Burgers can be prepared 3 hours ahead and refrigerated, covered. Note

Once upon a time, your grandmother made a thrifty bread pudding with leftover bread, and some basic store items. This chocolate pecan bread pudding is something quite, quite different.

This warm prawn and noodle salad, enlivened with lemon, garlic and mint, makes a wonderful dish for a luncheon.

These Middle Eastern biscuits are perfumed with orange flower water.

This salad is simple and delicious with warm slices of haloumi cheese, wedges of avocado, asparagus and a zingy chive dressing.

Serve with crusty bread. Note

Deliciously saucy and packed full of authentic Asian flavours, these char siu and orange spiced beef ribs are perfect to serve your family or friends at a dinner party. Plus, they're made in the pressure-cooker to save you lots of time!

This tasty pizza is ready within minutes and perfect for the whole family.

Tasty, salty prosciutto wrapped around the fish helps seal the juices inside and capers add a vinegary bite to the finished dish.

Healthy and filling turkey chilli con carne filled kumara from Australian Women's Weekly.

Radicchio has a bold, somewhat bitter taste that comes into its own when contrasted with more subtle flavours. This is a simple salad, but an elegant one.

This omelette is called a "Western" in most states east of the Mississippi River and a "Denver" in the western half of the United States.

Fettuccine comes from the Italian word `fettucina’, meaning ribbon, because of its long, narrow shape. It goes especially well with creamy sauces; you can replace it with tagliatelle or other large egg noodles, if desired. Fresh pasta cooks even faster than dried pasta; you can find fresh pasta in most supermarkets in the refrigerated section. […]

This chutney is an excellent accompaniment to cheese or cold meats, and is also delicious served with a curry.

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

This potato, onion and herb pie makes a nice change from more meatier versions. It is delicious either hot or cold.

Perfect as part of a spread of shared starters or just as a snack, this garlic toast with feta and olive dip is also quick and easy to make.

Be aware that chapatis need to be cooked over a flame to achieve the blistered appearance. Note

You can substitute potato or pumpkin for the kumara, or use a combination of all three ­ it will be just as delicious. Triangles can be made a day ahead to the end of step 3, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Note

This fresh and fragrant Vietnamese beef salad is perfect for a light and low-carb lunch or dinner. For best results, marinate the beef for at least 30 minutes.

Swap chicken stock for vegetable stock. Note

Crispy grilled chicken with coriander and chilli; a flavour-packed Asian-style meat dish.

Easy and healthy, this chicken stir-fry is perfect for a mid-week dinner.

Recipe is best prepared as required. Note

This lip-smacking shellfish dish is perfect for a special occasion.

Tofu, also known as bean curd, is made from crushed soya beans. It's fairly mild flavour is enhanced by the vegetables and sauce.

Use barbecued chicken breast with the skin removed, leftover roast chicken, or pan-fried or poached chicken breasts. If making ahead of time, don’t dress the salad until ready to serve. We used a fat-free french vinaigrette, but dress the salad with your favourite fat-free dressing. Note

Banana, chocolate and crushed peanuts taste fantastic together in this easy frozen dessert.

The sweetness of the dates and the sourness of the tamarind combine to give you wonderful for a sandwich or burger condiment. It is packed full of flavour and spice to create a real taste sensation.

A study in contrasts with crunchy rösti and tender prawns, mild potato and piquant aïoli, these stacks make a spectacular brunch dish or starter when entertaining.

Sherry vinegar is available in some supermarkets; if unavailable, substitute red or white wine vinegar. Note

Studded with pistachios, pomegranate seeds and raspberries, this deconstructed dessert is perfect for an elegant dinner party.

You can use any cut of chicken you wish in this lemongrass chicken recipe. Lovely legs are trimmed, skinned chicken drumsticks but full drumsticks and thighs work beautifully too.

You'll be seriously popular after you serve up these hot little banana, chocolate and peanut butter turnovers.

Trotters with ginger is an old traditional Cantonese recipe created for mothers after birth.

An exquisite dish of chicken confit with spinach and pan jus from Australian Women's Weekly.

The beauty of freeform tarts is that they're incredibly easy to throw together, and taste every bit as delicious as a perfectly primped example.

Give your usual fish pies a sophisticated variation with this smoked fish version. They can go straight from the oven to the table in pretty individual dishes and make a lovely dinner party main meal.

