15 hours ago
I'm top Irish chef – here's my major tips to help families reduce food waste and cook delicious meals on budget
The top chef has a list of time-saving tips for families on the go
CHEF'S SECRETS I'm top Irish chef – here's my major tips to help families reduce food waste and cook delicious meals on budget
RENOWNED Irish chef Adrian Martin has spent years helping people navigate the challenges of everyday cooking.
And ahead of his role as the Barnardos Dalkey Lobster Festival ambassador this weekend, he's shared his top tips to families looking to cook delicious meals while on a budget at home.
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Top Irish chef Adrian Martin has helped families cook delicious meals for years on the Six O'Clock show
Credit: Social Media Collect
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And he has now shared all of his top tips for those cooking on a budget
Credit: Social Media Collect
When it comes to cooking seafood, the top chef recommends buying fish fresh on the day of preparation and keeping marinades brief, around 10 to 15 minutes.
Citrus and spices help reduce strong fish odours, making seafood more approachable for beginners in the kitchen.
It is also good to start with mild fish such as monkfish, as it allows home cooks to build confidence before tackling stronger-flavoured varieties.
Adrian, who is a regular on Virgin Media's Six O'Clock Show, also recommends that beginners hold off on cooking smoked fish until they gain a bit of experience in the kitchen.
He said: 'I think a lot of people tend to stay away from fish because they don't like the smell but if more people buy it fresh, the less smell there would be - so I always say if you're cooking fish buy it on the day.
'Unlike when you marinate beef or you marinate chicken and you normally leave an overnight, with fish you can marinate it within 10 to 15 minutes because it will take that flavour really quickly.
'With salmon I would season it with sea salt firstly on the flesh side and then on occasion I would put some spice onto it and then zest it with a juice of lemon or lime.
'It makes such a difference. You get a nice citrus flavour, a nice flavour from Cajun spice and it kind of gets rid of that smell.'
For households mindful of costs, introducing one vegetarian meal per week can significantly reduce expenses without sacrificing nutrition.
Adrian also recommends choosing budget-friendly meat cuts like mince beef, chicken wings or drumsticks, which are often much cheaper than meals including steak and lamb.
I'll never step foot in a supermarket to do my food shop again
This simple hack allows families on a budget to get in their protein without breaking the bank.
What's more, the top chef added that price comparisons across different shops are an easy way to save money and ensure that meals remain varied.
He said: 'Meat has gone up in price so much and has nearly made it inaccessible for families, so I think if you can get cheaper cuts to cut costs, you should.
'Mince is probably the most versatile thing you can buy because you can make lasagne, you can make shepherd's pie, cottage pie, Bolognese, burgers, meatballs – a variety of different meals.
'A vegetarian meal once a week is also a major way of cutting costs and there's so many different dishes you can make.'
There are also some common cooking mistakes Adrian says to avoid.
These include not reducing liquid when cooking minced beef and under-seasoning onions and garlic, which can both have a massive effect on the taste of meals.
The chef also recommends cooking meat until it develops a rich brown colour rather than leaving it pale.
Reducing food waste is another top priority that Adrian says home cooks should have.
A major way of achieving this is by planning a weekly menu for your family and doing a single shop based on planned meals whenever possible.
Leftover vegetables can also be made into curries or sauces, while ingredients like ginger can be frozen for later use.
He said: 'Write a menu at the beginning of the week because if you do this, you'll know exactly what you're cooking which will help you cut back on a lot of food waste.
'Don't be afraid to freeze food as well. I think the biggest waste of food is small things like ginger and it tends to be forgotten about instead of thrown back into the fridge.
'Try and use up everything you have with smart dishes at the end of the week and if you have the time, shop every two days for food.'
For families on the go, the top chef has a list of time-saving tips.
Batch cooking and freezing meals in advance ensures there are always healthy options available, reducing last-minute stress.
Other time-saving strategies include using an air fryer, preparing fresh pasta and keeping pre-made dishes in the freezer.
Lastly, Adrian revealed that planning meals for the week allows families to manage both time and resources efficiently, while keeping dishes varied and nutritious.
He said: 'I do think an air fryer in particular is an amazing thing for saving time, it cooks food so quick.
'Having lots of pasta dishes also tends to help you can just throw it together which is a major way of saving time for families.
'Batch cooking also tends to work, so I tend to load up the freezer with lots of things I can prepare during the week.
'People are so busy nowadays, but I think if you follow any of these tips, it will make a difference.'
The Dalkey Lobster Festival takes place on the weekend of August 23 and 24 in the coastal town of Dalkey, south Dublin.
It features food stalls, local produce, live music and family-friendly entertainment, with activities for children including face painting, magic shows and character performances.
The top chef is set to visit the festival stalls, meet local food producers and show off the quality and creativity behind the dishes on offer.
He added: 'I love food festivals, and I think when you have something like lobster involved, things just can't go wrong.
'There's going to be music, there will be loads of vendors, lots of street food, arts and producers as well.
'For kids there will also be lots of entertainment such as magic shows, face painting and character performances.
'I got involved with the Barnardos charity 13 months ago as an ambassador for the Dalkey Festival and I've never been so conscious about children until I had my own son, so the event is incredibly important.'
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The Dalkey Lobster Festival returns for its 11th year this weekend
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