Mushroom soup with herbed cheese croûtes
Button or portobello mushrooms can also be used in this recipe. Note
Roasted summer fruit with sweet cashew cream
For added pizzaz, you can layer the cashew cream in glasses and top with the fruit for a more formal dessert. Try roasting other stonefruit such as plums and apricots.
Twice-cooked asian pork belly with steamed ginger rice
Twice-cooked asian pork belly with steamed ginger rice from Australian Women's Weekly.
Scallop and fish skewers with tomato salad
If you don't have any skewers handy, you could use rosemary sprigs instead, they'll infuse the fish with a lovely flavour. Soak them well first, to prevent burning. For the fish, we've used blue-eye but any white fish will do.
Beer-can chicken
When the beer-can chicken is roasting on the barbecue, the beer inside the can becomes steam. This steam keeps the chicken moist on the inside while the skin on the outside becomes lovely and crisp.
Chicken and asparagus pilaf
Swiss brown mushrooms, also known as roman or cremini, are light-to-darkbrown in colour with a full bodied flavour. Store on a tray in a single layer, covered with dampened absorbent paper, in a spot where cool air can circulate freely around them. Note
Beef skewers
Soak eight bamboo skewers in cold water for an hour before use to prevent them splintering or scorching during cooking. Note
Warm baby octopus with lemon dressing
This plate is ridiculously easy and quick to prepare, yet never fails to impress. The octopus needs just a minute on a hot grill to be cooked to perfection; a generous squeeze of lemon will finish it off beautifully.
Pasta salad with smoked trout, asparagus, lemon and capers
This delicious salad is best made and assembled the day you are going to eat it; it can be made in the morning if you are going to be enjoying it for lunch.
Kumara and pecan loaf
Served warm with a slather of butter, this golden loaf is perfect for the cooler months of the year.
Broad bean salad with anchovy dressing
Awaken your taste buds with this delicious, healthy salad.
Salmon with roast chats and salsa verde
Salsa verde gives this dish a splash of colour and a delicious flavour. Teamed with crispy roasted potatoes, there should be no complaints at the dinner table.
Toffee chocolate spoons
Quick and fun toffee chocolate spoons from Australian Women's Weekly.
Beef and caramelised onion pies
A classic modern pie with beef and caramelised onion from Australian Women's Weekly.
Oaty apple and apricot slice
This golden slice makes a delicious, homely dessert served with ice-cream.
Felafel
This traditional Middle Eastern favourite is a versatile vegetarian dish that everyone will love.
Corn cakes with tomato & basil salsa
Replace basil with parsley leaves or shredded mint leaves. Note
Black-eyed beans with kumara, shallots and garlic
This warm vegetable salad utilises simple flavours to create a delicious and colourful dish.
Lime and coconut slice
This zingy lime and coconut slice is just what you need to awaken the tastebuds.
Mixed berries with mascarpone
A few key ingredients and just 10 minutes preparation and you and your guests can be enjoying these mixed berries with mascarpone; easy, simple, yet oh so good. Use your favourite mixture of berries for this recipe.
Chicken stuffed with ricotta,basil and prosciutto
This recipe is suitable to make in a slow cooker and pressure cooker. Note
Chicken and asparagus risotto
If you prefer a creamier risotto, you can add a knob of butter and a handful of parmesan to this chicken and asparagus risotto at the end of cooking, allow it to melt and stir it through.
Chicken satay skewers with pickled cucumber & carrot salad
Accompany with salad and top with coriander. pickled cucumber & carrot salad Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning when cooking, or wrap the ends in foil. Add mint leaves and thai basil leaves to the salad for added flavour. To bulk out the salad and increase your vegetable intake […]
Nest egg
We used blue sugared almonds, available from confectionery and speciality nut shops, but you can use any colour you like. Note
Tuna tartare on baby cos
Tuna sold as sashimi has to meet stringent guidelines regarding its handling and treatment after leaving the water. It is a good idea to buy it only from a fishmonger you trust, or to seek advice from local authorities before eating any raw seafood. Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note
Beef pies with polenta tops
Delight the family with these moreish beef pies with cheesy polenta and potato toppings.
Lamb shank, vegetable and lentil soup
If you have an electric pressure cooker you won’t need to reduce the heat to stabilise pressure,your cooker will automatically stabilise itself. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions before using. Note
Wilbur the wombat
Make this exciting and fun cake for your child's birthday party.
Tofu and pumpkin soup
This fragrant soup has a magnificent creamy texture thanks to the addition of the tofu.
Baked plums with frozen almond cream
A match made in culinary heaven.
Tomato mint kachumber
Kachumber is an Indian salad consisting of fresh chopped tomatoes, onions, if you like, chilli peppers.
Chicken, vegetable and almond stir-fry
A light and healthy Asian stir-fry with chicken, vegetable and almond.
Beef wontons
These crunchy beef dumplings with sweet chilli dipping sauce are the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Fig & prosciutto salad
Freeze cheese for 10 minutes to make crumbling easier. Note
Asparagus, pea and lemon pilaf
The freshness of this asparagus, pea and lemon pilaf is perfect for a spring or summer evening.
Coconut mango pearl smoothie
This recipe is dairy-free. Note
Lamb stack with capsicum, eggplant and pesto
Use egg poaching rings to help create the stacks when plating up this spectacular dish.
Classic pavlova
There's nothing more authentically Australian than serving up a classic pavlova, laden with cream and fruit, at the end of a summer's day barbecue.
