Latest news with #SarahButler
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Sarah Butler: How to make loaded nachos or cod goujons for a casual family dinner
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.
Irish Examiner
24-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Sarah Butler: How to make two family-friendly meals with sausages
Sausages are a staple in many households —hearty, comforting, and endlessly versatile. Whether baked, grilled, or pan-fried, they provide a rich, savoury base for countless family-friendly meals. In these two recipes, sausages take centre stage in delicious, practical ways perfect for busy lifestyles. The Sweet and Sticky Sausages recipe transforms everyday ingredients into a flavour-packed sandwich, pairing juicy pork sausages with a rich caramelised onion glaze and a tangy homemade sauce — all tucked into a crusty roll. It's quick to prepare, ideal for lunch, dinner, or even a weekend treat. Meanwhile, the Pork and Herb Sausage Rolls offer a convenient and crowd-pleasing option. These golden, flaky bites are easy to make in batches, freeze beautifully, and reheat quickly — perfect for school lunches, snacks, or picnics. With fresh herbs and quality meat wrapped in puff pastry, they're a step above the store-bought variety. Both recipes are practical, flavourful, and designed with real family life in mind — simple enough for everyday cooking but tasty enough to feel special. Whether you're planning on feeding a crowd, these sausage-based dishes deliver on both taste and convenience. Pork and Herb Sausage Rolls recipe by:Sarah Butler Sausage rolls are a perfect family snack — tasty, filling, and easy to make in large batches. Whether it's a picnic, lunchbox, or after-school treat, sausage rolls are practical and delicious. Servings 16 Preparation Time 15 mins Cooking Time 25 mins Total Time 40 mins Course Main Ingredients 1 sheet ready-made puff pastry, cut into three long strips 350g high pork content sausages (80% if possible) ½ tsp thyme and sage, finely chopped 1 tbsp breadcrumbs Salt & freshly ground black pepper 1 egg, beaten Method Pre-heat the oven to 200°C. Combine the sausage meat with the herbs and breadcrumbs, season with salt and pepper, and mix together with a fork in a bowl. Lay out the pastry strips. Brush egg along one side of each pastry strip. Place the sausage mixture filling into the middle of the pastry strip. Ensure the meat is tight, compact, and without gaps before rolling up, finishing with the seam side down. Brush the top with egg wash. Cut into six sausage rolls with a sharp knife. Transfer to a baking tray, evenly spaced. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes. Sarah's secret Placing the mixture in a piping bag can be a handy and quick way to add the filling to the pastry. Assemble the sausage rolls and freeze flat on a baking tray, then once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and cook from frozen for a handy snack. Sweet and Sticky Sausages recipe by:Sarah Butler These banging bangers are perfect for a satisfying lunch or casual dinner. Juicy pork sausages are simple and scrumptious. Served in crusty rolls they make an ideal choice for family meals, weekend treats, or hearty snacks for hungry teens on the go. Servings 4 Preparation Time 5 mins Cooking Time 25 mins Total Time 30 mins Course Main Ingredients 12 pork sausages 2 tbsp butter 1 large red onion, finely sliced 2 tbsp light brown sugar 50ml water 1 tsp tomato purée 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp freshly chopped thyme 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley 4 crusty rolls or baps of your choice For the sauce 8 tbsp mayonnaise 2 tbsp tomato ketchup 1 tsp hot dog mustard 1 tsp pickle juice (vinegar from a jar of pickles) Method Pan-fry the sausages in one tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat or oven bake for 20 to 25 minutes until thoroughly cooked — turning them through the cooking process. Once browned all over, set aside. Add one tablespoon of butter to a frying pan, then add the red onion and cook over medium heat for four to five minutes, until softened. Add two tablespoons of light brown sugar and 50ml of water and cook for one minute, until the sauce has reduced and becomes sticky. Slice the cooked sausages in half lengthways. Add to the onions and add one teaspoon of tomato purée and one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. Season with freshly chopped thyme and parsley. Combine all the ingredients, and once the mixture bubbles, remove it from the heat. For the sauce, combine the mayonnaisse, mustard, ketchup, and pickle juice. Butter your bread rolls, then add a layer of sauce followed by the sausages and sticky red onion sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and tuck in. Sarah's secret This sauce is equally delicious with chicken and beef burgers, if you have any leftover. So easy to whip up, make it part of your summer barbecue repertoire Read More Sarah Butler: These simple family staples are bursting with flavour
