To toast sesame seeds, spread them on shallow tray, bake in a moderate oven five minutes, or until golden. Note

A rich and delicious sausage and cannellini bean bake from Australian Women's Weekly.

Helpful hint Pizza cheese is a commercial blend of processed grated mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar cheeses. Use plain cheddar cheese if you like, or use a tasty or mature cheddar for extra bite. Note

Recipe is best prepared as required. Note

Chicken can be prepared and stuffed with cheese a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Remove toothpicks before serving. Note

When cooking risotto, it is vital to use Arborio or Carnaroli rice as these grains release the starch that gives risotto its creaminess. Swap the vegetables in this recipe for whatever is in season. Note

Ask the butcher to score the pork skin for you. Note

Cake pops can be made at least two days before the party. Note

You could add 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger to the broth for extra flavour, if you like. Note

You can use a mixture of grilled eggplant, capsicum and sun-dried tomatoes for the antipasto vegetables. Grilled artichokes and mushrooms could also be used. Note

Recipe is best prepared as required. For a light meal (that serves four), serve with some crusty bread. Note

You will be able to find the ingredients for this muesli either in the health food aisle at most supermarkets or health food stores. The muesli will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Note

Don’t assemble or cook pizzas until just before serving to keep them from becoming soggy. Note

This keeps for 4 days. Note

This exquisite ruby grapefruit, orange and basil salad brings colour and zest to any dinner table.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

You need 12 medium passionfruit for this recipe. Note

This tasty vegetarian twist on the classic Aussie seafood dish switches squid for tofu. It works perfectly here with a crispy, spiced batter and a zesty Asian inspired salad.

Add a little sugar to the ratatouille to reduce any acid taste, if you like. If you want to reduce or eliminate the oil, the ratatouille can be cooked in the oven. Combine all the ingredients in an ovenproof dish and bake at 180°C (160°C fan-forced) for about 30 minutes. Note

American-style pork ribs are well-trimmed mid-loin ribs; you will find them at butcher shops and most supermarkets. Note

You will need to soak eight 25cm (10-inch) bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from splintering or scorching during the cooking process. Note

Rose petal jam is available from Middle-Eastern foodstores and delis. Note

A delicious soup full of seasonal spring vegetables.

Garlic wedges can be made a week ahead. Note

The rolls can be prepared for baking up to 12 hours ahead; keep, covered, in refrigerator. Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

This deliciously fragrant and warming Italian soup combines zucchini flowers and sweet peas to create a brilliant vegetarian meal. Serve topped with a crumbly pangrattato for a restaurant quality dish at home.

If you can’t buy hokkien noodles, use fresh wide egg noodles. Note

Make a cottage for each year of the birthday child’s age and, rather than using fruit sticks for the chimneys, use chunky coloured candles, instead. You’ll have about 1 cup of the cake mixture left over, enough to make another little house. Note

Cute and fun little nippy the crab cupcakes that the kids will love.

A delicious stir-fried salad with spicy Sichuan chilli for some heat.

You can find lavender honey (produced by bees fed on lavender) at selected delicatessens. If unavailable, any variety of honey can be used. Note

Equipment: three 12-hole (-cup/80ml) muffin pans 25 paper muffin cases 5 disposable piping bags medium plain piping tube 48cm x 55cm covered cake board Decorations: 8 red ALLEN’S MARELLA Jubes 4 red ALLEN’S SNAKES ALIVE 1 banana ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 3 strawberry ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 6 LIFE SAVERS PEP‘O’MINT, halved 6 LIFE SAVERS […]

Rhubarb can be cooked several hours ahead. Place in pie dish, cover and refrigerate. Top rhubarb with crumble topping and bake as required. Note

A quesadilla (from queso, the Spanish word for cheese) is a tortilla “sandwich” containing cheese and any of a wide number of spicy filling ingredients, which is grilled, fried or toasted and usually served with salsa. You need to buy two untrimmed corn cobs (800g) to get the amount of trimmed corn needed for this […]

Check for bones; pull them out with clean tweezers. Serve salmon with steamed rice and a green salad. Note

Chapatis are available in packets of 6 from the bakery section in supermarkets. You can substitute any variety of flour tortillas, if preferred. Note

This is my own variation on the simple, classic omelette from Spain which usually has just onions, garlic and potatoes as the basis.

