John Torode's 30 minute feast for the family
One for the whole family John's Meatball & Nacho Bake is set to be a winning dinner for the first day of term. Not only will it be on the table in 30 minutes, it’s guaranteed to be the tastiest start to the week!
John Torode’s 30 minute feast for the family
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
For the meatballs: (or you can buy meatballs already made)400g beef mince400g pork mince20g fresh breadcrumbs1 tbsp milk1 egg yolk1 tbsp of equal parts dried oregano, chopped fresh parsley, ground pepper and ground pepper70ml olive oil1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper2 garlic cloves, crushed1 tsp dried chilli flakes2 tsp paprika1 tin of red kidney beans (do not drain) 2x 400g tins chopped tomatoes200m water or stock, plus some wine if you have it (optional)Handful roughly chopped parsley
For the topping:1 large bag of nacho chips2 big handfuls of grated mozzarella or any cheese
To serve:JalapeñosTomato salsa (recipe below)Smashed avocado (recipe below)Tzatziki (shop bought)Lettuce cupsSour cream
For the tomato salsa:1 small bunch of coriander1 chilli, finely diced4 small tomatoes finely diced1 small red onion, finely dicedJuice of 1 limeSalt and pepper, to taste
For the smashed avocado:2 large ripe avocados½ a lemon, juiced1 tsp Worcestershire sauce6 drops of TabascoSalt and pepper, to taste
Method
For the Chilli Meatball Nacho Bake:
1. To make the meatballs, mix together the beef mince, pork mince, breadcrumbs, milk, egg yolk, dried oregano, chopped parsley and ground pepper in a large bowl and make sure they are well mixed.
2. Using a teaspoon, scoop out spoonfuls of the mix and place on a board. When all the mix has been divided up, roll into balls. You should be able to make around 40 small meatballs.
3. Preheat the oven to 180℃
4. Heat a large, deep casserole or frying pan on the hob, add the oil and place the meatballs evenly on the bottom and leave them to brown. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and continue to turn the meatballs to brown further.
5. Once the meatballs are half cooked, add the garlic, chilli and the paprika and cook for another minute or so. Then add the water or stock and the optional wine as well as the kidney beans. Bubble and bring to the boil.
6. Once bubbling, add the tomatoes and take one empty tomato tin and fill it with water and add to the pan.
7. Bring it to the boil again and simmer for another 5 minutes.
8. If you have not used a casserole pan for frying, transfer the mixture to an ovenproof dish.
9. Mix together the nacho chips and grated cheese and then sprinkle onto the meatball mix to cover. Place into the oven to bake for 10-15 minutes.
10. Once cooked, remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve with jalapeños tomato salsa, smashed avocado, shop bought tzatziki, lettuce cups and sour cream.
For the tomato salsa:
1. Mix together all of the ingredients to form the salsa. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
For the smashed avocado:
1. Cut the avocados in half lengthwise, and all the way around the seed, using a large spoon, scoop out the flesh and keep one seed.
2. Using a fork, mash the flesh very well and then add the remaining ingredients. Mix well and season to taste.