Sarah Butler: How to make loaded nachos or cod goujons for a casual family dinner

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

If you're after tasty, reliable, family-friendly meals that everyone will love, these two recipes are a brilliant place to start. Striking the perfect balance between comfort and convenience, they're ideal for busy evenings or weekend treats.
The cod goujons are a homemade take on the classic fish finger, crisp on the outside and flaky in the centre. Using just a few simple ingredients and either baking or frying, you'll have golden, delicious goujons ready in no time. And paired with a zesty lemon mayo dip, they're perfect with chips or mash and some peas on the side. It's a meal that feels both nostalgic and fresh — something even picky eaters will enjoy.
Meanwhile, the loaded nachos bring a fun, casual vibe to the table. Layered with spicy minced beef, cheddar, and jalapeños, then topped with a creamy, tangy sauce, this dish is full of bold, satisfying flavours. Whether served in a big bowl for sharing or plated up for individual portions, it's a winner for parties or simply a Friday night in.
Both recipes are easy to make and incredibly versatile — mix up the toppings, swap ingredients, or scale for a crowd. With minimal fuss and maximum flavour, they're sure to become firm family favourites.
Loaded nachos
Bring the fun and flavour of your favorite Mexican-inspired feast to your table with these fully-loaded nachos.
Perfect for sharing (or not!), this crowd-pleasing dish layers crispy tortilla chips with a rich, savoury mince mixture spiced with chili, oregano, and garlic, before being topped with melted red cheddar and a kick of jalapeños.
Whether you're hosting a game night, looking for a casual family dinner, or just craving some comfort food, these nachos deliver big on taste and texture.
The homemade sauce — creamy, tangy, and just a little bit sharp — elevates every bite and can be served drizzled over the top or on the side for dipping.
Quick to prep and easy to customise, this recipe turns simple ingredients into something seriously satisfying.
Serve hot from the grill and watch them disappear — just make sure you get in there before they're all gone.
Loaded nachos
recipe by:Sarah Butler
Quick to prep and easy to customise, this recipe turns simple ingredients into something seriously satisfying.
Servings
4
Preparation Time 
15 mins
Cooking Time 
20 mins
Total Time 
35 mins
Course 
Main
Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil
25g butter
450g fresh mince
1 Oxo cube
1 small onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp tomato purée
300ml water
Salt and freshly-ground pepper
500g tortilla chips
100g red cheddar, grated
Handful of sliced jalapeño peppers
For the sauce
10 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp fresh cream
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Method
Place the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium to high heat.
Add the mince and cook until browned. Crush in the Oxo cube and mix thoroughly with the mince, then set aside.
To the same frying pan on a medium heat, add the butter and saute the onion and pepper until tender for 3-4 minutes.
Return the mince to the frying pan. Add the garlic, chilli powder, dried oregano, and tomato puree and cook for one minute. Then add the water, season with salt and pepper, and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Place the tortilla chips on a baking tray in a single layer with no overlapping. Toast them under a hot grill for one minute on each side until lightly browned and crisp.
Remove from the grill and sprinkle the fried mince mixture over the toasted tortilla chips.
Top with the cheese and scatter evenly with the sliced jalapeños.
Place back under the grill for another minute until the cheese is completely melted.
Mix the sauce ingredients and either drizzle over the nachos or serve as a side dip.
Sarah's secret
Great for gatherings, make these in a large serving bowl and let everyone help themselves.
You'll find sliced jalapeño peppers in jars in supermarkets, usually in the pickled veg aisle but sometimes in the ethnic food section.
Cod goujons with lemon mayo dip
Crispy, golden, and packed with flavour, these homemade cod goujons with a zesty lemon mayo dip are a delicious twist on a family favourite. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend treat, this recipe is simple to prepare and sure to please kids and adults alike.
Using just a few pantry staples—flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs—you can transform fresh cod into crunchy goujons that are tender on the inside and satisfyingly crisp on the outside. You can choose to bake them for a lighter option or shallow fry for that classic crunch.
Paired with a creamy lemon mayo dip, these goujons make for a perfectly balanced bite. Serve alongside mashed potatoes or crispy chips and a portion of peas for a comforting, wholesome meal.
Whether you're feeding a crowd or just craving homemade fish fingers, this recipe hits the spot every time.
Cod goujons with lemon mayo dip
recipe by:Sarah Butler
Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend treat, this recipe is simple to prepare and sure to please kids and adults alike.
Servings
4
Preparation Time 
15 mins
Cooking Time 
15 mins
Total Time 
30 mins
Course 
Main
Ingredients 600g cod fillets
100g plain or self-raising flour
2 eggs, beaten
150g breadcrumbs
If shallow frying, 200ml sunflower oil
If oven baking, cooking oil spray
For the lemon dip
Juice of ½ lemon
2 tbsp milk
200g mayonnaise
Freshly chopped parsley
Method
Using a sharp knife, slice the cod into fingers, carefully feeling for and removing any bones.
Place the flour, seasoned with a little salt and pepper, into one bowl.
Place the beaten eggs into another bowl. Place the breadcrumbs into a third bowl.
Dip each fish piece first into the flour, coating all over, and then dip into the egg wash, coating well.
Finally coat with breadcrumbs. Repeat with all fish pieces.
To oven bake: Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.
Spray the fish pieces with a little cooking oil spray.
Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden all over.
To ensure the fish is fully cooked, break open a fish finger. The fish meat will be soft and flake away easily when fully cooked.
To shallow fry: A less healthy option, but these are really delicious as a treat once every so often!
To shallow fry the goujons, place the oil in a deep frying pan over a medium to high heat.
To test if the oil is ready, drop a breadcrumb in and when it sizzles and rises to the top, the heat is perfect.
Using tongs, carefully lower the breaded fish pieces in to the hot oil.
Allow to golden in colour before turning to brown all over. Keep a close eye, as they can burn quickly!
It should only take four to five minutes to brown all over.
To ensure the fish is fully cooked, break open a fish finger. The fish meat will be soft and flake away easily when fully cooked.
Move to a raised wire rack once cooked.
For the dip, simply combine all the ingredients.
Serve with mash or chips and peas and the lemon dip.
Sarah's secret
For an elevated flavour, try adding finely grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs.
You'll end up with a delicious golden cheesy crust.