We used flathead for this recipe, but you can use any firm white-fleshed fish fillets. Note

Pearl barley is a nutritious grain that has had the husk removed, and then has been hulled and polished so only the ‘pearl’ of the original grain remains, much the same as white rice. It is available from health-food stores and most supermarkets. Note

Pasilla chillies, also known as 'chile negro' because of their dark brown colour, possess a rich flavour that adds a smoky depth to the overall recipe.

You’ll have about 1 1/2 cup of the cake mixture left over; make more noughts and crosses cakes for your guests. This is a very easy birthday cake to make; it is suitable for boys and girls alike. You can make it in any colour you like. Note

Boiled lollies are made from a thick syrup of boiled sugar and water, to which colour and flavourings are added before the mixture is rolled, cut into pieces and hardened. Also known as rock candy, humbugs and bullseyes. Note

You will need 3 large overripe bananas (690g) for this recipe. Note

Cut the pizza so your guests get a slice of pear per piece. Note

Aromatic Asian-style ginger tuna with an exquisite wasabi cream.

You can also use lasoda or pink-eye potatoes for this recipe. Note

This recipe can be made in a traditional paella pan if you own one, otherwise a deep frying pan or wok with a tight-fitting lid will suffice. Serve the paella straight from the pan at the table. Note

If you don’t have metal skewers, use bamboo skewers ­ soak them in cold water while the prawns are in the fridge. Note

Delicious and crispy pork loin with a spiced orange relish from Australian Women's Weekly.

Sweet and crispy French-style mango soufflés with chocolate collars from Australian Women's Weekly.

These small French croquettes make for great snack or cocktail food.

You need two punnets of baby mizuna for this recipe. Large mizuna leaves can be used instead. Use drained, canned crab meat, or flesh from cooked crabs. You can also buy fresh crab meat from the fish markets. Note

This traditional frozen Venetian drink made with gelato is hard to categorise – part drink, part dessert ­with a texture more akin to a slushie. We’ve used sorbet instead of gelato but, either way, it’s delicious; just be sure to serve it with long spoons or straws, if served in tall glasses. Note

An exquisite side dish that goes perfectly with grilled haloumi and crusty bread.

Roast lamb with tomato and potatoes

Fried shallots, often sold by their Thai name of homm jiew, are available from Asian grocery stores in jars or cellophane bags, and will keep for months if stored tightly sealed. They can be added to any number of Western dishes for a tasty bit of surprise crunch. Note

Crunchy crumbed chicken schnitzel with a fresh and zingy coleslaw,

You can reserve the strained rhubarb to flavour smoothies, or spoon on top of porridge, cereal or yoghurt. Note

Use any fresh berries you like in this recipe. If you only have one patty pan, bake the first batch, then wash, butter and flour the pan again before baking the next lot. Note

Delicious, thin and crunchy Belgian-style chocolate hazelnut thins.

Warm risoni pasta creates a perfect base to let the vegetables shine in this dish fresh and easy dish that only takes 30 minutes to make.

The amount of milk you need to add to this scone dough depends on the water content of the pumpkin. The amount you add will vary every time you make these scones. Note

You’ll need six small wooden skewers for this recipe. Soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes before using to prevent them splintering and scorching during cooking. Use dried oregano if you can’t find rigani. Note

The easiest way to line the base of a pan hole is to cut the bottom out of cupcake paper cases; use the correct sized case for the muffin pan. Don’t overbeat the dairy-free spread or it will break down; you just need to break it up before adding the flour mixture. These cakes will […]