Mixed pea and leek risotto
When cooking risotto, it is vital to use Arborio or Carnaroli rice as these grains release the starch that gives risotto its creaminess. Swap the vegetables in this recipe for whatever is in season. Note
Sugar and caramel lace cupcakes
You will need some lace, a doily or a stencil for decorating these cakes. Note
Roasted italian pork belly
Ask the butcher to score the pork skin for you. Note
Pink velvet butterfly cakes
Cut a small round from the top of each cake; cut round in half to make two wings (step 7). Note
Middle-eastern chicken with fetta sauce
Nana's roast chicken simply doesn't stand up to this spice-packed Middle-Eastern roast with a creamy feta sauce.
Rainbow popcorn moon rocks
Cake pops can be made at least two days before the party. Note
Mandarin jelly
Why buy store-bought jam when you can make your own delicious mandarin jelly, perfect spread atop toast with a dollop of butter. This way, you know exactly what's going into it, and your family will love the homely touch.
Surfie chick
Work quickly while making the chocolate shells, as the chocolate tends to set quickly. You may need to resoften the chocolate in a microwave oven for a couple of seconds, if this happens. It’s important that the chocolate moulds are thoroughly cleaned and dried before using. Note
Soba in broth
You could add 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger to the broth for extra flavour, if you like. Note
Seafood laksa
Makrut lime leaves, aromatic leaves of a citrus tree, are used similarly to bay leaves or curry leaves. They are available from major supermarkets and Asian food stores. If you can’t buy snake beans, use regular green beans. Laksa pastes vary in heat, so use only as much as suits your heat tolerance. Note
Pink grapefruit granita with hazelnut wafers
You will need 2 large pink grapefruit for this recipe. You can also freeze the granita mixture in an ice-cream machine following the manufacturer’s instructions. Note
Risoni and vegetable salad
You can use a mixture of grilled eggplant, capsicum and sun-dried tomatoes for the antipasto vegetables. Grilled artichokes and mushrooms could also be used. Note
Roasted carrot with zucchini and feta
Recipe is best prepared as required. For a light meal (that serves four), serve with some crusty bread. Note
Muesli with poached pears & yoghurt
You will be able to find the ingredients for this muesli either in the health food aisle at most supermarkets or health food stores. The muesli will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Note
Prosciutto and rocket pizza
Don’t assemble or cook pizzas until just before serving to keep them from becoming soggy. Note
Currant and jam slice
This keeps for 4 days. Note
Pork and veal ravioli with burnt butter sauce
Bring the flavours of Italy to your home with this sweet and delicious ravioli pasta with burnt butter sauce.
Pear, sage & goat’s cheese seeded flatbreads
Do ahead The dough can be made a day ahead. Pear and onion mixture can be cooked 4 hours ahead. Note
Ruby grapefruit, orange and basil salad
This exquisite ruby grapefruit, orange and basil salad brings colour and zest to any dinner table.
Creamy prawn and tomato spaghetti
Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note
Mini almond coconut lamingtons
Lamingtons are perfect for gifts and fetes. They can be made ahead and frozen. Serve straight from the freezer or stand at room temperature until thawed. Note
Crispy prawns and noodles
To prevent prawns curling up too much during cooking, before coating, make three cuts along belly of each prawns. Turn prawns over and press down gently along the length of the body to flatten slightly. Note
Spaghetti marinara with crab
Rich tomato sauce, smoky meat, herbs and cheese the very best of fresh ingredients that’s the Italian way. Put the pot on and let it bubble its way to a delicious infusion of flavours. Note
Passionfruit sorbet
You need 12 medium passionfruit for this recipe. Note
Number 10
Use a pair of clean tweezers to position the tiny Wonka Nerds and other small lollies. Note
Raspberry rose meringues
It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. The meringues are best eaten within 2 hours of baking. Use strawberries or blackberries in place of the raspberries. Redcurrant jelly is a preserve found in the jam section of large supermarkets. Note
Strawberry cheesecake pops
Featured in The Australian Women's Weekly's Best-Ever Kids Cakes cookbook, these cute cake pops have put a fun twist on a classic strawberry cheesecake. Sweet and easy to eat, kids will love this adorable addition to their birthday party snacks!
Salt and pepper tofu with chilli lime dressing
This tasty vegetarian twist on the classic Aussie seafood dish switches squid for tofu. It works perfectly here with a crispy, spiced batter and a zesty Asian inspired salad.
Snow folk
6-hole (¾-cup/180ml) texas muffin pan 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 40cm (16-inch) square prepared cake board 2.5cm (1-inch) round cutter We used cotton wool to create a snowy effect. Use your imagination when you’re “dressing” the snow folk and use whatever “clothes” you like. You could use chenille sticks (pipe cleaners) for arms instead of […]
Cheesy pumpkin polenta fingers with ratatouille
Add a little sugar to the ratatouille to reduce any acid taste, if you like. If you want to reduce or eliminate the oil, the ratatouille can be cooked in the oven. Combine all the ingredients in an ovenproof dish and bake at 180°C (160°C fan-forced) for about 30 minutes. Note
Satay pork ribs with coleslaw
American-style pork ribs are well-trimmed mid-loin ribs; you will find them at butcher shops and most supermarkets. Note
Moroccan fish kebabs with preserved lemon couscous
You will need to soak eight 25cm (10-inch) bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from splintering or scorching during the cooking process. Note
Rose queen puddings
Rose petal jam is available from Middle-Eastern foodstores and delis. Note
Spring vegetable soup
A delicious soup full of seasonal spring vegetables.
