Dinner ideas

Try something different with this herby crumbed steak, ideal served with chunky potato fries and green salad.

We used semi-dried tomatoes, marinated artichokes, grilled eggplant and red capsicum for the antipasto mix; however, any combination of vegetables can be used. Note

The chilli and lime zest marinade add heat to the baby octopus and help tenderise the meat, the chilli and lime dressing adds depth to the flavour of the dish.

Recipe is not suitable to freeze. Food referred to as “à la bourguignon” is food cooked in the style of the famous French wine region of Burgundy, and is instantly recognisable by its red wine sauce containing mushrooms, bacon and onions. While most of us are familiar with the classic boeuf (beef ) bourguignon, lamb […]

Butter beans are also known as lima beans; you can use cannellini or similar white beans. Note

We've used salmon for this recipe, but tarragon compliments seafood beautifully. You could use tuna, flathead, ling, trout or any firm fleshed fish.

This is a quick and easy rendition of a traditional Sicilian involtini, slow-cooked meat rolls filled with vegetables served in a rich tomato sauce.

A smooth, savoury soup delicately seasoned with fresh chervil, cream of asparagus soup is silky and delicious.

Not suitable to microwave. Not suitable to freeze. Note

Succulent chicken breasts stuffed with ricotta and basil make a wonderful dinner party dish. Using a piping bag to fill the pockets with stuffing will make it easier.

This dish is the epitome of simple cooking. Perfect for a weeknight throw-together meal.

A meat-free meal to feast on, these spicy Mexican beans with cornbread and avocado salsa are delicious.

If you prefer your soup spicy, you can add one finely chopped fresh red chilli or a teaspoon of dried red chilli to this recipe.

The simple, clean flavours of this seared snapper with ginger and soy are uplifting.

Bring Paris into your kitchen with this classic French bistro version of steak and chips (pommes frites): a tender piece of beef, grilled to perfection, served with freshly made skinny fries, twice cooked to crispy goodness.

This gnocchi dough is very soft, so you’ll need an extra ½ cup of plain (all-purpose) flour for the board when kneading and rolling to prevent it from sticking. Note

This colourful pasta salad is easy, delicious and great for the lunchbox.

An Asian-style spicy, sweet and sour green papaya salad topped with crunchy peanuts.

Tender lamb wrapped in banana leaf with a fresh and fragrant Thai salad.

Tandoori is a classic Indian spice and yoghurt recipe with a distinctive and robust flavour. The name comes from the type of clay oven, a tandoor, in which the dish is traditionally prepared. You can prepare your own tandoori, but if you're short on time, the store bought versions are excellent.

This surprisingly easy weekday lunch uses both canned tuna and bottled artichokes to save you time and hassle.

The food of Thailand takes first prize in the popularity stakes these days and no wonder: quick and easy to prepare, delicious recipes such as this are every cook's dream

Holy basil, also known as kra pao or hot basil. If you can’t find it, use ordinary sweet basil instead. Snake beans are long, thin green beans that are Asian in origin, use green beans if unavailable. Note

Impress your dinner guests with this deliciously tender braised pork with pancetta and fennel.

The pancetta, stock and olives are already quite salty, so you should not need to add extra salt to this dish. Note

Ossobuco is a Milanese speciality of veal shanks braised with vegetables and white wine topped with a polenta crust.

A fresh and light Thai chicken noodle salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

Try these tender, flaky salmon fillets drizzled with golden lemon butter for a deliciously satisfying meal. Perfect with creamy mashed potatoes.

Few soups pack the punchy flavour of a delicious savoury miso. Yellow miso (shinshu), is a smooth, deep-yellow, fairly salty, tart, fermented soya bean paste. Teamed with tofu and spinach it makes a delicious, fresh and healthy broth.

Traditionally harira is a Moroccan soup of lamb, vegetables and pulses, popularly served to break the fast of Ramadan.

You can use fresh plums when in season. Note

Fast and furious, this healthy seafood stir-fry is ready to eat in no time at all.

A fresh and bright apple and seed slaw with macadamia dressing; the perfect summer salad.

Balmain bugs are similar to scampi in size and flavour, they are lovely simply grilled and used here in a salad.

Yellow dhal with spinach is a fragrant and delicious north Indian comfort curry.

