It's hard to eat poorly when you've got a carton of eggs in the fridge, even if there's little else around. Eggs represent very compact packets of protein and nutrients ready to be turned into a nutritious meal in minutes. Master an omelette then you can create a filling according to what you have on hand.

You can double or triple the quantities, filling large dishes to serve a crowd. Do ahead This recipe can be prepared a day ahead to the end of step 3, cover and refrigerate. Finish the recipe when you’re ready to serve. Substitutes You can use a combination of other cheeses such as parmesan, vintage cheddar, […]

You need to press the cake mixture into balls using your hands, ­ do not roll as the mixture will crumble. You will need 25 lollypop or paddle pop sticks for this recipe. When dipping the popcakes in chocolate, tilt the bowl of chocolate to one side, so the chocolate is deep enough to completely […]

Hot and sour (tom yum) soup is a classic Thai soup that is, as the name suggests, spicy and sour. Made well, it is a bracing and nourishing dish with strong yet perfectly balanced flavours.

Store rocky road in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Note

Duck kway teow, a popular stir-fried rice noodle dish, in a box for kid's snacks.

A healthy and delicious Japanese starter or side dish of teriyaki snow peas and snap peas.

Create a Chinese sensation.

Fun envelope cookies for special occasions like weddings and engagement parties.

Toffee apples can be made up to two days ahead. Place in paper cases and wrap in cellophane or use cellophane bags. Note

There's nothing abstemious about this gluten-free chocolate cake recipe, especially not with the luscious chocolate frosting all over it.

Try this recipe for a roast with a twist. Beer finds it's place in yet another crowd pleasing dish.

Tiny, blue-grey poppy seeds add texture and a slightly nutty taste. Note

Enjoy these sweet little cranberry and coconut treats with a cup of tea or coffee and good conversation.

Stir-fried udon noodles with beef and tomato from Australian Women's Weekly.

Pick up a cooked chicken on your way home from work and you can have this delicious and hearty meal on the table soon after you walk in the front door.

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Start your day with a delicious egg, mushroom and prosciutto breakfast pizzas.

Also known as ‘bow-tie’ pasta, farfalle is good for this dish. The crinkles of each piece enfold the ricotta and peas for maximum deliciousness. However, you can replace the farfalle with penne or small shells if you want. Note

This cheat's ravioli is easy, light and brimming with summery flavours.

If preferred, use eating chocolate, broken into pieces for melting. Be careful not to overheat chocolate when melting as it will become hard and unusable. Add a few drops of peppermint essence to the mixture if liked. Note

Use thinly sliced pork fillet instead of pork strips if you like. Pork mixture can be marinated for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. Note

Delicious chicken tenderloins with a tangy coconut and peanut sauce.

Trim the edges of the lettuce leaves with kitchen scissors to make them look neater. Hold lettuce, cored end up, under cold running water. The water will get between the leaves, making them slip off easily and intact. Note

You can prepare the vegetables and sauce up to a day ahead; keep the sauce, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Embossed cookie cutters come with assorted messages and are available from cake decorating and kitchen shops, and most larger department stores. Or, you can stamp a message with individual letters into the cookie dough. You need a 7.5cm (3-inch) round fluted cutter, a 7.5cm (3-inch) embossed cookie cutter and a piping bag fitted with a […]

Smoked salmon can be used instead of trout, if preferred. Note

A North Italian vegetable and rice dish cooked in broth to a creamy consistency.

You could use rump or sirloin steak instead of the beef eye fillet. Note

You could also use a 22cm (9-inch) round loosebased fluted flan tin for this recipe. You can also use lasoda or sebago potatoes in this recipe. Note

Soak 12 bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. Note

These easy vegetarian pita pockets will be gobbled up by the whole family.

Plump raisins and tender pecans make this fruit loaf a great choice for breakfast or afternoon tea.

The perfect healthy snack; zucchini fritters with skordalia, a thick purée of Greek cuisine, from Australian Women's Weekly.

It’s a lot easier to slice the steak into wafer-thin strips if you partially freeze it first. Serve immediately with steamed rice. Recipe should be prepared as required. Note

While the cooking method may stray from tradition, there are only pure, classic, mouth-watering flavours to be found in these delicious brownies. This recipe is an easy crowd pleaser.