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Lottery winner's mother moved to tears over son's chance to own a home
A young Lotto winner is now gunning for a goal he never thought would be possible for him. Tristan, a 22-year-old man from Canberra, ACT, won $250,000 last Thursday, and is planning to use it to enter the housing market, an oppurtunity that brought his mother to tears. Tristan was scrolling on his phone, waiting for his UberEats order to arrive, when the phone rang. It was the Oz Lotteries host Sarah Butler calling him while on a Facebook livestream. When he realised how much he had won, Tristan said all he could hear 'was just full white noise'. 'I thought it was one of my housemates' pranks,' Tristan told Oz Lotteries. When he realised it wasn't, he ran downstairs to his housemate and put the phone on speaker. 'My housemate stood up and screamed, before giving me a hug,' he said. 'None of us know anyone who's won money like this. It doesn't feel real.' Tristan said that his first port of call is a financial advisor. 'I don't want to mess it up,' he said. 'The goal is a house deposit — that's it. If I play this right, it changes everything.' The young man's mother was in a similar state of disbelief upon learning of her son's win and became emotional after watching a replay of the livestream because of what it would mean for her son's future. 'Mum almost cried when she realised this means I will be able to buy a house,' Tristan said. 'My generation can't get into the housing market. 'She never thought her son would be able to buy a house.' Tristan was flown to Brisbane to watch the money be directly transferred into his account from the Oz Lotteries Toowong headquarters last weekend. It was the biggest ever Daily Winners cash giveaway, and Tristan said that his 'hands were so sweaty' and that he 'barely slept a wink' while processing the win on his trip up the coast. While weekly Daily Winners prizes are between $500 and $2500, there are monthly giveaways up to $100,000. Before learning of the sum that would soon be his, Tristan thought he might have won a prize worth about $30,000. If you're concerned about your gambling or the gambling of a friend or family member, log on to Gambling Help Online or make contact via phone on 1800 858 858. You can access online counselling as well as services in your state or territory and support for family and friends.
7NEWS
20-05-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Young lottery winner grows emotional over chance to enter the Aussie housing market with $250,000 cash prize
A young Lotto winner is now gunning for a goal he never thought would be possible for him. Tristan, a 22-year-old man from Canberra, ACT, won $250,000 last Thursday, and is planning to use it to enter the housing market, an oppurtunity that brought his mother to tears. Tristan was scrolling on his phone, waiting for his UberEats order to arrive, when the phone rang. It was the Oz Lotteries host Sarah Butler calling him while on a Facebook livestream. When he realised how much he had won, Tristan said all he could hear 'was just full white noise'. 'I thought it was one of my housemates' pranks,' Tristan told Oz Lotteries. When he realised it wasn't, he ran downstairs to his housemate and put the phone on speaker. 'My housemate stood up and screamed, before giving me a hug,' he said. 'None of us know anyone who's won money like this. It doesn't feel real.' 'My generation can't get into the housing market' Tristan said that his first port of call is a financial advisor. 'I don't want to mess it up,' he said. 'The goal is a house deposit — that's it. If I play this right, it changes everything.' The young man's mother was in a similar state of disbelief upon learning of her son's win and became emotional after watching a replay of the livestream because of what it would mean for her son's future. 'Mum almost cried when she realised this means I will be able to buy a house,' Tristan said. 'My generation can't get into the housing market. 'She never thought her son would be able to buy a house.' Tristan was flown to Brisbane to watch the money be directly transferred into his account from the Oz Lotteries Toowong headquarters last weekend. It was the biggest ever Daily Winners cash giveaway, and Tristan said that his 'hands were so sweaty' and that he 'barely slept a wink' while processing the win on his trip up the coast. While weekly Daily Winners prizes are between $500 and $2500, there are monthly giveaways up to $100,000. Before learning of the sum that would soon be his, Tristan thought he might have won a prize worth about $30,000.
