Singapore curry noodles
You need to purchase a large barbecued chicken weighing about 900g for this recipe. Note
Rollmops with celeriac salad, remoulade and caraway chats
Rollmops are herring fillets wrapped around a slice of gherkin, red capsium and/or onion preserved in a spiced vinegar brine. Note
Spanish-style barbecue leg of lamb
This deliciously tender piece of lamb is cooked using traditional Spanish flavours, combining salty chorizo and fragrant garlic and thyme to create a memorable dish for a roast dinner or Christmas lunch.
Millet and tofu salad
We used cryovac-packed ready-to-serve sweet chilli tofu, available from many supermarkets and Asian food stores. Note
Chicken gumbo
A classic hearty chicken stew that originated in southern Louisiana.
Garlic chicken stir-fry with buk choy
Delicious and warming garlic chicken stir-fry with buk choy from Australian Women's Weekly.
Pork rack with apple sage sauce
Crispy and delicious pork rack with a sweet apple sage sauce from Australian Women's Weekly.
Christmas snowflakes
White ready-made fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes), silver luster and cachous can be found at specialty baking and cake-decorating stores. Note
Rosemary, basil & garlic cuttlefish skewers
Soak 10 bamboo skewers in cold water for an hour before use to prevent them splintering or scorching during cooking. Note
Crazy clowns
A row of clown faces on a party table decorated with streamers and party whistles would look great. Pushing the “hair” into the cakes is a bit fiddly, and needs to be done about an hour before the party. You will have enough cake mixture left over to make about another five clowns , you’ll […]
Snakes and ladders
Children of all ages will be delighted with a cake that makes one of their favourite games good enough to eat. Note
Poached peaches in vanilla syrup
These peaches will keep for 1 week stored in an airtight container in the fridge. After 2 days, the liquid will increase by half, and the flavours will intensify. Make sure the fruit is covered in the poaching liquid. Keep any leftover poaching liquid to poach other fruit, or reduce to a syrup by simmering […]
Pumpkin hummus with green onion crisps
Divide dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a long oval about 3mm thick. Note
Plum paste
Using slightly under-ripe plums gives them a higher pectin level, which helps the paste to set. Note
Capsicum sabayon
Warm sabayon must be served immediately. Note
Planter’s punch
Bacardi or dark rum can be used, though the slightly darker rum has a stronger flavour. Note
Portuguese-style chicken
Sometimes sold as spring salad mix, mesclun is a commercial assortment of young green leaves, and will usually include some or all of the following: rocket, mizuna, baby spinach, curly endive, oak leaf, radicchio and mignonette. When cooking poultry directly on the barbecue grill, it only needs moderately-hot heat; place food on the edges of […]
Number 8
You will need 2 x 180g packets of Allen’s Killer Pythons for this recipe. Note
Marbled lamingtons
To keep the coconut free of chocolate drips, spread out half the coconut in a tray and coat half the lamingtons before using the remaining coconut for the remaining lamingtons. This gives the lamingtons a clean look. Lamingtons can be frozen for up to 3 months. Note
Redskin cocktail
Vanilla-infused vodka can be bought from an alcohol store or made at home. To make vanilla-infused vodka, combine 250ml vodka and 2 split vanilla beans in a glass jar, cover; stand for about 5 days or until the vodka is infused with vanilla flavour. Discard vanilla beans before using the vodka. Guava juice is available […]
Marzipan chocolate and cranberry slice
Slice will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Note
Polka dots and stripes
Equipment 25cm (10-inch) round cake pans 35cm (14-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 2cm (¾-inch), 1.5cm (¾-inch) and 1cm (½-inch) round cutters fine artist’s paint brush We used the end of a 1cm piping tube to cut out the smallest dots. What a fun cake this is to have at a party - a […]
Roasted salmon and warm potato salad
You could buy 4 x 75g salmon fillets instead of the larger fillet. The yellow beans add some colour to the dish; if unavailable use green beans. Note
Roasted tomatoes with garlic and herbs
Roast the tomatoes in a baking dish with deep sides; this shields them from the heat so they won’t burn. Note
Miso garlic dip with cucumber
A fantastic miso garlic dip for Japanese-style dinner parties or sharing platters.
