Quick & Easy

Navarin is a classic French ragoût of lamb or mutton.

Crunch through a slice of crusty bread and enjoy the filling flavours of baked beans, fresh tomato and avocado. This vegetarian meal is the perfect way to break up your day.

Try this cheat's version of a homely beef casserole, served on fresh fettuccine pasta.

A crunchy almond topping makes this delicious Christmas fruit cake different from the rest. Perfect served with a pot of hot tea.

Blood oranges are available in winter, at other times use navel oranges. Note

Wonton cups can be prepared a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. You need 3 x 12-hole (1-tablespoon/20ml) mini muffin pans. If you only have one pan, that is fine, just cook the wonton cases in batches. You could also serve the tuna tartare in a bowl with a pile of home-cooked prawn […]

Spoil the carrot cake lover with these scrumptious cupcakes topped with maple cream cheese icing.

Sandwiched with brandy butter cream, these stacked hazelnut and orange spice cookies make a stunning Christmas treat.

Duck and lychee Thai curry with sweet coconut and and water chestnuts from Australian Women's Weekly.

If you have an electric pressure cooker you won’t need to reduce the heat to stabilise pressure, your cooker will automatically stabilise itself. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions before using. Note

As a general rule, we do not recommend freezing cooked seafood of any kind because it tends to undergo both textural and flavour changes. Note

Get the kids busy in the kitchen with these delicious coconut, lime and pineapple cookies.

French trimmed lamb cutlets are the ones where the meat and fat have been removed from the bone entirely.

Just a few sheets of puff pastry, some mushrooms, bacon and egg are all you need to make up these fabulous parcels. A splash of good old worcestershire sauce and a sprinkle of chives completes the dish. It's so easy, it's almost embarrassing.

Truffles are a cook’s secret pleasure: they look splendidly impressive but are actually quite effortless to make. Basically a round of chilled flavoured ganache rolled in melted milk, dark or white chocolate with, perhaps, cocoa, coconut, chopped nuts or citrus rind, a truffle is refrigerated until it’s set then presented en masse or singly, with […]

We used golden kiwifruit in this recipe. You need two passionfruit for this recipe. This recipe is suitable for diabetics. Note

There's no cooking required for this stunning, delicious berry-swirled cheesecake tart.

This marinade is absolutely delicious served with beef, lamb or pork. Hot potatoes can also be tossed through as a dressing.

Topped with fresh spinach and dollops of horseradish cream, this easy salmon frittata is perfect for a busy, hungry cook.

Quick and easy snack of turkey, avocado and cranberry wraps from Australian Women's Weekly.

This goes well with fish, prawns, pork and chicken. Note

If you need to assemble some cocktail snacks in double-quick time this recipe is perfect. You could even prepare the wontons earlier in the day and keep them in an airtight container.

Inspired by delicious banoffee pie, this sweet little slice celebrates the match-made-in-heaven that is toffee and banana.

Eggnog crème anglaise (French for "English cream") is a light pouring custard used as a dessert cream during the Christmas season.

Can be made a day ahead up to step 2, and left covered in the fridge. Note

Basted with a balsamic glaze, these lamb chops are tasty and tender and beautifully paired with this creamy olive mash.

Honey may contain harmful bacteria and is not recommended for children under one year old. Note

This warm pasta salad is packed with flavour and makes brilliant leftovers.

Finished with a drizzle of melted chocolate, these nutty meringue sticks are excellent served with coffee.

Recipe not suitable to freeze. Kecap manis is a sweet, thick soy sauce and is available from Asian grocery stores or in the Asian section of large supermarkets. Note

Drizzled in orange blossom icing, these dense almond and orange cakes are perfect served with a pot of hot tea.

Trio of melon granita; delicious on a hot day when served with a fresh seasonal fruit salad.

It’s important not to lift the lid during the cooking of the pudding, as the condensation runs down the side of the cooker and causes damp patches on the pudding. Note

Edible gift tag cookies are an adorable way to personalise your presents this Christmas - but perhaps wait until Christmas Day to attach them to your gifts.

Stay away from the pie shop with your own home-made chicken and fennel pies.

The crumb mixture can be made several hours ahead; cook zucchini just before serving. If zucchini flowers are not available, substitute small zucchini, quartered lengthways. Note

Kick up your heels and serve this delightfully fresh and zingy passionfruit and rum liqueur at your next soiree. Your guests will love you for it!

Short-order; chilli scallops Chilli jam goes with everything from pork chops to fried rice, but for an entrée with a difference, buy some scallops in their shells; remove the scallops, wash and dry the shells well, and keep aside for later. Marinate the scallops overnight in a little lemon juice and oil combined with a […]

You can use pumpkin instead of the kumara. The beef mixture, without the coriander, is suitable to freeze. Add the coriander when reheating Note

If using bamboo skewers, soak in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them scorching during cooking, or cover the ends with foil. For a simple tzatziki sauce, combine ¾ cup low-fat yoghurt, 1 clove crushed garlic and 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley in a small bowl. For a simple chilli tomato […]

Coriander root adds great depth of flavour to these delicious seared salmon fillets served with nam jim and cucumber salad.

