Dinner ideas

Borlotti beans are also known as cannellini beans, but they're actually a paler, plumper variety of the humble kidney bean. This tomato and borlotti bean soup makes a nourishing lunch or dinner.

Simple, quick and savoury, this zucchini cream soup makes a great lunch or starter. The smoothest consistency for this soup can be achieved by using a blender, stab mixer or mouli.

There's nothing like a bowl of proper, hearty soup on a cold day and this tomato and chorizo soup has all the warming power you're looking for.

Pilaf is a dish that is common to many parts of the world, even if cooked under a different name. It's basically rice cooked in broth or stock, then seasoned, spice and added to. Basmati is the best variety of rice for this Indian chicken pilaf.

Freshly grated zest and fresh thyme perfume this light and tasty turkey and lemon risotto. If you prefer, you can use chicken breasts in place of the turkey.

Just five ingredients make this salami and rocket pizza, making it perfect when you need dinner in a hurry. If you like your pizza spicy, use a salami with chilli in it for extra bite.

Quick, tasty and packed full of goodness, this fragrant Asian seafood stir-fry is perfect for a weeknight lunch or dinner. You can use whatever combination of seafood you prefer, or even buy a ready mixed selection.

This fragrant Malay chicken curry is spice, but the coconut cream takes the edge off the bite. If you can't source kaffir lime leaves, use 2 tablespoons of grated lime zest instead.

Tender lamb cutlets are just fabulous with baby beetroot and a dollop tzatziki. You can boil, steam or roast the baby beets, but roasting them brings out the flavour best.

Is your family sick of meat and veg? Try this easy, delicious new recipe for Thai beef with noodles. Fresh, fragrant and full of crunch and flavour.

Beef in Chinese recipes is generally cut into very fine slices. Put the beef into the freezer for 30 minutes to make slicing easy. Note

The eggplant can be brushed with 1 tablespoon olive oil and cooked under the grill, if you prefer. Beef mince can be used in place of the lamb mince. Note

An exquisite Mediterranean variation of a classic beef steak stuffed with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and bocconcini.

Some butchers sell a pork and veal mince mixture. If it is not available as a mixture, buy 500g pork mince and 500g veal or beef mince. This recipe can be prepared 8 hours ahead to the end of step 6. It is best to cook the meatloaf just before serving so it retains its […]

Packed full of flavour and zesty Moroccan spices, this creamy tuna and tomato wrap is perfect for a tasty work lunch that'll leave you totally satisfied.

It’s a good idea to slash the skin in a few places to allow the marinade to penetrate the meat. Add ½ cup mixed citrus juice to marinade if liked. Note

Caramelised onion, also called onion jam, is available in jars from large supermarkets and delicatessens. Note

Delicious, fragrant and herbaceous Vietnamese-style pork rolls from Australian Women's Weekly.

Jalapeño chillies are found in jars, sliced and pickled in brine, in the condiment or Mexican food aisle in most supermarkets. They are quite hot. Note

Delicious grilled margarita chicken that is fresh and zesty with a kick of tequila.

This sauce can be frozen for 3 months. Note

Use your preference of bottled pasta cheese sauce in this recipe. Note

This deliciously tender roast goose recipe is stuffed with a pisatchio and fig stuffing, perfectly balancing sweet and nutty. It's the perfect meal for a special occasion like Christmas.

Labne is a soft cheese originating from the Middle-East. It’s made from strained yogurt, and is available from major supermarkets and Middle-Eastern food shops. Note

Try canned salmon with a little lemon juice in place of mushrooms. For a healthier version, replace cream with low-fat evaporated milk. To thicken, blend 1 teaspoon cornflour with 1 tablespoon evaporated milk and stir slowly into remaining milk. Note

Substitute cashews for pistachios if you like. Also goes well with pan-fried white fish fillets; grilled beef fillets. Deglazing is the initial step in making a sauce that incorporates the browned bits sticking to the bottom of a pan in which meat has been cooked. A small amount of liquid is added to any remaining […]

There are more than 40 varieties of the paprika pepper grown in Turkey, Hungary, Iran and Spain, but the differences among them are very subtle.

Peppered beef

Orange blossom water, also known as orange flower water, is available from specialty food stores, delicatessens and some health food stores. Note

It's a chicken casserole like no other; big flavours from mustard, thyme, and white wine define this dish.

With only five ingredients, all purchased easily from a supermarket, this sophisticated version of the classic bacon and egg pie is the perfect fuss-free midweek dinner. Note

Meaning ‘salted pork with lentils’, in French, this hearty, rustic-style dish is a specialty of France’s Auvergne region. Toulouse is a small French sausage made of coarsely diced pork and flavoured with wine, garlic and various seasonings. It is available from speciality butchers. You can also use thick pork sausages. Taste before adding any salt […]

Yummy Mexican wraps with tender spiced beef strips, chilli beans, shredded lettuce and coriander.

A perfect grilled porterhouse steak atop a pile of creamy blue cheese mash served with delicious caramelised red onions.

Delicious roast chicken, just like your grandmother used to make it.

You will need about 2 limes for this recipe. Note

With a dash of mustard, this flavourful pork makes for the perfect sandwich filling.

Grilled swordfish with a tangy and delicious olive paste from Australian Women's Weekly.

These maple-glazed vegetables are the perfect accompaniment to any roast dinner.

You can use other fish of your choice. Mirin is found in the Asian section of your supermarket. You can use sweet sherry as a substitute. Note

A simple yet rich and delicious Thai-style red chicken curry from Australian Women's Weekly.

A simple, crunchy and flavourful sweet chilli chicken salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

Slowcooked Moroccan-style vegetables that will melt in your mouth.

Place pretzels in a zip-lock plastic bag; crush roughly with a rolling pin. Combine pretzels with butter and cheeses in a medium bowl. You can make the candied bacon a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Turn the traditional vegetable stew into a tasty soup and elevate it with a fresh basil pistou.

This recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

This dish is the perfect summer curry. Not too rich but packed to the brim with flavour. You'll be going back for seconds every time.

Risoni is a small pasta shaped like a grain of rice. You can substitute any small pasta in this recipe. Note

Gluten-free bread mixes are available in plain and wholegrain, we used plain in this recipe. Note

To spoon the thick cream layer off the top of the coconut cream, don’t shake the can as the thick cream will separate from the liquid underneath. If you shake it, you have to wait until the liquid settles into layers again. Note

A very quick and easy family meal with sweet and sticky maple pork sausages.

Skordalia is a thick dip in Greek cuisine usually made of garlic and potatoes.

Use regular beef mince, not lean, for a nice, juicy patty. Note

While this recipe is geared for autumn, you can swap ingredients for the seasons; in spring, use broad beans instead of borlotti beans and bitter salad greens instead of radicchio.

Serve risotto quickly after stirring the radicchio through the rice, as the radicchio will discolour from the heat. This recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

Vindaloo curry paste can be made up to a week ahead and kept, covered tightly, in the refrigerator. Making this dish a day ahead helps intensify the flavours. Note

A bold and hearty stew that celebrates the warmth of fresh spices and tender beef cheeks. This winter staple is best made in an electric pressure cooker which significantly cuts down on the cooking time.