This Mediterranean chicken bento box makes for a balanced meal that will keep you going if you are having a crazy day and need to work through lunch.

SERVES 4 // COOKING TIME 25 min

INGREDIENTS
For the chicken
½ cup plain yoghurt
2 tbsp olive oil
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp dried origanum
4 skinless chicken breasts
For the yoghurt dressing
½ cup plain yoghurt
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
To assemble
½ red onion, thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, chopped
½ cucumber, thinly sliced
3 wheels feta, chopped
4 pitas, toasted

METHOD
For the chicken
1. Combine the ingredients, except the chicken, and mix.
2. Toss in the chicken, making sure it is fully coated. Marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
3. Heat a pan over high heat, until smoking hot.
4. Scrape any excess marinade off the chicken and fry for 10 minutes, turning halfway, until cooked through. Set aside to cool and then slice.
For the yoghurt dressing
1. Combine all the ingredients, season to taste and set aside.
To assemble
1. Toss the onion, tomatoes, cucumber and feta together.
2. Fill the pitas with chicken and salad, then drizzle with yoghurt dressing.
3. Arrange in your bento box and enjoy!

Recipe: Jezza-Rae Larsen
Styling: Elizabeth Mackenzie
Photography: Sean Dollery // HMimages.co.za

Loving the Mediterranean flavour? Have a go at our chicken involtini with spinach for even more!

The post Mediterranean chicken bento box with yoghurt dressing appeared first on MyKitchen.

Braai season is here, which means that it’s time to dust off your trusty cooler bag for outdoor adventures! But before you get too excited and throw everything in your cooler, make sure you’ve followed these steps to get all your cooler bag essentials prepped and ready for the summer season!

By Taryn Wilson

THE PREP WORK

1. Get the right cooler for you. If you love to carry around a lot of drinks, food and tools, you ’ll want to invest in a sturdy and solid cooler box as opposed to a soft material bag.
2. Make sure that you clean your cooler box/bag thoroughly and that it is dry and ready to use the day before you intend to pack it. If it doesn’t dry properly, it will start to smell musty.
3. Keep your cooler cold for longer by ‘pre-chilling’ it with ice bags inside.

THE FOOD

1. Head out before the time to buy all the foods you want to take with, and package them yourself to fit in the cooler box.
2. If you’re going to a braai, you know what meat you’ll want to include. Don’t forget to include some drinks, a salad or side dish, and some snacks.
3. Always pack plenty of water.
4. Don’t overstock on food (unless you love braai leftovers the next day)
5. Keep certain tools ready-packed in your cooler. You’ll always want to have a knife, spoon, dishcloth and some braai tongs on hand.

PACK IT UP

1. If you choose to bring ice, this will help to keep your cooler box cold, and you’ll be able to use the ice for your drinks throughout the day. However, reusable frozen blocks and packs are much more convenient and cause less mess than ice blocks. If you don’t have, frozen dish sponges make the most amazing and convenient ice blocks!
2. Once you have everything together, pack some ice/ice packs in the bottom. Then start adding the food, with softer ingredients on top. Pack more ice on top and down the sides.
3. Keep your cooler box tightly closed when you aren’t getting something out or putting something back in.
4. Leave packing the cooler box until right before you leave – this will allow your items to stay colder for longer, especially for long drives.

Image: freshoffthegrid.com

The post Pack the perfect cooler bag for your summer outings appeared first on MyKitchen.