Lamb and kidney bean cassoulet
This is a complete meal in a dish, but, it doesn’t reheat or freeze well, as the breadcrumbs absorb the moisture as it stands. Packaged japanese breadcrumbs (panko) can be bought from supermarkets which stock Japanese ingredients, they’re an excellent substitute for stale breadcrumbs. Note
Sweet soy drumettes with black bean salad
The black beans used in this recipe are also known as turtle beans, and are Cuban and Latin American rather than Chinese in origin. Jet black with a tiny white eye, black beans can be found in most greengrocers and delicatessens. Note
Poached eggs with rösti and chilli relish
Sweet chilli relish is available in most supermarkets and delicatessens, or other any chutney or relish would be suitable. Note
Seafood antipasto
The seafood can be prepared the night before, as can the dressing. Refrigerate seafood and dressing until you’re ready to start cooking. Note
Spicy vegetable and lentil salad
Spicy vegetable and lentil salad packed full of char-grilled capsicum, carrot, pumpkin and red onion.
Sumac lamb and roast vegetable sandwich
A deep purple-red spice ground from berries grown on a Mediterranean coastal shrub, sumac adds an astringent flavour to both raw and cooked food. It suits poultry, meat and fish as well as it does a salad. Its piquancy was long only associated with Middle Eastern foods, but these days it is used in many […]
Rainbow rice salad
Use any rice you like for this recipe, just make sure it’s cooked properly so every grain is separate. You could use about 3½ cups of cold leftover rice if you happen to have it, if not cook, rinse and drain the rice the day before the picnic. Keep the rice in the fridge. Assemble […]
Wedding cake pops
The cake pops are fiddly to make, but are well worth the effort. We used little sugar roses, bought from the supermarket, to decorate the wedding cakes. Note
Pork, fennel and olive ragout
Deliciously tender pork, fennel and olive ragout that can be done in a pressure cooker in no time.
Peri peri fish with herb salad
We used blue-eye in this recipe, but any white fish fillet will be fine. Peri peri, also spelled piri piri, is a hot chilli sauce used in African, Portuguese and Brazilian cookery. It is available from gourmet food stores and most major supermarkets. Note
Seafood rice
You will need about 1⅓ cups (265g) of uncooked rice for this recipe. Note
Strawberry patch
You’ll need to buy about three packets of conversation hearts to get 16 pink hearts. Note
Papaya and orange salad
Syrup can be made the night before and stored, covered, in the refrigerator. Note
Mocha raisin pudding
It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for the mocha sauce. Note
Number six snakes alive birthday cupcakes
You’ll have ¾ cup of the cake mixture left over, enough for another three cup cakes. Note
Smoked salmon and asparagus with hollandaise sauce
Recipe is best prepared as required. Note
Potato and egg salad
If kipfler potatoes are unavailable you can use baby new potatoes. You could also use aïoli, a garlic mayonnaise, instead of plain mayonnaise, and lemon juice instead of warm water to jazz this salad up. Note
Steak bourguignon with celeriac potato mash
You can substitute rib-eye (scotch fillet) or sirloin (new-york cut) steak for the eye fillet in this recipe. Note
Roast beef and coleslaw on rye
You can buy the roast beef, already cooked and sliced, from any deli. Make the coleslaw the night before, and make the sandwich at lunch time the next day. Use whatever cabbage you like; we used red cabbage, but try the chinese variety (wombok), it’s easy to shred finely. Note
Mushroom, tomato and zucchini skewers with white bean puree
You need 12 skewers; if using bamboo skewers, soak them in water 1 hour before use to prevent splintering or scorching. Note
Cherry blossoms in spring
