Meals with Max

Cacio e Pepe 🍝 Ingredients: 100g spaghetti 60g pecorino Romano 2 tsp black peppercorns Salt ——— Method: 1. Bring a large pan of water to a boil, add salt, and then the spaghetti. Boil for 8 minutes, until just under al dente. 2. Whilst the pasta cooks, finely grate the pecorino into a bowl, add a splash of pasta water, and whisk to make a thick creamy sauce. 3. Grind your black pepper, then toast in a dry frying pan over low heat for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. 4. Add 1 ladle of pasta water into the pan with the black pepper. Simmer for 1-2 minutes. 5. When the pasta is ready, transfer it to the pan with the black pepper. Simmer and stir continuously until it turns glossy, starchy and the pasta is cooked. 6. Turn the heat off, add the pecorino cream mixture, and stir until you have creamy, cheesy, peppery pasta. 7. Serve topped with a little more cracked black pepper and grated pecorino, then enjoy. Lovely! #cacioepepe #italianfood #DinnerIdeas #familymeals

Nando’s Chicken and Spicy Rice 🐓 Ingredients (2 servings): 4 boneless chicken thighs 4 tbsp peri-peri sauce 1 tbsp olive oil Salt Black pepper Fresh coriander For the rice: 150g long grain rice 225ml chicken stock 1/2 onion 2 garlic cloves 1/2 red pepper 1/2 green pepper 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 small red chilli ——— Method: 1. Dice the peppers and the onion, slice the chilli and grate the garlic. 2. In a bowl, coat the chicken thighs in peri-peri sauce. 3. Heat up your frying pan with some oil and then cook the chicken thighs until golden brown. 4. Remove the chicken thighs, then add the onion and cook for a few minutes. Then add the chilli and peppers and cook for a few more minutes. 5. Add all of the seasonings, grate garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 30 seconds, then add the rice and chicken stock. Mix well, then place the chicken thighs on top. 6. Cover the pan and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, leave the pan covered and allow to steam for 5 minutes before serving. Serve drizzled with peri-peri sauce and garnished with fresh coriander. Lovely! #nandos #periperi #onepanmeal #familydinner

Spaghetti Carbonara 🍝 Ingredients (2 servings): 180g uncooked spaghetti 150g pancetta or guanciale 2 whole eggs 2 egg yolks 60g pecorino Whole black peppercorns ——— Method: 1. Toast the black peppercorns in a dry frying pan for 30 seconds. Then grind until coarse. 2. Fill a saucepan with boiling water. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. 3. Add the diced pancetta or guanciale into your frying pan and cook until it’s crispy. Then remove from the pan. 4. Crack the whole eggs into a bowl, along with the egg yolks. Grate in the pecorino cheese, add some black pepper, and mix until combined. 5. Turn off the heat, then add the cooked spaghetti to the pan with a splash of the pasta water. Pour in the egg mixture and slowly cook in the residual heat. 6. Serve topped with the crispy pancetta and freshly grated pecorino, then enjoy. Lovely! #carbonara #italianfood #familymeals #DinnerIdeas

Italian Ciabatta Sandwich 🥖 Ingredients: Ciabatta Olive oil Pesto Tomato Salt Black pepper Salami Prosciutto Mozzarella Rocket Balsamic glaze Basil ——— Method: 1. Slice your ciabatta in half, drizzle some olive oil on the bottom half and spread over some pesto. 2. Slice the tomato and place it on the bottom half of the sandwich. Season with salt and black pepper. 3. Tear over the mozzarella, then layer on the prosciutto and salami. Then add the rocket, drizzle with balsamic glaze and finish with some fresh basil. Close the sandwich and enjoy, lovely! #ciabatta #mozzarella #lunchideas #ukheatwave

Chicken Tikka Masala 🥘 Ingredients (serves 2): 450g chicken breast 3 tbsp plain yogurt 1 tbsp lemon juice 2 garlic cloves 1 tbsp ginger 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp garam masala 1/2 tsp chilli powder 1/2 tsp turmeric 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper Ingredients (Sauce): 1 onion 2 garlic cloves 1 tbsp ginger 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp paprika 2 tsp garam masala 1/2 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp chili powder 1 bay leaf 1 tbsp tomato puree 450g tomato pasata 100ml double cream 1 tbsp honey 1 tsp butter Salt Black pepper Fresh coriander Oil ——— Method: 1. Mix yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices in a bowl. Add chicken chunks, coat well, and marinate for at least 1 hour. 2. Cook the chicken in a hot pan with some oil until the chicken has colour on all sides. 3. Cook the onions in the pan the chicken cooked in until soft and golden brown. 4. Add the spice mix, tomato paste and bay leaf, then cook for 30 seconds. 5. Stir in the tomato passata. Simmer for 5-10 mins, then blend the sauce until smooth. 6. Return to the pan. Add cream, honey, butter, garam masala and salt. Then add the cooked chicken to the sauce and simmer for 5 more mins. 7. Garnish with fresh coriander and cream. Serve with naan and rice. #tikkamasala #curry #familymeals #DinnerIdeas

