Dinner ideas

This easy beetroot, asparagus and feta salad is packed full of colour and goodness and makes an appetising addition to the barbecue table. The tangy dressing and walnuts add an extra depth of flavour and texture.

These lamb kebabs are perfect for a lazy summer barbecue. The addition of a fresh mediterranean style tomato, olive and fetta salad completes the dish.

The use of scotch fillet steak means that this beef and zucchini curry will be ready in no time. Sprinkle some crushed peanuts on top, together with a generous squeeze of lime and serve with jasmine rice.

Hoisin sauce is a thick, strongly flavoured sauce that is very common in Chinese cuisine. Its sweet and salty taste works well as a glaze for meat, an addition to stir fries, or as dipping sauce. It is perfect with grilled chicken.

You will need about 1 large bunch of coriander for this recipe. Note

Nepalese pork mince curry

This traditional South African bean curry is a wonderfully warming vegetarian dish that is packed full of flavour and goodness to keep you fueled for longer.

Give your meat and three veg a facelift with this delicious and healthy plate of lamb cutlets and char-grilled vegetables. Full of colour and flavour, this dish will have the kids running to the table.

Paleo devotees look away! This delicious carb on carb fest would have had our ancestors rolling in their graves, but oh, how we love the combination of potato and rosemary on a crisp pizza base.

Kids will love this cheesy, speedy pizza made with pita bread. If you want to add more protein, make a hollow in the centre and crack an egg into it, then bake.

Simple and delicious, this pasta dish can be on the dinner table in just half an hour. Don't be frightened of the anchovies; topped with the garlic breadcrumbs, they give a wonderful flavour.

This tender, aromatic beef in an Asian broth can be on your dinner table in under half an hour and is packed full of goodness and flavour that the family will love. It's a tasty and easy mid-week meal.

These delicious, tender sumac-spiced lamb and eggplant stacks with salad and baby truss tomatoes make a fabulous starter or light dinner.

Middle Eastern cuisine often incorporates fruit like apricots and raisins into meat dishes. Currants are little sweet, raisin-like dried fruits that give this already fragrant dish an extra flavour boost.

This tandoori salmon pilaf is a healthy and delicious Indian inspired family meal. The fragrant spices of the tandoori are perfectly balanced alongside the fresh and creamy raita.

Pan frying asparagus intensifies their natural flavour. Serve this delicious asparagus with parmesan dish with lemon wedges, a little plate of butter pats and a pepper grinder.

This fresh tomato and chilli pasta is the perfect midweek family meal that will satisfy everyone. Serve alongside some crusty garlic bread and the kids will be at the table before you can say "dinner's ready!"

Fans of the classic meatloaf will love this recipe. This glazed pork and veal version is moist, tender and packed with flavour. Serve it alongside vegetables for an easy family meal, and slice any leftovers for sandwiches the next day.

This sweet and fragrant Thai beef and coconut curry is spicy without being too hot, with tender morsels of beef and vegetables in a rich, creamy curry sauce.

A delicious white bean, leek and garlic sausage soup with pistou that will warm you up and fill you up on a cold winters day. Especially if you've got plenty of good bread to dunk in it as you go.

Named after the traditionally earthenware pot in which it is cooked, this lamb tagine with baby carrots is full of aromatic spice and flavour, and the meat is succulent and tender from the long cooking process.

Yellow curry is a lighter, less spicy style of curry that gets its colour from the ground turmeric that forms part of the paste. This Thai-style fish and potato version is creamy and mild.

Bite-sized baby potatoes always make for a delicious side dish, especially when they're tossed in garlic and rosemary. Keep an eye out for new season baby spuds, and make this dish as soon as they appear.

This Thai chicken noodle soup is full of all those lovely and distinctive Asian flavours and will not fail to please. Best of all, you can be enjoying a steaming bowl in under 15 minutes. What's not to love?

Light as air and beautifully frothy, zabaglione is a classic Italian dessert. You can spice up this lovely chocolate zabaglione by adding a teaspoon of orange zest at the end, like a sophisticated jaffa.

Every body loves a curry, and while there are some very good quality curry pastes on the market, nothing quite beats the kick and flavour of making your own. It's surprisingly easy.

