To blind bake, line pastry case with a sheet of baking paper, two-thirds fill with raw rice, bake at 200°C (180°C fan forced) for 10 minutes, then remove paper and rice and return pastry case to oven for a further 10 minutes or until lightly browned. 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

You will need some lace, a doily or a stencil for decorating these cakes. Note

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

Cut a small round from the top of each cake; cut round in half to make two wings (step 7). Note

Nana's roast chicken simply doesn't stand up to this spice-packed Middle-Eastern roast with a creamy feta sauce.

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

Work quickly while making the chocolate shells, as the chocolate tends to set quickly. You may need to resoften the chocolate in a microwave oven for a couple of seconds, if this happens. It’s important that the chocolate moulds are thoroughly cleaned and dried before using. 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.

Lamingtons are perfect for gifts and fetes. They can be made ahead and frozen. Serve straight from the freezer or stand at room temperature until thawed. Note

Use a pair of clean tweezers to position the tiny Wonka Nerds and other small lollies. Note

It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. The meringues are best eaten within 2 hours of baking. Use strawberries or blackberries in place of the raspberries. Redcurrant jelly is a preserve found in the jam section of large supermarkets. Note

6-hole (¾-cup/180ml) texas muffin pan 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 40cm (16-inch) square prepared cake board 2.5cm (1-inch) round cutter We used cotton wool to create a snowy effect. Use your imagination when you’re “dressing” the snow folk and use whatever “clothes” you like. You could use chenille sticks (pipe cleaners) for arms instead of […]

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

Garlic wedges can be made a week ahead. Note

We used ling in this recipe, but any firm white fish fillet will be fine. Note

Be sure to remove all toothpicks from cake before cutting. Note

You can substitute the almond meal for hazelnut or pecan meal if you prefer. The orange caramel sauce is best served immediately once prepared because it will separate on standing. Note

We used a bottled mixture of cornichons and baby pickled onions. Rillettes are a classic dish served for an aperitif with slices of baguette, cornichons and a glass of red wine. Duck or goose rillettes are also very popular in France. 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

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

There's no need to miss out on delicious pastry dishes because of allergies. This tasty chicken, semi-dried tomato and spinach tart is gluten-free, and beautiful enjoyed warm from the oven or served cool as a lunch-box snack.

Warm, hearty and creamy, Potatos Byron is a simple but tasty French potato recipe with Parmesan cheese and cream.

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

Get the kids ready for the next world cup qualifier.This cake will surely encourage them to go outside and practise their ball skills. You can make it easier on yourself by using a Styrofoam ball instead of a cake for the shape of the soccer ball. Position the soccer ball on the cake about an […]

If you like, you can insert skewers into the cake to hold the layers in place while slicing. Cut through the top two cake layers and serve as a portion; cut through the bottom two cake layers as a second portion. Note

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

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

Cooking salt is coarser than table salt, but not as large-flaked as sea salt: it is sold packaged in bags in most supermarkets. Note

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

Bamboo skewers are good to use as a guide for the knife as you split the cake. If the cake is large, long skewers can be pushed through the cake, from one side to the other. If the cake is small, use toothpicks to mark the layer. Use a sharp serrated knife to split the […]

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

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.

This cake is another one perfect to take to school, or picnic — or any outdoor party. Note

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

This colourful cake is perfect for little kids who love building sand castles and exploring the beach.

Light, fluffy beignets filled with fruity raspberry jam are an adorably sweet afternoon treat.

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 […]

Use regular golden syrup for this recipe, not the squeezable bottles, as this has a lighter texture. Note

We used a 35cm x 45cm oval plastic serving platter for the pond; a shallow cake pan, baking dish or shallow casserole dish would also work, depending on the number of frogs you need for the party. You will have about 1 cup of cake mixture left over ­enough for another five frogs. Note

Meringues can be made one day ahead, store in an airtight container at room temperature. Note

Pide is a Turkish-style pizza, usually stuffed with a spiced lamb filling.

Soufflé can be made ahead through the end of step 4. Just before you intend to fold in the egg whites and bake the soufflé, warm the prepared egg yolk and spinach base by standing the bowl in warm water a few minutes. Note

Make sure the rosebuds have not been treated with any chemical sprays. Note

Feed lots of hungry mouths with these tasty sandwiches. You can use any bread you like such as fresh sourdough, sliced ciabatta or crusty white rolls, as we have here. Note

Pecans are a native American nut; they were introduced to the world through this famous pie. Note

Serve accompanied with asparagus or broccoli or a green leafy salad, if liked. You can use red salmon or canned tuna if you like. The recipe can be made to the end of step 4 several hours ahead. From cold, bake covered at 200°C for 30 minutes or until heated through then uncover and bake […]

Gingerbread can be made up to a week ahead, store in an airtight container. The house can be assembled 5 days ahead, keep covered in a cool dry place. In hot humid weather, the toffee should be made on the day of serving. Note

This recipe also makes 12 standard muffins (⅓-cup/80ml capacity holes). Bake cakes for 20 minutes. Note

Standing the custards in a dish filled with ice cubes keeps the custards from melting while the sugar is caramelising under the grill. Of course, if you have a cooking blowtorch, use that instead. Note

Bread cups can be made a day ahead, store in an airtight container. You need 3 x 12-hole (2-tablespoon/40ml) deep flat-based patty pans, it’s fine if you only have one pan, just make the cups in batches. You also need an 8cm round cutter. Buy fresh, thin-style pitta bread. If the bread is too thick […]

Watch their eyes light up for this happy, smiling flower. White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

This light and delicious sponge cake is a quick and tasty treat for the whole family to enjoy.

You can also make this pastry using a food processor. Process flour, icing sugar, ginger and butter until crumbly. Add egg yolk and enough of the water to make ingredients just come together. Knead gently on floured surface until smooth. You need 1 small papaya (650g) for this recipe. Note

An exquisite and morish Mediterranean-style mushroom and polenta dish with roasted tomatoes.