Chorizo Mac and Cheese 🧀 Ingredients: 280g macaroni 150g spicy chorizo 30g butter 30g plain flour 500ml milk 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp garlic powder 100g mature cheddar 50g mozzarella 25g parmesan 1 tsp Dijon mustard Salt Black pepper to taste Fresh chives ——— Method: 1. Chop the chorizo into chunks and fry the chorizo in a dry pan over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until crispy and the oils release. Set aside, keep the oil in the pan. 2. In the same pan, melt butter, then stir in the flour to make a roux. Cook for 1–2 mins. 3. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Let it simmer for 4–5 mins, stirring, until thickened. 4. Boil the pasta in salted water until just under al dente. Drain and set aside. 5. Add the paprika, garlic powder, mustard, and cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper. 6. Add the cooked pasta, stir well to coat. 7. Top with more cheese and the chorizo, then place under the grill until golden and bubbling. Garnish with chopped fresh chives and enjoy. Lovely! #chorizo #macandcheese #EasyRecipe #DinnerIdeas

Watermelon Strawberry Lemonade 🍓 Ingredients: 1/2 watermelon 300g strawberries 3 lemons 3 tbsp sugar 500ml water Mint leaves Ice ——— Method: 1. Remove the skin from the watermelon and cut it into cubes. Then remove the stems from the strawberries and cut them in half. Place into a bowl with the sugar and leave for 10-15 minutes to draw out the juices. 2. Remove the skins from your lemons, then place into a blender with the macerated fruit, water and some ice. Blend for 30 seconds. 3. Pour it through a sieve to remove any bits. Add some mint leaves and lemon slices into your glass, along with some ice. Pour in your lemonade and enjoy. Lovely! #lemonade #strawberrylemonade #summerdrinks #ukheatwave

Pineapple Mango Lemonade 🍍 Ingredients: 2 mango 1/2 pineapple 3 lemons 2 tbsp honey 150ml water Sparkling water Fresh mint Ice ——— Method: 1. Chop the mango and pineapple into chunks, then remove the skin from the lemons. Place all the fruit into a blender with honey, 150ml water and some ice. Blend for 30 seconds. 2. Strain through a fine sieve for a smoother texture. 3. Add some mint leaves and ice into your glass. Fill 3/4 of the way with the fruit mixture and then fill the remaining 1/4 with sparkling water. 4. Mix well and then enjoy. Lovely! #pineapple #lemonade #summerdrinks #ukheatwave

Hidden Veg Sausage Rigatoni 🍝 Ingredients (serves 2): 4 sausages 1/2 large red onion 1 red pepper 1 carrot 1 stick of celery 4 garlic cloves 400g tinned tomatoes 150g rigatoni (or any pasta) 50g parmesan 1 tsp smoked paprika Salt Black pepper Olive oil ——— Method: 1. First dice the carrot, onion, celery and pepper. 2. Heat up some oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Remove the sausage skin and add the sausage to the pan. Break it up and cook until crispy. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside. 3. Add the carrot, onion, celery and pepper to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, then add grated garlic, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper then cook for 1 minute. 4. Add the tinned tomatoes, then simmer for 5-10 minutes. Blend the sauce until totally smooth, then add it back to the pan with the sausage. 5. Boil the pasta until cooked, drain and add to the pan with the sausage and sauce. Mix until fully coated. Top with grated parmesan and enjoy. Lovely! #sausage #pasta #DinnerIdeas #EasyRecipe

Watermelon Mango Lemonade 🍉 Ingredients: 1/2 watermelon 2 mangos 3 lemons 2 tbsp sugar Ice 250ml water Fresh mint Sparkling water Method: 1. Remove the skin from the watermelon and the mango, then chop them into chunks. Place them in a bowl and add the sugar. Mix and let them sit and macerate for 10 minutes. 2. Remove the skin from the lemon and place all the fruit into your blender. Add some ice and 250ml water. Then blend for 30 seconds. 3. Pour the mixture through a sieve to remove any bits. Then add some ice, mint leaves and lemon slices into your glass. Fill the glass 2/3 of the way with the lemonade and top with some sparkling water. Serve and enjoy, lovely! #watermelon #lemonade #summerdrinks #ukheatwave