A more sophisticated cousin of fish-n-chips and mushy peas, this seared ocean trout and potato smash with pea and mint salsa is simple to prepare, and a healthy and delicious way to increase your oily fish intake.

Add an exotic touch to an everyday crème caramel with rosewater, cardamom and saffron. Silky soft and darkly sweet, this is a stunning dessert.

Beef vindaloo is a classic curry most famous in India's Goa region. Not for the faint hearted, the chilli packs a particularly spicy punch. To balance the dish, serve with a side of riata and an ice cold beer.

This vegetarian version of the old British classic is every bit as hearty as its meaty cousin. Lentil cottage pie is the perfect option when you're after something meat-free, but substantial.

The chilli pancetta gives the linguine a lovely spicy kick. If you can't find it, use regular pancetta and add chilli to taste. Just a short time in the pan will be enough for the asparagus to add a touch of crunchy texture.

This fragrant Thai prawn stir-fry uses the root of a bunch of coriander as well as the leaves, which adds a depth of flavour not found otherwise. Serve with steamed rice or noodles.

Packed full of vegetables, this chickpea and pumpkin ratatouille is perfect as an accompaniment or a meal on its own.

We love the simplicity and ease of this creamy chicken casserole. It's a one pot dish containing five different types of vegetables in a delicious creamy sauce. Perfect for a mid week family meal.

Both, sopressa and chorizo can be quite spicy. Taste the different varieties on offer at the delicatessen before making this meat lover's pizza.

For such a classy dish, this is a really simple and quick recipe. There's only one thing to be careful of; don't overcook the seafood or it will be tough and leathery.

Penne matriciana is a simple peasant style pasta dish made with fresh tomato and bacon. It can be on the table in 30 minutes and is a tasty and satisfying meal that will please even the fussiest of eaters.

These barbecue prawn and chorizo skewers are so easy to prepare and assemble. The the tangy lime flavoured mustard dressing will have your guests coming back for more. Serve with a cold beer or crisp wine.

Snapper is an incredibly versatile fish. It can be barbecued, grilled, steamed or fried with equally delicious results. This pan seared version with buttery capers results in tender flesh and tasty, crispy skin.

The secret to a perfectly cooked, moist pork steak is to take the meat out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature before cooking on a medium heat. This will prevent the outside from being overcooked when the inside is done.

For a new take on the usual Tex-Mex fare, consider this delicious chicken taco salad. You've all the fresh and healthy ingredients of a usual taco, but none of the mess that is involved in eating with your hands.

Full of creamy coconut flavour and packed with jewels of the sea, this seafood curry is a celebration of all things tropical. Adjust the chilli for more or less kick, and serve with rice to mop up that delicious sauce.

Crisp outsides, crunchy corners and soft, tender insides with a honey, mustard and rosemary marinade make these the perfect roasted root vegetables.

Everyone loves a burger and with this version you'll be fighting them off. They're packed with flavour and they beat the local takeaway hands down.

Give your family a taste of Southeast Asia with these garlic prawns and buk choy with herbed rice. Buk choy is becoming a common vegetable in many Australian kitchens and not without good reason. It's healthy, delicious and versatile.

Make your own stock to transform your stews and soups and dinner dishes. It's really incredibly simple, cost effective and a great way to use up vegetables and vegie scraps.

Sure it's convenient to buy liquid or cubed beef stock from the supermarket, but nothing quite beats the natural goodness and flavour of the home made version. Freeze in convenient batches to use in sauces and gravies.

Quince adds a new kind of flavour to this spicy veal and caramelised onion tagine. Using veal knuckle adds richness to the finished dish as the marrow melts during cooking.

You could use apricots as well or instead of either fruit for this divine peach and nectarine trifle. As a rule of thumb, just go with whatever is best in season.

This easy lamb curry takes a little time to cook so that those lovely flavours develop sufficiently, but apart from the initial preparation it's pretty much hands off. And not a jar of curry paste in sight.

This herbed beef fillet is exceedingly good. We've cooked it to a rare finish in this recipe. Whichever way you decide cook it, remember to rest it for at least 10 minutes to get the most out of this delicious cut of meat.

Try this exquisite salad as a light lunch or as a side to your next dinner.

This light and crispy potato galette has a definite Spanish flavour, thanks to the chorizo, olives and paprika that tops it. A quick and easy dish that's perfect for a light summer lunch with friends.