Pesto dip with crispy garlic wedges
Garlic wedges can be made a week ahead. Note
Smoked cod and cheddar pie
We used ling in this recipe, but any firm white fish fillet will be fine. Note
Psycho-deliah
Be sure to remove all toothpicks from cake before cutting. Note
Spanish caramel rice pudding
Italian arborio rice from supermarkets will hold its shape better than locally grown arborio. Canned caramel filling is found in the baking aisle in supermarkets. Any sweet sherry is fine, however one of the nicest is Pedro Ximénez, a sweet dark sherry with a rich raisin-y taste. Note
Sticky date cakes with orange caramel sauce
You can substitute the almond meal for hazelnut or pecan meal if you prefer. The orange caramel sauce is best served immediately once prepared because it will separate on standing. Note
Saganaki prawn ravioli
These large, luxurious ravioli with their light tomato sauce make a lovely opener to a dinner party or, served with a fresh green salad, a stylish little lunch. Note
Pork rillettes with witlof & cornichons
We used a bottled mixture of cornichons and baby pickled onions. Rillettes are a classic dish served for an aperitif with slices of baguette, cornichons and a glass of red wine. Duck or goose rillettes are also very popular in France. Note
Mini pizza torpedoes
The rolls can be prepared for baking up to 12 hours ahead; keep, covered, in refrigerator. Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note
Primavera soup with pangrattato
This deliciously fragrant and warming Italian soup combines zucchini flowers and sweet peas to create a brilliant vegetarian meal. Serve topped with a crumbly pangrattato for a restaurant quality dish at home.
Sweet chilli and plum beef noodles
If you can’t buy hokkien noodles, use fresh wide egg noodles. Note
Pork and veal meatballs
Some butchers sell a pork and veal mince mixture, which is what we call for here. If it is not available as a mixture, buy half the amount in pork mince (500g) and half the amount (500g) as veal mince. Note
Cute cottages
Make a cottage for each year of the birthday child’s age and, rather than using fruit sticks for the chimneys, use chunky coloured candles, instead. You’ll have about 1 cup of the cake mixture left over, enough to make another little house. Note
Nippy the crab
Cute and fun little nippy the crab cupcakes that the kids will love.
Sichuan eggplant, almond and wombok stir-fry
A delicious stir-fried salad with spicy Sichuan chilli for some heat.
Strawberries dipped in lavender honey toffee
You can find lavender honey (produced by bees fed on lavender) at selected delicatessens. If unavailable, any variety of honey can be used. Note
Gluten-free tomato, chicken and spinach tart
There's no need to miss out on delicious pastry dishes because of allergies. This tasty chicken, semi-dried tomato and spinach tart is gluten-free, and beautiful enjoyed warm from the oven or served cool as a lunch-box snack.
Potatoes byron
Warm, hearty and creamy, Potatos Byron is a simple but tasty French potato recipe with Parmesan cheese and cream.
Cupid’s cupcakes
Equipment: three 12-hole (-cup/80ml) muffin pans 25 paper muffin cases 5 disposable piping bags medium plain piping tube 48cm x 55cm covered cake board Decorations: 8 red ALLEN’S MARELLA Jubes 4 red ALLEN’S SNAKES ALIVE 1 banana ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 3 strawberry ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 6 LIFE SAVERS PEP‘O’MINT, halved 6 LIFE SAVERS […]
Rhubarb and ginger crumble
Rhubarb can be cooked several hours ahead. Place in pie dish, cover and refrigerate. Top rhubarb with crumble topping and bake as required. Note
Corn and goat’s cheese quesadillas
A quesadilla (from queso, the Spanish word for cheese) is a tortilla “sandwich” containing cheese and any of a wide number of spicy filling ingredients, which is grilled, fried or toasted and usually served with salsa. You need to buy two untrimmed corn cobs (800g) to get the amount of trimmed corn needed for this […]
Sake-glazed salmon
Check for bones; pull them out with clean tweezers. Serve salmon with steamed rice and a green salad. Note
Rogan josh chapatis
Chapatis are available in packets of 6 from the bakery section in supermarkets. You can substitute any variety of flour tortillas, if preferred. Note
Soccer ball
Get the kids ready for the next world cup qualifier.This cake will surely encourage them to go outside and practise their ball skills. You can make it easier on yourself by using a Styrofoam ball instead of a cake for the shape of the soccer ball. Position the soccer ball on the cake about an […]
Rosewater sponge with strawbery compote
If you like, you can insert skewers into the cake to hold the layers in place while slicing. Cut through the top two cake layers and serve as a portion; cut through the bottom two cake layers as a second portion. Note
Spanish omelette
This is my own variation on the simple, classic omelette from Spain which usually has just onions, garlic and potatoes as the basis.
Poached flathead with herb salad
We used flathead for this recipe, but you can use any firm white-fleshed fish fillets. Note
Roasted plum tomatoes with barley salad
Pearl barley is a nutritious grain that has had the husk removed, and then has been hulled and polished so only the ‘pearl’ of the original grain remains, much the same as white rice. It is available from health-food stores and most supermarkets. Note
Spiced grilled beef with chilli beans
Pasilla chillies, also known as 'chile negro' because of their dark brown colour, possess a rich flavour that adds a smoky depth to the overall recipe.