These freeform hand-made sushi rolls are easy to make and look spectacular. They are perfect as a starter or for a share platter at a party.

Self-saucing puddings are quite magical really, and the best thing of all is that they’re complete when they come out of the oven. You only need a scoop of ice- cream, custard or cream for serving. Always let the pudding stand for at least 5 minutes before serving. Note

Dust with a little extra sifted icing sugar. Note

Be careful when taking the pumpkin out of the microwave as the bowl will be very hot. Note

A dish that looks wonderful doesn't need to be difficult, as is shown by this mushroom tart recipe.

Use kitchen scissors to cut nori into fine strips. Recipe not suitable to freeze. Note

This spiced lentil and roasted kumara soup is just the ticket for those times when you're after a light, meat-free meal full of vitamins and flavour. Serve with crusty bread.

Full of hazelnuts, walnuts and cherries, this easy fridge slice makes a decadent treat with tea or coffee.

For a simple seafood starter, this dish is one to have in the repertoire. It is so easy to make and tastes great.

Lamb can be prepared and refrigerated the day before, but is best cooked on the morning of the picnic. Fill the pittas as close to departure time as possible. Baba ghanoush is a roasted eggplant (aubergine) dip or spread. It is available from delicatessens and most supermarkets. Note

Ditch the stodgy cafeteria food for this perfect lunch box staple that's simple, quick and absolutely fool-proof.

You can use one quantity basic shortcrust pastry instead of the store-bought pastry sheets. Note

Try this fragrant, easy chicken stir-fry with jasmine rice and a squeeze of lime.

A perfect and fun ten soda and pizza cake for you child's birthday party.

A flavour-packed Asian broth with crispy duck and mushrooms from Australian Women's Weekly.

This recipe stays true to the dish's Mexican origins. It is an exciting dish, and full of flavour.

Simple yet special, the ideal dish to serve up to friends when you're celebrating in a relaxed style.

Juggling is so much fun, people have been doing it since ancient Egyptian times. This delightful fellow is constructed from lots of little cakes, so it's simple to make and easy to decorate.

Rigatoni is a ridged pasta that looks like thick, short penne, its grooves and wide centre help hold chunky sauces. Note

This is one of my all-time favourite pastas. I know it looks like a lot of anchovies, but trust me and cook them down slowly. This could well become your favourite pasta, too.

Pappardelle with silver beet, goat's cheese, chilli and lemon

This dish was on the first menu at our restaurant Hugo's, at Bondi, and it actually stayed on the menu for years, as it turned out to be one of our best-sellers. It's a recipe that goes to prove that good food does not have to cost an arm or a leg.

Fresh warm scones with jam and double cream are one of the true delights in the afternoon tea repertoire. If you can get your hands on some proper clotted cream, all the better.

This recipe can be made a day or two in advance. You may need to add some extra liquid when reheating. Add peanuts when serving.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Carrot cakes

Quesadillas can be cooked in a heated sandwich press, just make sure you gently wrap the quesadilla in baking paper before pressing, to stop the filling from burning the press.

This tasty Mexican inspired breakfast quesadilla encases oozy cheese, runny eggs and hearty beans to create a healthy, flavour-packed breakfast or lunch that will fuel you for the day.

This decadent, crunchy-topped slice is perfect with a morning or afternoon cuppa.

Threading lime dressed prawns on fresh sticks of lemongrass makes for a zesty and fragrant dish.

These potato and goat cheese puffs will make a moreish and tasty addition to your next dinner party hors-d'oeuvre selection. To save on time, make them in advance and cook just before serving.

Celebrate with this tall cocktail in style. Perfect for a hot day in the sun.

Wrap individual muffins in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. Defrost muffins as required either overnight in the refrigerator or in the microwave on high (100%) for about 30 seconds. Note

You need to soak eight bamboo skewers in cold water for at least an hour before use to prevent them from splintering or burning during cooking. Note

Perfect for an after school snack, or school and work lunches these mini ham and corn quiches are easy and tasty and appealing.

John dory is a mild tasting fish that lends itself well to a multitude of flavours. We've given it an Asian influence here, teaming it with chilli and coconut rice.

Speedy and moreish, the whole family will love this easy chicken pasta.

For a different option, grate the apple coarsely. Note

Once fish has cooked and mussels have opened, serve topped with fennel mix and garlic croûtons. Scatter with chopped parsley in place of the fennel fronds if you like.