Carrot cakes
To save waste you could use the different coloured fondant sections from the licorice allsorts and decorate each cake with a different colour. Note
Barley, pumpkin and mushroom risotto
Barley is rich in fibre and full of nutrients. It has a lovely nutty flavour and chewy texture, making it a perfect low-GI alternative to a traditional rice risotto.
Twice-cooked pork
“Twice-cooked” Chinese dishes date from days before refrigeration, when people boiled large cuts of meat because it kept better than if left fresh. Here, it also helps rid the meat of some of its excess fat. For extra-crisp pork, serve it on the capsicum mixture rather than tossing them together. Note
Vegetable dumplings in broth
Asian-style vegetable dumplings in broth from Australian Women's Weekly.
Chilli chicken stir-fry with Asian greens
This delicious Asian chilli chicken stir-fry is packed full of flavour and the goodness of veggies. Plus, it's easy to make - perfect for a mid-week family dinner.
Braciole with cheese
Best made a day ahead; can be refrigerated, covered, up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in moderately slow oven about 45 minutes or until hot. Smoked provolone is an all-purpose semi-hard Italian cheese with a firm texture wit a mild, smoky flavor. Note
Beef fillet with horseradish mash
Done well, there is nothing quite like good old steak and mash. We've gone upmarket here and chosen eye fillet and teamed it with creamy mash, red wine sauce, and some greens. Perfection.
Vegetable brochettes
Cut vegetables the same size for even cooking. If you have time, the shallot mixture will develop more flavour if it’s covered and refrigerated overnight. Serve with yoghurt. Note
A superstar at five
Make your child's birthday special with this amazing butter cake covered in yellow buttercream and blue stars.
Raspberry and orange cordial
Bright, fruity and packed with flavour, raspberry and orange cordial is a great base for a refreshing soft drink or used as a mixer for vodka or white rum.
Parmesan crisps
Although these crisps make a great snack on their own, you can also use them to accompany dips or soup. Make crisps in two large sheets, then break into shards to serve. Add sesame seeds to the mix if you like.
Hazelnut butterscotch self-saucing pudding
Rich, sweet and earthy, this hazelnut butterscotch self-saucing pudding is an excellent way to warm up this winter.
Tempura prawns with lime and chilli sauce
If you're looking for something piquant for a starter or cocktail platter, these tempura prawns with lime and chilli sauce are perfect.
Quinoa salad with haloumi and pomegranate
Fresh pomegranate seeds can sometimes be found in the fridge section of supermarkets or good green grocers. If unavailable, cut a whole pomegranate in half and scrape the seeds from flesh with your fingers while holding the pomegranate upside down in a bowl of cold water; the seeds will sink and the white pith will […]
Veal with eggplant, olives and capers
Rich and full of flavour veal with eggplant, olives and capers from Australian Women's Weekly.
Date and chocolate torte
A torte is traditionally a layered cake with buttercream type frosting. Of course they can always be adapted to the size, flavours and styles you prefer.
Char-grilled beef salad
Substitute brown sugar for the palm sugar, if desired. The salad dressing can be made a day ahead and kept, covered, in the refrigerator. Note
Beef fajitas
Fajita is a traditional Mexican dish where grilled meats and vegetables are rolled up in a tortilla and eaten with your hands. Chicken or pork may be used instead of the beef. Note
Coconut prawns with dipping sauce
Fishmongers and major supermarkets should have fresh shelled prawns with the tails intact. If you can’t find them fresh, prawns are also available frozen. Thaw in the fridge during the day, so they are ready to cook when you get home. Note
Lamb and quince tagine with pistachio couscous
As with the word casserole, tagine also has two different culinary meanings. Originally from Moroccan kitchens and now found in many of ours, a tagine is the earthenware, cone-lidded vessel in which the spicy, fragrant North African stew with the same name is cooked. The lid serves as a vent, allowing the steam to escape, […]
Barbecued lamb sandwiches
This is a homemade version of the delicious Greek sandwich called gyro. Gyros are made from slices of meat cooked on a turning spit.
Vietnamese chicken & herb salad
A fresh, fragrant, sweet and sour Vietnamese chicken and herb salad with pickled carrot and a spicy dressing.
Grilled piri piri drumettes with coleslaw
Grilled piri piri drumettes with a spicy coleslaw from Australian Women's Weekly.
Baby BLTs
Perfect for a party, these mini sandwiches look great and are so easy to prepare.
Chocolate rocky road ice-cream
If you can’t find rocky road confectionery, use a tub of chocolate rocky road ice-cream instead. Note
Date slice
This recipe is simple and oh so sweet, but the best part? It uses less refined sugar, and instead opts for the delicious natural sweeteners of dates and honey. Bonus!
Bacon and corn soufflé omelettes
Called a soufflé omelette because of the way it puffs and billows when cooked, a lighter-than-air appearance make this an impressive dish to serve for brunch.
Veal marsala
A classic Italian veal recipe, a superthin veal cutlet, drizzled in a sweet dry wine sauce.
Black bean and chilli prawn kebabs
If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least an hour before using, to avoid splintering and scorching during cooking. Note
Pan-fried chicken with chilli butter
Simple, fast and full of flavour, the ideal mid-week dinner recipe.
Braised leg of lamb with beans
Braising is a cooking technique that is usually used for tougher, less expensive cuts of meat. The meat is seared, or browned, and then simmered in liquid on a low heat in a covered pot. The resulting meat is beautifully tender and flavourful. Slow cooker: suitable to the end of step 6. Pressure cooker: suitable […]
Jacket potatoes with baked beans
If you prefer, you can cook the filled jacket potatoes in the microwave on high (100%) power for 2 minutes. Note