Equipment you will need to make this recipe; 30cm round wooden cake board, 15cm round wooden cake board, smoothing tools, 3 wooden skewers, 2 paper piping bags, 5-petal plunger cutter set (small, medium and large), vinyl mat, ball tool, and 2 fine artist’s paint brushes tweezers. The cherry blossom is the symbol of Japan, as […]
Salt cod with roasted tomatoes
Salted cod, also called salt cod, baccala, bacalhau, bacalao and morue, is available from Italian, Spanish and Portuguese delicatessens and some specialty food stores. Note
Pork with fennel coleslaw
You can replace the pork medallions with lean pork fillet. Use a vegetable peeler to slice the carrot lengthways into thin ribbons. The pork can be served warm or cold. Reheat the pork, covered, in a microwave oven on HIGH (100%) for about 1 minute. Note
Sumac beef and pine nut tarts
Sumac is a purple-red, astringent spice ground from berries growing on shrubs around the Mediterranean; it has a tart, lemony flavour. It can be found in Middle-Eastern food stores and major supermarkets. Note
Goat’s cheese gateau
Preserved lemons can be bought from delicatessens and some supermarkets. Remove a piece of lemon from the jar, discard the lemon flesh. Rinse the rind under water; dry, then chop finely. Note
Salmon and leek quiches
Cool the quiches before packing into airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 2 days. They are not suitable to freeze. You need four 10cm (4-inch) spring-form tins for this recipe. Note
Sesame noodle salad
This Asian-style sesame noodle salad is sticky, sweet and utterly delicious.
Seafood skewers with radicchio and fennel salad
Use green peppercorns in brine if you can’t find the dried variety, rinse then drain them thoroughly before using. You need to soak eight bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour before use to prevent splintering and scorching. Any firm white fish fillet, such as ling or blue-eye, can be used in this […]
Red curry chicken with sugar snap peas
A rich and creamy red Thai-style curry from Australian Women's Weekly.
Lime curd, coconut and mango cake
This bright and colourful lime curd, coconut and mango cake is the perfect summertime treat.
Roasted cherry tomatoes, feta and avocado on turkish bread
Adding avocado to this open sandwich not only adds a rich creamy flavour, it also increases its nutritional value. Avocados are a rich source of potassium and healthy monounsaturated fats that help to lower cholesterol. Use a loaf of ciabatta bread if turkish bread is not available. Note
Passionfruit cake with orange blossom and mint tea syrup
For this recipe you will need about 12 passionfruit to make 80ml of pulp. This type of cake is best made on day of serving. Note
Roasted snapper with fennel
We used whole pink snapper in this recipe, but you can use any whole white fish. Note
Slow-cooker lamb & eggplant curry
A rich, fragrant and warming slow-cooked lamb and eggplant curry that will melt in your mouth.
Overnight apricot and bran rolls
Keeping time: 3 days. Note
Curried blue-eye with lentils and raita
As easy as raita is to make, if you are in a hurry you can cheat and buy tzatziki, which is the Greek eqivalent of the Indian raita. Note
Greek-style pork fillet
This delicious herb-marinated pork fillet is perfect enjoyed with a side salad, or some steamed veggies for a quick and tasty family dinner.
Sashimi stacks
Wonderfully fresh and light, enjoy these beautiful salmon sashimi stacks as a light lunch, starter on canape.
Lemon polenta cake with lemon compote
Orange blossom water, also called orange flower water, is a concentrated flavouring made from orange blossoms. It is available from Middle Eastern food stores, delicatessens and some supermarkets. Note
Little chicken
Use a 26cm x 35cm baking dish 35cm square cake board. Cake can be made and covered with butter cream a day before the party. Top with popcorn and finish the cake up to three hours before the party. Be sure to remove toothpicks before cutting and serving the cake. Note
Mexicana beef
A quick, easy and flavour-packed Mexican beef stir-fry from Australian Women's Weekly.
