Sarah Butler: These homemade 'fakeaways' are great for getting kids into the kitchen
Sarah Butler's fakeaway faves.
Feeding a family doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated, or time-consuming.
With a little planning and a few staple ingredients, you can create meals that are just as satisfying as any takeaway — and far better for your budget, your health, and your family time.
That’s exactly what these two recipes offer: the wholesome comfort of a homemade omelette, and the bold, crunchy joy of KFC-style chicken tenders—both bursting with flavour and made with love.
Omelettes are a lifesaver for busy households. Quick to prepare, easy to customise, and great for using up leftover bits of veg or cooked meats, they’re a smart way to reduce waste while making something nutritious and delicious.
They’re also a great way to get kids involved—choosing their own fillings or even cracking the eggs themselves.
On the other hand, fake-away nights have become a popular treat, and making your own crispy chicken tenders at home brings all the fun without the grease or additives. You control what goes in—and the results are far more rewarding (and affordable) than a drive-thru meal.
Together, these two recipes give you the best of both worlds: fast, feel-good food that brings everyone around the table.
Easy Veggie & Ham Omelette
Omelettes are one of the most versatile and underrated meals around. Packed with protein, quick to make, and endlessly adaptable, they’re perfect for any time of day—from breakfast to a light dinner.
Servings
2Preparation Time
5 minsCooking Time
2 minsTotal Time
7 minsCourse
MainIngredients
4 eggs
2 tbsp milk
2 tsp butter
For the filling:
3–4 cherry tomatoes, quartered
½ spring onion, finely sliced
¼ red pepper, finely chopped
¼ yellow pepper, finely chopped
Handful of spinach
2 slices ham, finely chopped
40g red cheddar cheese, grated
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
In a bowl, whisk 2 eggs with 1 tablespoon of milk. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Heat 1 teaspoon of butter in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
Pour in the egg mixture and let it cook undisturbed for about 30 seconds.
Scatter half of the filling ingredients over one half of the omelette.
Cook for another 1 minute until the eggs are just set.
Carefully fold the plain half over the filled side using a spatula.
Slide onto a plate and serve hot with brown bread, toast, or roast potatoes.
Repeat steps 1–6 for the second omelette.
Prep your filling ingredients before you start cooking.
The omelette cooks extremely quickly, so having everything ready to go makes it fast and foolproof.
KFC-Style Chicken Tenders
These homemade KFC-style tenders are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, delivering all the crunch and flavour of your favourite takeaway—without the cost or mystery ingredients.
Servings
4Preparation Time
30 minsCooking Time
12 minsTotal Time
42 minsCourse
MainIngredients
For the coating:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp salt
1½ tsp dried thyme
1½ tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp celery salt
1 tbsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp ground yellow mustard
¼ cup paprika
2 tbsp garlic salt
1 tbsp ground ginger
3 tbsp ground white pepper
For the marinade:
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
1 whole chicken (cut into 8 pieces) or chicken tenders
Optional:
MSG seasoning
For frying:
Sunflower or rapeseed oil
Method
In a bowl, mix all coating ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg.
Add oil to a deep pan and heat to a medium-high heat.
Dredge the chicken in the flour mix, pressing firmly to coat. Shake off excess.
Fry 3–4 pieces at a time for 12 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through.
Transfer cooked chicken to a warm oven while frying the rest.
Double-dip for the ultimate crunch!
Dip the chicken in the flour, then the buttermilk, then dredge again trough the flour before frying.