Cucumber and Mint Limeade 🥒 Ingredients: 1 cucumber 3 limes 2 tbsp honey 500ml water Ice Mint leaves —— Method: 1. Cut the cucumber into chunks and remove the skin from the limes. 2. Place the cucumber and limes into a blender with the water, honey and some ice. Blend for 30 seconds. 3. Strain to remove any bits to ensure it’s smooth, then pour into a glass with some slices of lime, mint leaves and ice. Serve and enjoy, lovely! #cucumber #limeade #summerdrinks #ukheatwave

Rigatoni all’Amatriciana 🍝 Ingredients (serves 2): 200g guanciale or pancetta 160g rigatoni 400g tinned whole tomatoes 80g pecorino Black pepper ——— Method: 1. Boil the rigatoni in salted water for 10 minutes, until al dente. If you’re using fresh pasta, it will cook in just 2-3 minutes. 2. Whilst the rigatoni cooks, add the diced guanciale or pancetta into a cold dry frying pan, then place over a medium low heat and cook until the fat renders out and it becomes crispy. 3. Remove from the pan and set aside. Then crush the whole tomatoes and pour them into the frying pan. Simmer in the rendered fat for a few minutes. 4. Add the cooked pasta and mix until combined. 5. Add grated pecorino, a splash of pasta water and some black pepper. Stir this through and then you’re ready to serve. 6. Transfer to your plate or bowl, top with a little more black pepper and grated pecorino, then enjoy. Lovely! #amatriciana #italianfood #familymeals #DinnerIdeas

Chicken Satay 🥘 Ingredients (serves 2): 400g chicken breasts 2 tbsp peanut butter 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp honey 1 tbsp red curry paste 2 garlic cloves 1 tsp curry powder Juice of 1 lime Pinch of salt 150ml coconut milk Olive oil Fresh coriander ——— Method: 1. In a bowl, add the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, red curry paste, grated garlic, curry powder, lime and a pinch of salt. Mix it using a whisk until fully combined and you have smooth thick sauce. 2. Chop the chicken into chunks and place into a bowl, add 1/4 of the sauce, coat the chicken and leave to marinate for at least an hour for the most flavour (or you can use it straight away). 3. Get the chicken chunks onto a skewer, heat the oil in a pan and cook the chicken until slightly charred and cooked through (about 8 minutes). Remove from the heat and leave to rest. 4. In a separate pan add the remaining sauce, with the coconut milk, and mix until combined. Simmer on a low heat for 2 minutes. 5. Serve the chicken satay over a bed of rice, drizzle over the sauce, garnish with some fresh coriander and enjoy. Lovely! #satay #peanutbutter #EasyRecipe #healthyrecipes

Chipotle Chicken Bowl 🐓 Ingredients (serves 5): 750g chicken breast 2 tsp smoked paprika 2 tsp cumin 2 tsp coriander powder 2 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp onion powder 1 tbsp chipotle paste Lime juice Salt Black pepper Potatoes: 1kg Maris piper potatoes 3 tsp smoked paprika 2 tsp cumin 2 tsp coriander powder 2 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp onion powder Salt Black pepper Salsa: 5 tomatoes 2 red onion Fresh coriander Lime juice Pinch of salt Sauce: 5 tbsp mayo 2 tsp chipotle paste 1 tbsp honey 2 garlic cloves Squeeze of lime Pinch of salt ——— Method: 1. Chop the potatoes into cubes, coat in the seasoning and a little olive oil, then spread them out on an oven tray or in the airfryer basket. Cook at 180 degrees celcius for 30 minutes. Turn them halfway through. 2. Dice the tomato and red onion. Add to a bowl with a pinch of salt, chopped fresh coriander and a squeeze of lime juice. Mix and set aside. 3. Chop the chicken into chunks, place it a bowl and add the seasoning and chipotle paste. Mix until the chicken is coated. 4. Cook the chicken in a large frying over a medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until cooked through. 5. Mix all of the sauce ingredients together. Then once everything is cooked, place up the chicken, potatoes and salsa. Drizzle over the sauce, garnish with fresh coriander and enjoy. Lovely! #chipotle #chipotlebowl #EasyRecipes #healthyrecipes

Mango Lassi 🥭 Ingredients: 3 mangos 200g yogurt 150ml milk 2 tbsp honey Juice of 1/2 lime Fresh mint Ice ——— Method: 1. Chop the mango into chunks and place into your blender with the yogurt, milk, honey, lime juice and ice. 2. Blend until smooth, about 30-45 seconds. 3. Add some ice into your glass with fresh mint, pour in the mango lassi, stir and enjoy. Lovely! #mango #lassi #summerdrinks #ukheatwave