These succulent salmon parcels with orange and soy are gently steamed as they cook.

The firm, waxy texture of kipflers are gorgeous in this filling and tasty warm potato salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

If you have an electric pressure cooker you won’t need to reduce the heat to stabilise pressure, your cooker will automatically stabilise itself. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions before using. Recipe suitable to freeze. Note

Rich bolognese sauce, replete with sausage, pork and veal, is perfectly paired with al dente rigatoni tubes.

Rich and lavish veal and tomato pies with gremolata from Australian Women's Weekly.

Trim and position licorice bootlace to outline the windows. Position silver lollies between windows and around base; position one silver lolly on top of the flying saucer. Trim and position blue sour strings to outline base of flying saucer. Using picture as a guide, decorate flying saucer with remaining lollies. Sculpt the cake so it […]

Delight in this warming, hearty Italian inspired hotpot with juicy chicken, delicious vegies and plenty of filling, fibre-filled beans. The fennel adds a nice aniseed flavour, but is not overpowering.

The lasagne can be made a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Piping the dough in this way results in a delightfully curly result that looks dainty on the plate. Plus, there's the added element of citrusy surprise when you bite into the shortbread.

Replace fresh figs with stone fruit or berries. You can buy rolled rye at selected health food stores; replace it with rolled oats if you can’t find it. Store the muesli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months. Note

The salmon in these filo parcels will be cooked medium, slightly pink in the middle; increase or decrease the baking time depending on how you like yours cooked.

Healthy, colourful and vibrant; this roast beef and vegetable salad is a great quick dish.

Mint Slice is a biscuit with a light, crisp chocolate biscuit base, a thick layer of mint cream and a smooth coating of dark chocolate. Note

Warming and delicious slowcooked spicy lentil soup from Australian Women's Weekly.

Store swirls in an airtight container for up to a week. Note

Spiced honey muffins with chocolate chunks are topped with whipped cream and toffee bar shards in this decadent recipe.

Makes enough for 1.5kg American-style pork spareribs. Ribs can be marinated in the sauce for three hours or overnight; use the marinade to baste ribs during cooking. Sauce also goes well with grilled pork cutlets or as a marinade for chicken wings. Note

With layers of sponge, cheesecake filling, berries and custard, this delicious trifle is sure to impress.

Sweet lychee and tart lime make a refreshing cocktail combined with white rum and soda.

Add a taste of Japan to your evening and serve these nibbles with drinks for an easy snack before a dinner party.

A classic afternoon tea cake, this cherry almond cake is dense, fruity and utterly delicious.

To freeze complete recipe to the end of step 2. 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 3. Note

A flavour-packed lamb and leek braise from Australian Women's Weekly.

We've used spelt flour to create a light pancake which is beautiful topped with roasted rhubarb and a sweet rose syrup. This makes a brilliant weekend breakfast.

6-hole (¾-cup/180ml) texas muffin pan 12-hole (¹/³-cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12-hole (2-tablespoons/40ml) deep flat-based patty pan 3 texas muffin paper cases (blue) 6 standard paper cases (blue) 35cm-square prepared cake board (see basic know-how number 2, pages 160-161) decorations ¼ cup (40g) icing sugar 100g ready-made white icing (page 180) You’ll have about 1 cup […]

These teacakes are best eaten the day they are made. Note

Always use full-cream rather than light or skim milk for a quiche or savoury pie filling. Substitute speck for the ham and use a Swiss cheese in place of cheddar, if desired. Note

You can use any seed mix you like with this recipe, poppy and sesame seeds work beautifully too.

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Straight out of an authentic Japanese restaurant and on your dining table. This fresh, clean and delicious Japanese soup is delicious and oh-so-versatile.

A trick to cutting turkish delight is to place it in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up, then cut it with an oiled knife, making sure to oil the knife regularly. You need a 6cm (2½-inch) fluted square cutter, or alternatively use a 7cm (2¾ inch) fluted round cutter. Note

Wrapping a turkey breast in prosciutto before roasting it helps keep the meat tender and juicy as well as adding lots of flavour to the finished dish.

All the ingredients for this pizza can be picked up from your local delicatessen, making it the ultimate in tasty convenient cooking.

You could use mixed char-grilled vegetables from a delicatessen instead of the bottled variety. This recipe is best made just before serving, it’s not suitable to freeze as the mushrooms will become tough and rubbery. Note

A fragrant Vietnamese roasted pork loin from Australian Women's Weekly.

Fire up the barbecue with this lip-smacking seafood dish with grilled vegetables.

A light and creamy guilt-free chocolate mousse, for those times when you really want to treat yourself without over-indulgence.

These caramel macadamia bars are a definite luxury item. Sprinkled with icing sugar, they are a most delicious treat.

The trick to becoming a stir-fry pro, is making sure you have all the ingredients ready to-go before you begin frying.

Rich and tender neck chop and lentil stew with a bright and fluffy kumara and carrot mash.

You need to cook 1/2 cup long-grain white rice for this recipe. Note

Keeping time: 3 days. Note