Quick & Easy

Take yourself back to those weekends with your grandmother with this light, fluffy sponge cake complete with delectable strawberries in cream.

Tina's sponge cake

This prize-winning sponge cake is featherlight and has the perfect texture for a classic sponge. Best served with lashings of whipped cream and the jam of your choice.

Sieve the dry ingredients through at least three or more times. It’s best if to use eggs that are a couple of days old to make this sponge cake. Use eggs that are at room temperature. Note

Fluffy sponge cake topped with all the indulgent joys of strawberries and cream. This one's bound to be a huge hit with the kids.

Janet's sponge cake

Master the art of the classic sponge cake with this delicious version sandwiched with whipped cream and passionfruit butter.

Switch out maple syrup for our chocolate butter for a creative, delicious topping for your pancakes.

Creamy parfait and the zesty salad come together to showcase an iconic flavour pairing of the culinary world - chocolate and orange.

You'll have most of the ingredients for this simple yet scrumptious dessert in your fridge or pantry using in-season​ pears.

What could possibly be more Australian than this beer damper? You'll be surprised at the subtle yet delicious flavour your best ale will create in this traditional bread.

These cheesy lentil pies will satisfy your meat-free cravings while packing a flavourful punch. Full of protein and vegetable goodness, they're also perfect for little hands.

Some traditional clafoutis recipes call for non-pitted cherries; they are said to release a subtle flavour. Women's Weekly hate to disappoint your dentist, but suggest you use the pitted kind.

If preferred, buy ready-prepared chicken schnitzel and cover, freeze and cook it as required. Note

Try adding a splash of soy sauce just before serving. Note

For a delicious snack, make arancini balls: shape leftover risotto into walnut-sized balls, dip in whisked egg and coat in breadcrumbs, then shallow fry. Note

Refrigerate your rice overnight before cooking, use the biggest pan you have and pre-heat it well. That will ensure this Chinese fried rice is cooked to perfection.

These choc-chip cupcakes by Women's Day are everything you could possibly want in such a treat. They're light, fluffy, sweetly studded with white and milk chocolate, and delicious.

For ease, try using cooking oil spray to grease ramekins. You can add 1/4 cup chopped pecans to the mixture in step 3, if you like. Note

Corned beef served with potato bake is already pretty great - but just wait until you try them together!

Be careful not to overheat the avocado as it may change colour or lose its shape. Note

Enjoy the delicious flavour and texture of this crispy chilli fish by Woman's Day. Served on a bed of steamed rice and seasoned with Asian flavours, it's a brilliant mid-week meal.

The dressing can be added before chilling the salad. Toss noodles through just before serving. Note

These light, fluffy scones have the added sweetness of dates. They are perfect for a morning or afternoon snack.

These beautiful scones are packed full of sweet dates, bananas and walnuts. They're perfect for the kids lunches, or served warm with with cream at any afternoon tea.

If you have a thermometer, oil should be 180°C. Be sure to remove any random bones. Note

Sliced fresh chilli can be used instead of dried flakes. If liked, stir 1/4 cup cream though mixture. Note

To remove veins from prawns, remove heads and “hook” out the vein (dark spot where head is removed) with the tip of a knife or toothpick – pull gently. Note

To roast tomatoes, arrange cherry tomatoes in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season to taste. Roast in a moderate oven, 180°C, for 15-20 minutes, until they begin to collapse. Note

This stir-fry also works well with leftover cooked chicken thigh or pork fillet. You can buy barbecued ducks from Asian supermarkets – or some good supermarkets. If unavailable, you can use barbecued chicken, though the flavour will be different. Note

A carefully applied cookie cutter will ensure these dainty pink and white themed honey biscuits are perfectly symmetrical. Enjoy them with your afternoon cuppa.

These light and fluffy muffins are naturally sweetened with dried sultanas, making them a perfect healthy lunchbox snack for school and work.

The only thing better than Kingston biscuits are homemade ones. These chewy coconut morsels filled with chocolate ganache go perfectly with a cuppa.

The classic Slovenian style sausage is at its best when char-grilled and smothered in freshly made sauerkraut. You'll love these kransky hot dogs on fresh, crispy rolls.

Test by spooning 1 teaspoon of marmalade onto a cold plate. Push with your fingertip and if it wrinkles it is ready. If not, continue boiling until setting point is reached. Alternatively, if setting is taking too long, it may be that the fruit is slightly over or under- ripe, affecting the amount of pectin […]

To make a light, fluffy teacake, it is important to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly, until mixture is as light and white as possible. Note

Packing a classic savoury Japanese punch, this warming and nourishing miso udon soup by Woman's Day is head and shoulders above any other 'just add hot water' concoctions you can buy.

There’s no need to wash mushrooms beforehand – simply wipe them with a wet paper towel. Note

This quiche freezes well. You can also use homemade shortcrust pastry. Delicious with some added char-grilled capsicum or caramelised onion. Note

The 'spice' referred to in this spicy beef pilaf is not chilli, rather it is the combination of traditional aromatics that are used to create this wonderful, fragrant dish.