Brazilian Lemonade 🍋 Ingredients: 4 limes 600ml water 80g sugar Ice ——— 1. Slice the limes into quarters and place into your blender jug. Add the water, sugar and some ice. 2. Blend for 5-10 seconds, then pour through a strainer to remove any bits. 3. Add some lemon or limes slices into your glass, fill will ice, then pour in your Brazilian Lemonade and enjoy. Lovely! #lemonade #brazilianlemonade #summerdrinks #ukheatwave

Chicken Katsu Curry 🍛 Ingredients (serves 2): 2 chicken breasts 2 tbsp plain flour 1 egg Panko breadcrumbs Vegetable oil Salt Black pepper Sauce ingredients: 1 onion 1 carrot 2 garlic cloves 1 tbsp ginger 1 tsp curry powder 1/2 tsp garam masala 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp honey 300ml chicken stock 1 tbsp oil 1 tsp plain flour To serve: Rice Salad leaves Pickled red onion ——— Method: 1. First dice the carrot and the onion, then finely grate the garlic and ginger. 2. Heat the oil in a saucepan over a medium heat, then add the carrot, onion, garlic and ginger. Cook for 5 minutes. 3. Add the curry powder, garam masala and flour. Cook for 1 minute. 4. Pour in the stock, add the honey and soy sauce, then simmer on a low heat for 10 minutes. Then blend until smooth. 5. Slice your chicken breast in half, season with salt and pepper, then coat in flour. 6. Place the breadcrumbs in one bowl, and beaten egg in another. Coat the chicken in the egg, then in the breadcrumbs. 7. Heat your oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Then fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy. 8. Serve the crispy chicken with rice, the sauce, salad leaves and pickled red onion. Then enjoy, lovely! #wagamama #chickenkatsu #familymeals #DinnerIdeas

Sweet Chilli Halloumi Burger 🍔 Ingredients: 100g halloumi 1/2 red bell pepper 1 burger bun 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 1 tbsp mayo Lettuce Spray oil ——— Method: 1. Slice the red pepper into a large flat piece and chop the block of halloumi in half. 2. Place the halloumi slice and pepper in the air fryer basket, season with a little salt and black pepper, then spray with oil. Cook at 200°C for 10 minutes. 3. Toast the burger buns and then build your burger. Bottom bun, mayo, lettuce, red pepper, halloumi, sweet chilli sauce and then top bun. Serve hot and enjoy, lovely! #halloumi #burger #EasyRecipe #lunchideas

Tuna Pasta Salad 🐟 Ingredients (2 servings): 150g uncooked pasta 2 tins tuna 2 tbsp mayo Juice 1/2 lemon 1/2 red pepper 1/2 red onion 1 avocado Cucumber 1 egg Small handful fresh parsley Salt Black pepper Method: 1. First heat some water in a saucepan until its boiling, then add the egg. Boil for 4-5 minutes. 2. Then add the pasta to the same pan and boil for 10 minutes. 3. Whilst the pasta and the egg cooks, dice the pepper, red onion and cucumber. 4. Remove the egg from the pan and place into a bowl of cold water to cool down. Drain the pasta and run under a cold tap to cool down and then set aside. 5. Get the avocado into a large bowl and squeeze in the lemon juice, then mash with a fork. Add the mayo, salt, black pepper and mix well. 6. Add the tuna to the bowl, along with the cooked pasta, pepper, onion, cucumber and chopped fresh parsley. Mix until combined. 7. Remove the shell from the egg, roughly chop, add to the bowl with the pasta and stir it through. Serve in a bowl with more fresh parsley to garnish and enjoy. Lovely! #tuna #pastasalad #EasyRecipes #healthyrecipes

Burrata Mortadella Ciabatta 🥖 Ingredients: Ciabatta Olive oil Pesto Mortadella Burrata Roasted red peppers Fresh tomato Salt Black pepper Rocket Balsamic glaze Fresh Basil ——— Method: 1. Slice the ciabatta in half and open it up. Then drizzle over some olive olive and spread pesto on one side. 2. Add the mortadella and spread the burrata evenly. Layer slices of roasted red peppers and tomato, then season with salt and black pepper. 3. Finish it off with some rocket, a drizzle of balsamic glaze and some fresh basil leaves. Close the sandwich, cut it in half and enjoy. Lovely! #ciabatta #burrata #lunchideas #ukheatwave