Dinner ideas

Squid can be swapped for prawns or chicken. Note

Vongole (clams) will need to soak in salted water for 30 minutes before starting this recipe. Fast-cooking clams are packed with a good dose of iron, B vitamins and the mineral chronium, which the body needs to regulate blood glucose levels. Note

You need to buy half a large barbecued chicken (450g) to get the amount of shredded meat required for this recipe. Note

to freeze Complete recipe to the end of step 3. Cool sauce to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container. Label, date and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in a saucepan and continue from step 4. Stir in ⅓ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves just before serving, […]

Croutons can be prepared a day ahead. Keep in an airtight container. Prawns can be shelled several hours ahead and kept covered in refrigerator. Prepare salad as required. Note

We’ve used penne pasta in this recipe, but feel free to use spaghetti, if you prefer. Stir in ⅓ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves just before serving, if you like. Note

A Kashmiri speciality using only the most tender young lamb available from this mountainous province in north India. “This is winter comfort food for me. I like to make it on a weekend to eat through the week.” Sophia Young was a New York-trained chef before she began in the Test Kitchen in 1993. She […]

This is Vietnam’s famous beef noodle soup. Note

Delicious little French confectioneries that literally mean 'small oven'.

The perfect summer lamb dish for cooking on the backyard barbecue.

Pepato is an Italian sheep’s milk cheese, most often pecorino, studded with peppercorns. It is available from some delicatessens and specialty cheese shops. If you can’t find it, use pecorino or parmesan cheese with a good grinding of black pepper. Note

These slow-roasted beef shanks will melt in your mouth.

Spinach, capsicum and feta pizza

This soup is great for lunch at the office or for a picnic. If a microwave is not available for reheating the soup, pack it in a preheated insulated flask. Note

Healthy, delicious and authentic Asian-style chicken and water chestnut tofu pouches.

These pork rolls are a tasty starter before a main course of fried rice or a bowl of chicken broth with rice noodles.

In a pressure cooker these sticky and saucy pork spare ribs can be whipped up in no time.

To test if turkey is cooked, insert a skewer sideways into the thickest part of the thigh then remove and press flesh to release the juices. If the juice runs clear, the turkey is cooked. Alternatively, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, without touching bone; it should reach 90°C. This […]

These crispy Moroccan-style sweet potato fries are the perfect side dish.

Thai sticky rice (also known as glutinous' or sweet' rice) is a short, fat and chalky white rice that becomes soft and sticky once cooked.

Each of the topping recipes here makes enough to cover four mini pizza bases. You can buy prepared pizza bases from the supermarket, they can be found in the refrigerated, freezer or bakery sections. Note

Make the sauce a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Beans are an Italian staple and are often served with spaghetti in the same dish. Note

A light and summery salad with sweet and spicy margarita-infused pork chops.

A rich, warming and filling slowcooked Italian beef casserole from Australian Women's Weekly.

Tender spiced lamb with a fruity couscous packed full of oranges, dates and walnuts.

This curried beef and lentil dish is simple, spicy and so easy to make.

Canned green peppercorns are the soft, un-ripe peppercorn berry preserved in brine and sold in cans. It has a flavour that’s less pungent than the berry in its other forms. Note

A healthy and delicious spinach and chorizo salad that is packed full of flavour.

Our Chinese-style pancakes are packed with an easy mu shu pork filling for a flavoursome lunch or dinner idea - they're savoury pancakes at their tastiest!

Recipe is suitable to freeze without the parsley. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan and sprinkle with parsley to serve. Note

Barbecued duck and peking duck pancakes can be bought at Asian food shops. Note

Ask the butcher for a 2-metre (6½-foot) length of unlinked sausages. Alternatively, you can unlink a length of sausages and use short lengths together to form the spiral. If your barbecue doesn’t include a flat plate, cook the capsicum mixture in a heavy-based frying pan on the barbecue. Note

To make cheesy polenta; bring the water to the boil in large saucepan; gradually stir in polenta. Reduce heat; cook, stirring, about 10 minutes or until polenta thickens. Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Stand 3 minutes before serving. Note

A warming and delicious spicy prawn and bean hotpot from Australian Women's Weekly.

There are some great gluten-free wraps and pizza bases available at supermarkets; to save time use these for the pizza base. Note

These char-grilled vegetables are healthy, delicious and pack a real spicy punch.

This rich combination of spices cooked in coconut cream is classic Malaysian cooking, combining the country’s Indian and Straits-Chinese influences. This recipe uses black mustard seeds (sometimes sold as brown mustard seeds), which are more pungent than the white (or yellow) seeds used in most prepared mustards. Not suitable to freeze. Note

This hearty roasted pumpkin and tomato soup is a fantastic warming winter dish.

Use a vegetable peeler to cut the cucumber into ribbons. If taking the salad to work for lunch, keep the dressing separate until ready to serve. Note

Lebanese bread can be substituted for prepared pizza base. Note

Delicious and comforting steamed sweet chilli prawn dumplings from Australian Women's Weekly.

Gorgeously sweet orange and maple glazed baby carrots. The perfect accompaniment for your next dinner party.

Make your own version of the popular Asian-style satay chicken starter dish to impress your family and friends.

Harissa is a fiery Moroccan sauce or paste made from dried chillies, cumin, garlic, oil and caraway seeds.

Lasoda or sebago potatoes can be used for this recipe. Potato flour can be used in place of wheat flour for a gluten-free version; make sure to use a gluten- free chicken stock as well. Note

Basil can be substituted for parsley. Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Creamy pumpkin and bitey feta make this simple pizza an easy meal with loads of flavour.

Delicious little burgers with grilled beef sausages and a crunchy slaw.

Naples is widely credited as the birthplace of pizza, where it was originally sold to the city’s poor by street vendors. The world’s first pizzeria was opened there in 1830 and is still in operation today. The beauty of the napoletana pizza lies in its simplicity. We recommend using only the best and freshest ingredients […]

You could use beef sirloin or rib eye (scotch fillet) instead of the rump steak. Sukiyaki beef is available fresh and frozen from Asian grocery stores and selected supermarkets. A traditional sukiyaki pan is available from Japanese stores. Note

Bring the Med to your home with these scrumptious lamb meatballs and a garlicky white bean dip.

Super fast and easy Asian beef stir-fry topped with crunchy sesame seeds.

Pink and yellow oyster mushrooms are available at selected farmers’ markets, grocery stores and online. Choose mushrooms as described by variety. Avoid slimy looking caps and those that look shrivelled. Store mushrooms as described by variety, otherwise, store in a paper or calico bag in the refrigerator. They generally last for up to 3 days […]

Chicken, chorizo, tomato and saffron come together in this delicious Spanish pie.

The lamb will be easier to cut if you freeze it for about 20 minutes before slicing. Note

If you don’t have a large enough oven tray to fit the salmon, ask the fishmonger to remove the head of the salmon for you. Salmon can also be cooked on a covered barbecue. Note