Filled with ham, cheese and scrambled egg, these easy pinwheels are perfect for a morning snack.

Not only do these white chocolate and raspberry mille-feuilles look amazing, they taste just as good. They are surprisingly quick and easy to make so you don't need an excuse to whip up a batch and surprise your loved ones.

Japanese flavours permeate this dish, from the soy mirin dressing to the crispy nori shreds on top of the grilled tuna.

It’s a lot easier to slice the steak into wafer-thin strips if you partially freeze it first. Accompany with rice, if desired. Note

A very fast and easy vegetarian pad Thai with tofu and green beans, it has all the flavour you expect from pad Thai without the meat.

A fresh, light and tasty dinner that's full of goodness, salmon with teriyaki chilli sauce will become a go-to dinner.

The classic Greek seasoning of lemon, oregano and garlic brings out the flavour and helps tenderise the meat for these marinated lamb skewers. With a Greek salad and smokey baba ganoush on the side, it's a light, satisfying meal bursting with flavour.

Peppery rocket is one of the best things to top a pizza in recent years, and is perfect paired with ham, cherry tomatoes and ricotta on these simple pita pocket pizzas.

Super simple and seriously tasty, this spaghetti with anchovies, olives and rocket is the ideal mid-week dinner.

Perfect for school lunches, picnics or after-school snacks and equally delicious hot or cold, these mini leek and parmesan fritters will always satisfy hungry mouths.

Use the yellow and lighter green leaves from the heart of the celery. Note

Serve with chopped mint or basil leaves. Note

Some soups just beg to be enjoyed in the springtime. This brothy risoni and spring vegetable soup is light, tasty and ready in a jiffy. Serve with warm, fresh crusty bread.

The turkey can be swapped for cooked chicken breast. Vegetables can be prepared a day ahead, cover with damp kitchen paper and plastic wrap, and store in the fridge. Drizzle with soy sauce just before serving. You can add or omit the chilli depending on how hot you like your food. Note

Chorizo is a sausage made of coarsely ground pork and highly seasoned with garlic and chilli.

Citrus lovers will adore these fluffy puddings drizzled in marmalade syrup.

Instead of pure vegetable oil to deep-fry, you can blend it (50/50) with sesame oil. Note

If you have time, marinate the chops, covered, for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Note

Carrot raita

Thick ready-made custard is sold in the refrigerated section of supermarkets. Note

You can substitute well-drained canned asparagus for the fresh, if desired. Note

You can substitute the extra ricotta with cream cheese, if you like. Note

This is our twist on a caesar salad ­ the addition of potato makes this recipe suitable for a quick dinner or an easy option for lunch at work. For a low-fat version, replace the mayonnaise with skim-milk natural yogurt. The breadcrumbs can be toasted in the oven instead of frying them. Note

Rich and full of flavour, this recipe for veal cutlets with red pesto sauce is quick and easy but very tasty.

If you want to make the bread a little lighter in colour and texture, use half white self-raising flour with the wholemeal self-raising flour. Note

Break your fast with this classic breakfast fry-up, complete with fried eggs, roasted tomatoes, crispy ham and herby mushrooms.

Caramelised onion and potato pizza is delicious as is, but you can also add ingredients like olives, proscuitto or cherry tomatoes if you like.

A fresh and fragrant braised duck dish that is fragrant and full of flavour. Most types of dried mushrooms will work well; if you want to stick with the Asian theme of the dish, use dried shiitakes.

An exquisite main dish for special occasions; Thai coconut-poached chicken & herb salad.

Indian-style tandoori lamb cutlets with sweet mango chutney from Australian Women's Weekly.

This Za'atar spiced chickpea salad with feta and mint is a great summer salad option.

Try this delightfully citrusy orange flavoured macaroon cake next time you're asked to 'bring a plate'. The unique combination and texture of coconut and orange will be a sure fire winner.

Use any berries you like in this cake; they will all marry happily with the orange flavour. The mascarpone adds an extra level of decadence.

An Italian egg-based dish packed full of capsicum, red onion, potato and chilli.

Both the kids and adults will love these tasty and simple hot dogs.

Rich and flavoursome duck red curry from Australian Women's Weekly.