keep the apples from turing brown. How long do you soak the apples in OJ? Are they packed in OJ in the box? Thanks! Alicia

Jennifershmoo said...

You only need to soak them for a minute or so, then drain and pack. Citrus soda or lemon juice also work.

The Rose's said...

Thanks for the note about the lunchboxes.

I have to tell you I made your "Asian Miracle Dressing" from your last cookbook & my 5 year old (who does like salads) - said "this is the bestest thing ever"

Anonymous said...

I've never had the guts to mix up balsamic strawberries, though now I think temptation may have got the better of me! It looks delicious...

Toni @ Imperfect Pregnancy said...

This looks absolutely fabulous! I'm beginning the journey into vegetarianism and am on the hunt for vegetarian/vegan recipes and I think this stromboli may be a winner. I'm bookmarking your blog and will start "following" it once I figure that part out. :)

http://newveginnings.blogspot.com

daniel john said...

Nice post. I really liked it.. Don't forget to update it regularly. I am looking for new updates dying to read more stuff from you.
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