This simple dish of lamb with green beans is a perfect fast and flavoursome mid-week dinner recipe.

Slow-cooked in jerk seasoning, these drumsticks are tender and delicious, gorgeous as a starter or to hand around at a party.

To freeze Complete recipe up to to “Brush pastry edges with egg, top pies with small pastry rounds, pressing edges to seal”. Wrap each pie in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of foil. Label, date and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced). Place […]

A very quick and easy Japanese teriyaki chicken with noodles from the shopping bag to your dinner table in 20 minutes. Vary the chilli to suit your spice threshold. Leave it out all together, if you like.

Delicious, fragrant and finger-lickin' good Thai chicken patties with pesto.

Meatloaf is good served hot, warm or cold – serve it as a meal with mash and green vegies or a salad. Cold meatloaf makes a great sandwich filling. Meatloaf doesn’t freeze well. Note

You can use 2 teaspoons dried oregano instead of the fresh if you prefer or if fresh is unavailable. Avocado salad, coombine 1 coarsely chopped large avocado, 125g (4 ounces) halved yellow grape tomatoes, 1 thinly sliced small red onion, 1 finely chopped fresh long red chilli and . cup loosely packed coriander leaves (cilantro) […]

A zesty lemon risotto from Australian Women's Weekly.

For a slightly different take on the classic Italian lasagne recipe, often served with a rich beef bolognese sauce, this dish uses ground chicken, hearty mushrooms and fibre-packed zucchini. It's a great way to sneak more vegies into your kids diet!

Aromatic and delicious red Thai curry from Australian Women's Weekly.

A super fast sausage stir-fry that is savoury, slightly peppery, but completely delicious.

If you love seafood, you'll adore these plump, juicy prawns and scallops stir-fried with chilli jam and served on a bed of steamed rice.

For nicely crisped potatoes, heat the oven tray before adding the potatoes. Note

Quick, easy and delicious, this beef and pepper dish is a great supper for busy nights.

Best made close to serving. Note

Sticky, spicy and delicious chilli and honey-glazed loin with mee goreng.

Bucatini pasta with baked ricotta from Australian Women's Weekly.

Kumara turns brown when cut so it’s best to grate it just before you use it. If you have a scratch-free non-stick pan, you won’t need to line it with baking paper. Note

Add another ½ cup milk if making several hours ahead, as the sauce will thicken on standing. From cold, bake, covered, at 200°C/400°F for 30 minutes or until heated through then uncover and bake for a further 10 minutes or until browned. Note

Pak choy is a member of the same family as bok choy with the same mild flavour.

This light garden salad of an exotic mix of herbs and crisp vegetables perfectly matches a hearty meal.

Topped with juicy roasted tomato, these easy toasties make a divine brunch, lunch or lazy mid-week dinner.

This fragrant broth does take some preparation time, but it is well worth the effort. It is an absolutely flawless soup dish.

Soft shell crab is a real delicacy, and works equally well as a starter, a main or as part of an Asian-style banquet.

Dhansak is an Indian adaptation of a famous Parsi festive dish always consisting of several types of pulses and vegetables and served with rice.

Colourful heirloom carrots, in hues of purple, taste the same as their orange cousins, and were in fact the norm until the Dutch developed the modern-day orange version in the 17th century. They taste and look fantastic in this stunning salad.

Fragrant lemongrass lamb with an exquisitely fresh Vietnamese vermicelli salad.

A truly Italian pasta bake of chicken and broad bean rigatoni.

These tapas-style snacks make for the perfect Mexican party nibbles.

The combination of juicy citrus, spices, herbs and pistachio is irresistible in this easy chicken dish. Delicious served with warm flatbread.

The evidence is in; tuna is excellent for your heart and brain function. Luckily it also tastes great, especially when accompanied by this wonderful basil pesto and smashed potatoes.

Barbecued corn, broad beans and capsicum from Australian Women's Weekly.

A simple and yet splendid meal to serve up to guests at a dinner party. A bowl of aioli on the table will help finish the meal beautifully.

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Did you know? A weekly intake of 2-3 fish meals is recommended to ensure that essential omega-3 fats are sufficient in the diet. The average intake for 12-18 year olds is around 200mg of omega-3 per day, which is less than half recommended levels. Fish is a terrific source of nutrition for growing bodies, and […]