Add your own twist to shepherd’s pie -- try kumara mash and minted peas.

To reheat, thaw, then cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes (or 20-30 minutes for smaller dishes).

Experiment with different ingredients to keep life, and food, interesting!

A rich and thick tomato sauce covers these fluffy Italian dumplings, topped off with basil and lights flakes of parmesan.

Parmesan mash with beef stew

The addition of fresh mint, peas and ricotta adds a wonderfully fragrant and creamy note to these delicious chicken meatballs. Served in a rich tomato sauce over fresh pasta, it makes a great family meal.

Mike’s Top Tips: By making your own pasta, you’re learning a great new skill. Plus it’s super-easy. But if you haven’t got the time, buy fresh lasagne sheets from the supermarket and cut them into wide strips Frying the herbs for the pappardelle gives beautiful colour, texture and flavour to the dish. Just be careful […]

Rich duck cooked in wine and tomatoes makes for a perfect winter dish.

The thoughtfully prepared sides make this simple chicken dish extra special.

Keep a healthy theme going by swapping fried chicken or nuggets for delicious poppy-crumbed bingo wings.

Leaving the fruit intact will give your presentation a professional edge.

My artichoke tart packs a flavourful punch that the whole family will love.

A roasted root vegetable salad will still taste great as leftovers the next day.

The salty feta balances out the sweetness of the dates, basil and cherry tomatoes.

Mike’s Top Tips: The yoghurt sorbet isn’t an instant dessert as it takes a while to freeze, so best to make it the day before you want to eat it. Try freezing this delicious sorbet in a metal container as the metal will act as a temperature conductor, freezing the sorbet twice as fast as […]

This beautiful asparagus and lemon risotto is simmered in white wine and garlic to create the creamiest, most flavoursome rice dish. Served with a piece of crispy-skin salmon, this makes a perfect dinner.

Tossed shards of parmesan with prosciutto and mushroom, drenched in cream. Pasta boscaiola is a legendary Italian pasta dish.

Prepare this zesty homemade lemon and lime marmalade for your family and friends. This fruity, tart spread is perfect on toast for breakfast.

The flavours of this fresh salad brighten the whole meal.

A crisp base and sweet citrus syrup make this almond cheesecake a divine dessert for all.

Put a healthy twist on Italian classics for comfort food at its best.

Choose thick-skinned lemons because they are sturdier. Serve sorbet in glasses or gelato cups. Before freezing, cut base off lemon shells so they sit flat for serving. Note

Make ahead: Prepare almost to end of Step 3, adding fetta, parsley and zest just before serving. Risoni is rice-shaped pasta. No need to thaw onion before using. Don’t overcook beans; they only need to be warmed. Note

Use seasonal fruit of choice and to suit your budget. Note

If liked, use 1/2 cup soup mix, rice or pasta instead of barley. Cook rice or pasta for 10-12 minutes until tender. You could also add some chopped potato to soup for the last 20 minutes of cooking. Note

Aigroissade is a French term for cooked mixed vegetables served with aioli (garlic mayonnaise). It can be served warm or temperature. Note

For a milder version, halve the amount of chilli bean sauce used. Note

Brown rice takes longer than other rice to cook. Note

This is an excellent way to use pearly white button mushrooms when you can find them. Note

toss a little of the cooking liquid through cooked pasta to help prevent it from sticking together. Note

Comfort in a bowl.

The super bowl! Curl up on cold nights with a heart-warming meal in hand

These seasonal favourites are perfect for cosy autumnal evenings. As the recipes cook, your home will be filled with beautiful aromas that the whole family will thank you for.

Easter feast! Save room for this tempting celebratory spread. Stain eggs with a delicate pattern by soaking them in tea.

Wholemeal pasta is high in fibre so you’ll likely eat less of it and feel full for longer.

Salad ingredients can easily be added and substituted – use your imagination!

The kids will love creating their very own marshmallows for dessert.

Catch of the day! Reel in your guests with dinner and dessert made on the barbie

This salad makes a simple lunch or supper that’s sure to satisfy.

Thanks to the abundance of ingredients that were unfamiliar just a few years ago, the cook now has more options than ever when it comes to delighting the family with new flavours.

For flavour, add a strip of orange peel or use dried fruit and let it infuse and swell in the syrup.

Ginger and mint are a classic combo. Pair them with honey and soda water for a sensational drink.

I know it’s not the old-fashioned way of making jam, but it is fool proof and sometimes you just need to know it’s going to work and set perfectly. You can use either fresh berries (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries) but also thawed frozen berries. I used half and half. The little knob of butter […]

This jelly should have distinct layers. The clear lemon jelly contrasts with the spongy honeycomb base. Don’t worry if the mixture curdles – it’s meant to. Note

Plums not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. You’ll need approximately 10 plums for this recipe. Note

The popular superfood quinoa dives in to save lunch yet again with this Italian style salad. Filled with tomatoes, capsicum, boccincini and a zesty dressing your taste buds and stomach will be thanking you.

To grill pancetta, arrange on a baking tray and grill for 5-10 minutes, until crisp. Cool. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Ganache suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Cauliflower suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. If cooking chicken the day before, reserve some of the cooking liquid to pour over the sliced chicken meat before refrigerating. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Cake suitable to freeze. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. The chilli jam recipe will make about 2 cups (500ml). It can be made a month ahead and kept refrigerated. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Suitable to freeze. Suitable to microwave. If you are short of time, omit the mustard seeds, extra onion and butter, then stir the spinach through the butter chicken at the end of the cooking time. Note

Suitable to freeze without yoghurt and egg. Suitable to microwave. Note

Chilli con carne mixture suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. This salad, without the dressing, can be made several hours ahead and refrigerated, covered. Note

This recipe can be made up to two weeks ahead. Note

A sugar (candy) thermometer, from kitchenware stores, is essential for this recipe. Nougat can be made a week ahead. Store nougat in an airtight container between layers of baking paper in a cool, dry place. If the weather is humid, make close to serving. Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Sauce suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

This recipe can be made up to two weeks ahead; store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place, but not in the refrigerator. Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Ice-cream can be made several days ahead. Apricot mixture can be made a day ahead. Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

This recipe can be prepared a day ahead. Assemble just before serving. Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

You will need about eight to 10 limes for this recipe. Not suitable to freeze. Suitable to microwave. Note

If the skin of the chicken doesn’t get crispy enough in the cooking time, simply place the chicken under the grill for about 2 minutes. Note

You will need one bunch of silverbeet for this recipe. Note

This delicious creamy soup is packed full of earthy mushroom flavour, making the perfect lunch or light dinner in the cooler months.

Suitable to freeze (without mustard, cream, peas and parsley). Not suitable to microwave. Note

Serve this salad as an accompaniment to grilled fish or roast chicken, or with crumbled goat’s cheese as a main meal.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Chilli and herb swede crush

Spreads tastes so much sweeter when you've made them yourself with less preservatives and more of the good stuff like quality rhubarb and strawberries.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Marmalade will keep, unopened, for 6 months in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Once opened, refrigerate for up to 3 months. Note