Unfilled sponge suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

These sweet quince and rosewater tarts are absolutely beautiful enjoyed with a mug of hot tea for an indulgent afternoon or morning tea.

Sweet, rich and utterly decadent, these gorgeous desserts are packed full of fresh dates and are beautiful enjoyed warm with a dollop of fresh cream or ice-cream.

Taste the dressing before serving to ensure it is a perfect balance of hot, sour, sweet and salty. If it is too hot, add extra lime juice and sugar. If desired, you could a little crushed peanut brittle or bean sprouts for extra crunch and sweetness. Note

If liked, add some crumbled feta cheese and chopped semi-dried tomatoes. Note

Don't be fooled by the list of simple ingredients. This dip never fails to be a winner. Serve with a crusty, sliced baguette, or crispy corn chips and watch it disappear.

The perfect example of classic French bistro-style food; ham and cheese, sandwiched between tender veal, then crumbed and fried to perfection.

Protein packed and full of flavour, this vegetable slice makes the perfect, light lunch. If you're partial to a bit of fire, sprinkle on some tabasco before serving.

Crispy, salty and filling, these delicious bacon and potato fritters make a tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner dish, especially when topped with a dollop of sour cream, fresh herbs and runny poached eggs.

You can top with sliced strawberries or any other fruit of your choice. Makes 8 Note

Drizzled with sweet, lemony icing, this gluten-free cake is moist and delicious. It's also incredibly versatile; check out the tips section for the nut-free version.

This beautiful beetroot and roasted pumpkin salad is filling enough to enjoy as a healthy vegetarian dinner, or served alongside some freshly grilled lamb. You can take any leftovers to work or school, too.

This light, flaky golden croissant is beautiful stuffed with fresh ham, eggs and oozy melted cheese to create the perfect lazy weekend breakfast or brunch.

Wombok, or chinese cabbage, is identified by its elongated shape and overlapping leaves. It has a mild flavour and a wonderful crunch, perfect for stir-fries and salads. Note

Makes 20 Note

Makes 4 When mangoes are no longer in season, you can make these tarts with other fruits including apple, pear, fig, peach, apricot and nectarines. Note

Individual apple and raspberry crumbles are a tartly delicious winter dessert, best served with lashings of cream or ice-cream.

These pretty little tomato and rocket tarts are a great vegetarian option for a platter of finger food. Rocket can be replaced with baby spinach. Add some baby basil leaves just before serving, if you like.

A classic Australian pub dish, the combination of golden crumbed chicken, eggplant and oozy cheese is unbeatable for a delicious lunch or dinner.

To prepare pappadums quickly and easily, spray with oil and arrange on the turntable of your microwave oven. Cook on high (100%) power 1 minute, until puffed and crisp. Cool before serving. Note

To prepare hokkien noodles, loosen slightly and place in a large heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water. Set aside 2-3 minutes, stirring with a fork to separate noodles. Note

This moreish slice is perfect for morning tea with a hot cuppa or as a delicious treat for the kids after school. They'll gobble it up!

You can have a batch of these delicious scones on the table in around 20 minutes. Serve them warm with jam and cream for morning or afternoon tea.

We used a mixture of cooked prawns, cooked flaked salmon and marinated mussel meat for this cold seafood salad. You could also used smoked or canned salmon.

Micro herbs can be found at specialist grocery stores, or some supermarkets. If you can’t find micro herbs, simply replace with chopped chives. Note

Try a variation using dried cherries and dark chocolate. Note

For added flavour, add a squeeze of lemon juice to your seafood pasta. Hot-smoked salmon steaks are available in the ready-to-eat section of the supermarket fridge. Note

Hot, perfectly cooked mussels are beautiful simmered in a creamy, fragrant tomato and chill sauce. Enjoy them straight out of the pot with a glass of wine.

If preferred, you can replace lemon with orange or lime. Note

A classic Australian combination, experience the taste of your favourite pub meal at home with this deliciously tender fillet steak, topped with a creamy mushroom sauce and served with crisp potatoes.

Some believe florentines to be an Italian creation. They're actually French. Wherever their origin, this recipe is just the ticket. Now will someone pop the kettle on?

Fill the whole family up with this satisfying vegetarian soup. Serve immediately with some crunchy bread or pop it in the freezer to enjoy for lunch throughout the week.

If you're looking for a warm, comforting winter meal you will certainly enjoy this seafood soup.

Escape those Winter blues with this filling laksa, bursting with spicy flavours, vegetables and juicy prawns.

This savoury and deeply tasty pork sausage risotto can be whipped up in a flash with this pressure cooker recipe. No need to stand around stirring, just get the dish underway and relax.

Straddling the two worlds of cake and pie, this warm and gooey dessert is best served with fruits and cream.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. For an additional flavour twist, top eggs with a spoonful of black olive tapenade, green tomato relish or thinly sliced prosciutto. Note

Take the classic cream sauce up a notch with whole green peppercorns that gives an exciting edge to your steak meal.