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As the festive season winds down and we all start watching our pennies a bit more closely, it's the perfect time to explore some fun, family-friendly recipes that won't break the bank. This month, we're thrilled to bring you our special "Fakeaway Edition" – a collection of easy, low-cost meals that are sure to tantalise your taste buds without emptying your wallet.
In this edition, we're focusing on three of Dale Farm's beloved ingredients – buttermilk, milk, and cream – to create five scrumptious recipes that are perfect for those craving a takeaway but still wanting to keep things healthy and homemade. So, grab your apron, rally the troops in the kitchen, and let's dive into a world of budget-friendly culinary creations!
Fancy a Chinese takeaway? Hold that thought and try this budget-friendly chicken curry instead. It's easy to make and even easier on your wallet!
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts, cut into chunks
200 ml Dale Farm buttermilk
2 onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp each of turmeric, cumin, coriander, and garam masala
400g canned tomatoes
Fresh coriander, chopped
Method:
Mix chicken with Dale Farm buttermilk and half the spices. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight
Sauté onions and garlic until golden
Add the rest of the spices to the onions for a fragrant twist
Cook the marinated chicken until it starts to brown
Add canned tomatoes and simmer until the chicken is cooked and the sauce thickens
Sprinkle it with fresh coriander and serve with rice or naan. Voilà, a curry night that gives any takeaway a run for its money!
Skip the restaurant's pasta and whip up this homemade creamy mac and cheese. It's a hug in a dish!
Ingredients:
300g macaroni pasta
500 ml Dale Farm milk
200g cheddar cheese, grated
50g breadcrumbs
25g butter
25g flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Cook macaroni as per instructions. Drain and set aside.
Melt butter, stir in flour, and cook for a minute.
Whisk in Dale Farm milk until the sauce thickens.
Add most cheese, saving some for the top, and melt. Season away!
Mix cheese sauce with macaroni, transfer to a baking dish.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs and remaining cheese.
Bake at 180°C for 20 minutes until golden.
Who needs fast-food when you can make a smashing buttermilk chicken burger at home? Plus, it's a great way to save those pennies!
Ingredients:
4 chicken breast fillets
200 ml Dale Farm buttermilk
4 burger buns
Lettuce, tomato (and your favourite burger toppings!)
50g flour
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for frying (or better yet, use an air fryer for a healthier, energy-saving option!)
Method:
Soak the chicken fillets in Dale Farm buttermilk with a pinch of salt and pepper. Let this sit for at least an hour to infuse the chicken with flavour.
Mix flour with paprika, and a bit more salt and pepper. Coat the marinated chicken in this mixture for that perfect golden crunch.
If you're using an air fryer (a brilliant way to save energy), preheat it to 180°C. Air fry the chicken for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked.
Lightly toast your buns for that extra oomph.
Start with lettuce and tomato on the bottom bun, followed by the crispy chicken fillet.
Add cheese, pickles, mayo, or whatever tickles your fancy.
Top it off with the other half of the bun and behold – your homemade, budget-friendly buttermilk chicken burger!
Ditch the pricey lunchtime soup and sandwich combo and make your own scrumptious tomato soup at a fraction of the cost!
Ingredients:
800g ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
500 ml vegetable stock
100 ml Dale Farm cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Basil leaves for garnish
Method:
Cook onion and garlic until soft.
Add tomatoes and cook until they start to soften.
Pour in vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Puree the soup until smooth.
Stir in Dale Farm cream and season.
Top with basil leaves and a swirl of cream. A soup-er lunchtime treat that's both comforting and cost-effective!
Fish and chips, a staple here in Northern Ireland. But why queue at the chippy when you can make a smashing version at home with Dale Farm buttermilk? It's easier on the wallet and just as tasty!
Ingredients:
4 white fish fillets (like cod or haddock)
200 ml Dale Farm buttermilk
200g flour, plus extra for dusting
4 large potatoes, cut into chips
Herbs (like parsley or dill) for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for frying
Method:
Soak the fish fillets in Dale Farm buttermilk with a pinch of salt for 30 minutes.
Parboil the chips for 5 minutes, then drain and dry. Pop into the Airfryer for 30-40 minutes (depending how crispy you like your chips!)
Mix flour with salt and pepper. Place the marinated fish in flour.
Heat oil and fry the fish until golden and crispy.
Sprinkle with herbs and serve with a lemon wedge. Who needs the chippy when you've got this?!
And there we have it – five fabulous, wallet-friendly recipes to kickstart your January with a bang! Share your creations, by tagging us over on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok.
Happy cooking, everyone!
