We were recently invited to the launch of Mission Pita at Starhill Culinary Studio where Chef Zam, armed with his infectious personality, demonstrated a range of easy-to-make recipes that will no doubt beat your lunchbox blues. So if you happen to be one of those people who think that packing your own lunch to work involves way too much time and effort (I’m guilty!), these recipes will show you otherwise. We were there at the live cooking show and let me tell you, they are fun and easy to make and they taste amazing!
Mission Pita is super easy to use and the possibilities are endless, whether you choose to fill it or use it as a pizza base. At the launch, Chef Zam encouraged more people to pack their lunches from home as store-bought sandwiches and snacks have additives and they are often loaded with high in fat and salt sauces and dressings.
“Making your own lunches is the only way to know what’s going in them. It’s really easier than it sounds, and the secret is in mixing things up a bit so you’re not eating the same old thing every day,” Chef Zam explains.
We don’t know about you but it makes perfect sense! Plus, it’s a great way to get rid of leftovers. We’ve done the tasting and now it’s your turn to start making the lunchbox cool again. Here are two recipes that you can easily try out at home and take to work.
1. MISSION CHICKEN TIKKA PITA SANDWICH
Chicken Tikka Masala with Cucumber Raita
Ingredients:
Marinade:
- 1 cup plain yogurt, whisked until smooth
- 2” ginger + 3 cloves garlic- minced into a paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 pieces chicken breasts- cut into chunks
Sauce:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2” ginger }
- 6 cloves garlic } minced into a paste
- 2 green chilies }
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ teaspoonsalt
- 1 to 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Minced fresh cilantro, for garnish
Method:
- In a large bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken cubes and toss to coat. Marinate at least 20 minutes, or in the refrigerator up to overnight.
- Heat up some oil in a pan and saute the chicken cubes until half done. Set aside.
- Using the same pan, add the butter. Saute the ginger-garlic-green chillipaste until lightly browned around the edges. Add the tomato paste and cook until the tomato has darkened in colour, about 3 minutes. Add the garam masala and the paprika and saute for about 1 minute.
- Add the canned tomatoes, salt, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer, and cook until thickened, about 20 minutes. Add in the cream and simmer until thickened
- Garnish with minced fresh cilantro
*Cucumber Raita
Ingredients:
- 2 Japanese cucumbers – peeled, seeded and cubed
- 2 cups Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 1/2 teaspoon castor sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Method:
Stir together the cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, mint, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
Complete your lunchbox with:
- Portable cheese cake – layer graham crackers, ricotta cheese mixed with a little sugar, jam or lemon/passionfruit curd
- Tropical fruit salsa – chop mango, papaya, pineapple, add in lime zest, lime juice and a little sugar and mix
- Mandarin orange
- Mini bell peppers stuffed with cream cheese and diced turkey cold cut –mix cream cheese with diced cold cut turkey. Cut mini bell pepper into two, clean out the insides and stuff with cream cheese mixture
2. MISSION CORONATION PITA SANDWICH
Ingredients:
- 3 boiled eggs
- 100gm boiled or fried chicken slices
- 1 tbsp Mayonnaise mixed with ¼ tsp curry powder
- ¼ Holland onions- chopped
- 30gm Golden raisins
- 1 tbsp Chives – finely chopped
Method:
- Chop or smash boiled eggs in a bowl
- Mix in the chicken slices, mayonnaise, chopped onions raisins and chives
- Stuff inside the pita bread.
Complete your lunchbox with:
- Flavoured greek yoghurt
- Honey roasted nuts
- Assortment of berries
- Chocolate pieces as a treat