Pomegranate molasses is thick and brown with a concentrated flavour. It possesses tart and fruity qualities similar to balsamic vinegar and complements the lamb cutlets beautifully in this recipe.

Roasted mushrooms make a deeply savoury, rich and earthy sauce for this tender roast rack of lamb. Served with little roast potatoes and your choice of vegetables for a fabulous roast lunch or dinner.

The ham hock can be cooked a day or two before it’s needed. Keep the ham from the bone, covered with the reserved liquid, in the fridge; reheat it when needed in a saucepan over a low heat.

Succulent and easy to prepare, these tuna skewers with soba noodles are a great option for increasing your fish intake. This is an easy dish to make, and perfect for little hands to experience the fun of preparing the family meal.

This moist sage-roasted pork loin is a deliciously simple mid-week family meal. Serve it sliced thickly with roasted vegetables and keep the leftovers for the kids' lunchbox sandwiches.

It's worth the wait.

The spices we've used here are used extensively in Moroccan cooking and bring a particular depth of flavour and vibrancy to meat dishes. Cooked in this way, the lamb will be perfectly moist and tender.

This colourful Asian-inspired stir-fry is healthy, simple to make and can be on your dinner table in a flash or even quicker if you buy your prawns pre-prepared. It is equally delicious served with steamed rice or noodles.

This coconut rice with capsicum and coriander is a great quick and easy vegetarian meal. Calrose rice is a medium-grain rice that is extremely versatile; you can substitute short or long-grain rice, if necessary.

Fill your kitchen with the heady aroma and taste of Italy with this healthy and colourful eggplant, tomato and basil pizza made with your own thin and crispy pizza base. Just like mama used to make!

This Sichuan pork with peach and chilli salad is typical of this style of Chinese cuisine, with its bold flavours and particular kick that comes from the classic Sichuan pepper seasoning.

Paper-thin slices of raw beetroot and fennel are a perfect match for tender, flaky salmon in this healthy, tasty dish. Equally fine as lunch or a light dinner, just add some potatoes or rice if you want something more substantial.

This prawn and sweet chilli salad ticks all the boxes. It's full of fresh and healthy ingredients, it looks beautiful on the plate and it is full of those zingy Asian flavours that compliment seafood so well.

This healthy and tasty vegetable and lentil potato pie is packed full of vitamins and every bit as hearty as a meat based cottage pie. Perfect for a family meat-free Monday meal.

This simple salad is well-balanced and completely delicious. Top tip: after placing lamb in preheated pan don't move it until it is well sealed (at least 3 minutes) as the water released when you move the lamb will make it stick to the pan.

The tamarind and honey work together in this dish to create a lovely sweet and sour flavour combination that compliments the delicate flavour of the prawns beautifully. Your dinner party guests will love it.

This lamb and apricot tagine with citrus couscous has so many of the characteristics we love; spicy, fragrant, savoury and sweet. The traditional lengthy cooking method ensures a depth of flavour and tender, juicy meat.

For a hearty healthy meal, try these fillet steaks with caramelised shallots and creamy mashed potatoes. For the very best mash, use lasoda, nicola or sebago potatoes.

Wrap fresh pita bread snugly around this delicious chicken kebab with garlic sauce. Add plenty of fresh salad and you have perfectly balanced meal, with limited washing up. Win.

If you're looking for the perfect quick and easy mid-week dinner, you've found it. Simple, tasty and ready in a flash, this asparagus, bacon and cheese pasta will become a go-to recipe.

Like a spaghetti pie with an eggplant, parmesan and breadcrumb crust, this Sicilian spaghetti is rich, earthy and very satisfying. Perfect for filling up on a cold evening or for lunch after a stiff weekend walk.

Stay cosy indoors this weekend with this hearty, slow-cooked beef casserole topped with dumplings. A side order of mash and greens completes the meal.

We've given a spin to this classic rending, cooking the lamb slowly until the coconut milk sauce thickens and is quite dry, the succulent meat becomes so tender it virtually falls apart.

Go upmarket with these juicy steak and aioli sandwiches, served on crusty grilled ciabatta with perfectly seasoned grilled tomatoes. Serve it with plenty of salad and you'll have a perfectly balanced and delicious meal.