Irish Examiner
17-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Sarah Butler: These simple family staples are bursting with flavour
This week, I have two fantastic family recipes that are ideal for the summer months. Both dishes are simple to prepare, packed with flavour, and easily adaptable for different occasions—from weeknight dinners to relaxed weekend barbecues. Sweet chilli skewers Sweet chilli chicken skewers are a summer favourite because they combine the ease of oven or grill cooking with bold, family-friendly flavour. The marinade of herbs, spices, and a touch of lemon creates tender, juicy chicken pieces that kids and adults enjoy. Glazed with sweet chilli sauce and sprinkled with coriander and sesame seeds, they bring just the right balance of sweet and savoury. Best of all, they can be prepped ahead of time and cooked quickly — ideal for families on the go. Serve them with rice, salad, or tucked into flatbreads for a quick, satisfying meal. Sweet Chilli Chicken Skewers recipe by:Sarah Butler Sweet chilli chicken skewers are easy to prepare, fun to grill, and packed with flavour that everyone loves. The gentle heat of sweet chilli sauce adds a tasty kick without being too spicy, making them ideal for all ages. Servings 4 Preparation Time 20 mins Cooking Time 30 mins Total Time 50 mins Course Main Ingredients 4 metal or wooden skewers - if using wooden ones, soak in water for 10 minutes first to avoid them burning. For the dip: 6 tbsp mayonnaise 2 tbsp barbecue sauce 1 tsp chopped coriander (optional) For the skewers: 4 chicken breasts cut into cubes 1 tbsp dried oregano 1 tbsp dried sage 1 tbsp paprika 1 tbsp mayonnaise 1 tbsp tomato purée ½ tsp onion powder ½ tsp garlic powder Juice of ½ lemon or lime 1 tbsp olive oil Salt and freshly ground pepper To glaze: 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 1 tbsp chopped coriander 1 tsp sesame seeds Method Preheat the oven to 200˚C/180˚C fan/gas mark 6. To make the dip, mix the ingredients and refrigerate until serving. Add all the chicken skewer ingredients to a bowl and combine well. Season with salt and pepper. Thread the coated chicken onto the skewers tightly. Place the kebabs on a baking tray and bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway. The chicken should be golden. Remove the chicken kebabs from the oven and brush them with the sweet chilli sauce. Garnish with coriander and sesame seeds before serving with the dip. Sarah's Secret If you have time, allow the chicken to marinate for 20 minutes, but don't worry if it is not possible. Great to cook on the barbecue, prepare these skewers in the morning and refrigerate for cooking a speedy dinner later. Cheesy croquettes Cheesy croquettes, on the other hand, are a crowd-pleasing comfort food that's both fun and fast to make. Made with leftover mashed potatoes, they're budget-friendly and reduce waste. The crisp breadcrumb coating contrasts beautifully with the gooey melted cheese inside. Whether served as a snack, lunchbox filler, or side dish, they're a guaranteed hit with kids. You can even involve little hands in the shaping and coating process, turning prep time into a family activity. Together, these dishes offer quick, delicious, and flexible options that make summer meals stress-free and enjoyable. Include them in this week's dinner plans. Cheesy Croquettes recipe by:Sarah Butler Cheesy croquettes are incredibly easy to make and absolutely delicious. With just a few ingredients—mashed potatoes, cheese, breadcrumbs, and seasoning—you can whip up a batch in no time. Servings 4 Preparation Time 15 mins Cooking Time 15 mins Total Time 30 mins Course Side Ingredients 400g cooked mashed potato 60g red or white cheddar cheese grated 2 tsp freshly chopped parsley Salt and freshly ground pepper 130g flour 2 large eggs whisked 150g breadcrumbs - I use Panko breadcrumbs 400ml vegetable oil Method Mix the mashed potato, grated cheese and parsley in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Place the flour into one bowl. Put the beaten eggs into another bowl. Finally, the breadcrumbs into a third bowl. Allow the potato mixture to cool so they are easier to handle. Shape the potato mixture into 2-inch log shapes - I like to use disposible gloves for this part. Roll each log in flour first, then dip and coat entirely in egg wash, and finally coat in breadcrumbs. Repeat until the mixture is all used. Add the vegetable oil to a deep frying pan on high heat. Test by placing a crumb in. It should sizzle and rise to the top once hot enough. Fry the croquette in batches for about 2 minutes per batch, turning until golden all over. keep a close eye as they can burn quickly. Place on a raised rack until serving to allow excess oil to drip off. Sarah's Secret Disposable gloves are a great idea for the rolling and crumbing process. Croquettes freeze so well. Crumb them and freeze before frying, Defrost overnight and fry or bake. Read More Sarah Butler: How to make my tomato pesto chicken for dinner in under 30 minutes
