DEDICATION FROM AMAR’E: For my wife and children, I hope this book can be a light to all young fathers to become better cooks for their families. FROM MAX: With love and gratitude I dedicate this book to: My mother, Lavern Arnett, for loving me, teaching me good values, and instilling religion in my life that has gotten me this far. My father, Maxcel Hardy, Jr., for showing me what it means to be a family man, father, and friend. My daughter, Tenara Demi Hardy, for keeping Daddy grounded and giving me a reason to work hard every day. Cheryl Hardy, thanks for helping to raise me and for being an amazing support system. Chef Richard Roberts (Uncle Rich) . . . for guiding me through this culinary journey, and helping me transition to become a man and a strong father. Ellen Sadove Renck, for believing in me and loving me unconditionally, and helping to bring Chef Max Miami to life. Chef Edward Burjaski for introducing me to Culinary Arts and helping me figure out that cooking is my true passion. Thanks for preparing me for Johnson & Wales. CONTENTS DEDICATION FROM THE AUTHORS INTRODUCTION THE ESSENTIALS VEGETABLE STOCK CHICKEN STOCK MARINARA SAUCE CREAM SAUCE HERB BUTTER BARBECUE SAUCE CAESAR DRESSING SIMPLE VINAIGRETTE TROPICAL FRUIT RELISH FRESH TOMATO SALSA ROASTED CORN RELISH CHEF MAX’S SPICE BLEND WARM-UP CALIFORNIA FRITTATA BREAKFAST BURRITOS MIXED BERRY PARFAIT TROPICAL SMOOTHIES STAT JUICE STEAK AND EGGS CHEESE GRITS HOMEMADE WHEAT BUTTERMILK BISCUITS CHEESE AND CHIVE BISCUITS WITH GARLIC AND HONEY TOPPING SWEET POTATO WAFFLES BREAK FOR LUNCH CURRIED CHICKEN AND RICE SOUP TOMATO BISQUE ROASTED VEGETABLE AND GOAT CHEESE FLATBREADS THE ULTIMATE BURGER GRILLED VEGETABLE WRAPS TUNA WRAPS WITH MANDARIN ORANGES AND SWEET CHILI SAUCE BRIE AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES ROASTED TURKEY AND CUCUMBER SANDWICHES MINI FISH TACOS WITH CILANTRO CRÈME FRAÎCHE SALMON CAKES WITH GARLIC AIOLI SALAD TRIO CALIFORNIA COBB SALAD TEAM DINNER BRAISED BARBECUED BEEF RIBS GARLIC AND HERB–INFUSED PRIME RIB BLACKENED FLANK STEAK WITH CHIMICHURRI AND GRILLED PINEAPPLE GRILLED NEW YORK STRIP STEAK WITH HORSERADISH CREAM AND SAUTÉED MUSHROOMS LOADED BEEF STEW STAT STEAK GRILLED VEAL CHOPS WITH PEACH AND APPLE CHUTNEY PEACH AND APPLE CHUTNEY ROSEMARY AND GARLIC LEG OF LAMB GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH TZATZIKI GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST WITH COUSCOUS PILAF ROASTED CHICKEN WITH GARLIC AND CILANTRO HONEY GLAZE JERK CHICKEN GRILLED CORNISH HENS WITH CITRUS AND HONEY GLAZE CARIBBEAN PAN-SEARED SNAPPER ESCOVITCH PAN-ROASTED SALMON WITH FRESH TOMATO SALSA ALMOND-CRUSTED SOLE WITH GINGER-LIME BEURRE BLANC HERB-CRUSTED SEA BASS WITH CHAMPAGNE CURRY CREAM PAN-SEARED BAY SCALLOPS WITH ARUGULA SALAD PAELLA SALMON PINWHEELS WITH GARLIC HERB CREAM CHEESE COCONUT AND CORN SALAD TOMATO AND RADISH SLAW ICEBERG WEDGE WITH BUTTERMILK BLUE CHEESE DRESSING, CANDIED TEARDROP TOMATOES, SHAVED ONIONS, CHIVES, AND EGGS CUCUMBER AND TOMATO SALAD GRILLED CABBAGE WITH BALSAMIC BUTTER STEWED OKRA ZUCCHINI AND SQUASH FRITTERS GARLIC SHOESTRING FRIES BEER-BATTERED ONION RINGS PIZZA ENTERTAINING THE HARDY ALEXANDER’S ROMANCE PEARSECCO ESPRESSO STOUT MARTINI MISS PIMM’S MUDDLE GAME DAY VEGETABLE CRUDITÉS WITH AVOCADO HUMMUS CUCUMBER CHIPS WITH ROASTED GARLIC AND TOMATO HUMMUS PASTA PRIMAVERA COCONUT BEANS AND RICE ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES THREE-BEAN SALAD COUSCOUS SALAD VEGETABLE FRIED RICE VEGETABLE STIR-FRY VEGETARIAN CHILI VEGETABLE SOUP COCONUT CURRY CARROT SOUP SWEET VICTORY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE SANDWICHES PEACH COBBLER WHITE CHOCOLATE AND BANANA BREAD PUDDING CHOCOLATE MOUSSE THREE-LAYER CARROT CAKE RUM PECAN CHOCOLATE BROWNIES VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM SWEET POTATO PIE LEMON BARS RED VELVET SWIRL CHEESECAKE TIME OUT FOR FAMILY COUNTRY FRIED STEAK COLLARD GREENS WITH BRAISED TURKEY LEGS PIGEON PEAS AND RICE BAKED SWEET POTATO “FRIES” BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN STEW CHICKEN SOUTHERN MAC-N-CHEESE CRISPY CORNMEAL-BATTERED FISH FISH AND GRITS FRIED FISH AND CREAMY POLENTA CREAMY POLENTA HOMEMADE BAGEL BITES FRIED OKRA BRAISED KALE WITH GARLICKY TURNIPS TRAIL MIX CORN MUFFINS FLUFF SANDWICHES WITH BANANAS AND NUTELLA (TURTLE