Scoff your way through these delicious white wine and garlic mussels to find a tasty broth at the bottom. Keep the shell, still hinged, from the first mussel you eat and use this to remove the remaining mussels from their shells.

Keema is minced meat, usually beef or lamb, and is what is used for samosas. Our subtle yet fragrant version is fairly thick, more like a bolognese sauce than a wet curry, and can also be served as a filling rolled in a wrap.

Any white fish can be used for this chargrilled fish and vegetables recipe. An entire fish looks impressive on the plate, but you can also use smaller fillets. Either way you'll end up with a fresh, healthy and tasty result.

Put together this colourful and crispy balsamic-glazed vegetable platter at your next barbecue. The baby vegetables are beautifully sweet and they look wonderfully appetising.

This tagliatelle pasta with broccoli and anchovies is simple and delicious. Don't let the family be put off by the addition of anchovies, they leave no overwhelming fishy taste, just a delicious savoury flavour.

For shallow-frying, use enough oil to reach half-way up the food; cook the prawn until brown and crisp, then turn over and cook the other side. Their texture will contrast beautifully with the avocado.

Cold meatloaf makes a delicious sandwich filling on sourdough bread. Serve with melted cheese, mixed salad leaves and a chunky beetroot relish. This barbecue-glazed meatloaf also makes a good lunchbox addition just sliced cold and wrapped.

Agnolotti is a type of filled pasta, similar to ravioli but smaller. We've teamed a ricotta and spinach version with a creamy fennel sauce here for a perfectly hearty and easy meat-free meal.

The secret to our delicious lasagne is the pork and veal mince in the meat sauce, which gives it a balanced and rich flavour. The ricotta in our white sauce gives it an extra creaminess and lusciousness without the guilt.

There are countless versions of dhal, all equally healthy and delicious. Try our warming pumpkin and eggplant version for a hearty meat-free meal. Serve with Indian flatbread to mop up every bite.

This dish is a stand-out recipe, not just because it's quite spectacular, but because the taste of fish baked in a salt crust is incomparable. The perfect centrepiece for a celebratory meal.

This fragrant and fresh yellow fish curry is quick and easy to prepare. Firm, white fleshed fish like ling, blue-eye, trevally, coral trout, red emperor and mahi mahi have the perfect texture for this kind of recipe.

The seasoning mix on this spiced fish with lemon yogurt sauce sure packs a flavourful kick. We used perch here, but you could use any type of firm fish; ling, blue eye, or barramundi would work equally well.

Succulent and savoury, this Chinese-style braised oxtail has enough sauce to almost qualify as soup! Serve with a bowl of steamed rice, to soak up all that lovely sauce, and steamed Asian greens.

Impress your guests and feast on this succulent baked ham with redcurrant and balsamic glaze, from Christmas through to New Year. Store it in the fridge in a damp pillowcase while you work your way through it.

Give your family midweek meal with an exotic twist with this Moroccan lamb with couscous. The aromatic spices combined with a sprinkle of coriander just before serving give this dish its unique flavour.

Spiced with ginger, lemongrass, chillies and fish sauce, this Asian-style prawn soup is hot, savoury and delicious. Full of noodles, it makes a great weekend lunch dish, or a light dinner.

For something a little different, try our baked veal with potato pea mash. The cornflake crumb provides a delightful crunch to the tender meat, and the potato and pea combo is fresher alternative to the usual mash.

This slow roasted pork with fennel dish will fill your kitchen with the type of aroma that will have the hoards running to the dinner table. Any leftovers can be sliced and used for the kids' lunchbox sandwiches.

For a new take on deep-fried fish, try this crispy and delicious whiting tempura. Cut into smaller pieces for finger food and serve alongside the dipping sauce, or with a crisp salad as a main meal.

Duck is an excellent choice if you're looking for something a little different. It is a rich meat, but the orange sauce and snow-pea salad provide the perfect contrast. Using both the stove top and the oven will result in perfectly cooked breast with a lovely crisp skin.

Raita is a traditional condiment from the subcontinent commonly served alongside curries. The coolness of the raita ingredients compliments the spice beautifully. It can also be served on its own, as a dip.

Making your own pasta dough is incredibly satisfying and easier than you might think. You do need a pasta machine, but the investment is worthwhile; just one bite of freshly made pasta and you'll see why.