We like to use green-skinned baby figs, they are very seasonal; check with your specialist greengrocer for availability. The toffee is very hot, so take care when dipping the figs into the toffee. Note

Suitable from 6 months Note

It may seem like a lot of dressing, but the rice will soak it all up. Note

A specialty of Siena, Italy, this dense fruit and nut cake is also known as Siena cake. You need to start this recipe the day before. Panforte will keep for up to 2 months wrapped in baking paper, then foil, in an airtight container.

Sweet, rich and creamy with just the right amount of zest, this cheesecake filling sits atop a crumbly biscuit base for the perfect pairing of textures.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Replace half the corn with frozen peas or beans. Instead of shredded chicken, you could flake 100g smoked trout or salmon into the soup in Step 3. Note

Add some chopped bacon or prosciutto to the mix for extra flavour. Note

This recipe utilises the classic Italian technique of removing sausage meat from the casing before cooking. It makes for a tasty, succulent pasta with sausage meat in a savoury tomato sauce.

Warm, creamy and hearty, this tasty four-cheese penne dish is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a family dinner on a cooler evening.

A classic Aussie dessert, this beautiful meringue is divine topped with a sweet berry compote to create a brilliant pavlova.

When you're not up for an argument, this tuna kedgeree by Woman's Day is the perfect option for hungry but fussy kids. You can spice up your own with some finely sliced red chilli.

Creamy and comforting, this asparagus, chicken and mushroom pasta bake is a great mid-week dinner recipe. It's also handy on a busy weekend when you've got lots of mouths to feed.

Let your creativity flow when designing these beautiful toffee decorations. Try different shapes, sizes, patterns and designs for some fun and variation.

Paratha is a flatbread that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It can be served with curry, or as we've done here, stuffed with a delicious spicy potato filling and eaten as a snack.

The balance between the sweetness of the honey and the sharp, vinegary mustard is what gives honey mustard chicken its distinctive appeal.

Yabbies are an Australian bush tucker classic. Treat your guests with these fantastic seafood nibbles at your next dinner party. As with any seafood dish, the key to great flavour is fresh ingredients.

This gnocchi recipe is a little more forgiving that its potato based cousin. Nervous cooks should dive confidently into this spinach and ricotta with sage butter version. The result will be as light and delicate as you could wish for.

What better way to enjoy the delights of fresh spring vegetables than this pasta primavera with its tangy herb and mustard dressing. Store leftovers in a tupperware container for a delicious and healthy lunch the next day.

The pancetta and pea combination lift an otherwise ordinary dish to new heights. Serve with mashed potato and sweet potato for a crowd pleasing family meal.

There may well be some time investment here, but your efforts will be worth it. These chicken teriyaki brown rice sushi rolls look fabulous and the brown rice filling makes it an extra nutritious snack.

These white chocolate mud cakes look and taste absolutely divine. Select brightly coloured icing flowers to decorate the top of the cakes and arrange beautifully on a cake stand for that extra 'wow' factor.

The fresh flavour of these airy apple soufflés is perfectly suited to the lightness of this classic dessert. Serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce or brandy butter if you like.

The potato in this smoked trout dip adds a lovely robust flavour and a creamy texture. It goes beautifully with tostini, crackers, or vegetable sticks

When it comes to this chilli crab dish, the reward is worth the effort of getting to that sweet and tender meat, which is deliciously complimented by the spices and fresh coriander. For best results, serve with plenty of napkins and a crisp white wine.

Marmalade is really jam for grown-ups and our grapefruit and brandy marmalade is especially sophisticated. Spread it liberally on your hot buttered toast or scones for an elegant morning snack. Serve with tea for two.

For such an incredibly simple dish, this chilli and garlic spaghettini is just loaded with flavour, and crunch thanks to the toasted breadcrumbs. A great pick-me-up dish when you're short on time.

There's no need to restrict baked ham to Christmas, this cherry-glazed baked ham makes a magnificent centrepiece for any party or celebration.

There's loads of flavour in this quick, throw-it-together spaghetti with leeks, bacon and chilli. This is the perfect recipe to have on hand when you need to cook a mid-week dinner in a hurry.

Lamb cutlets go beautifully with this black-eyed bean salad. The beans are the dried seed of a variant of the snake or yard bean, and can be found at your local supermarket.

This spinach, bacon and pine nut pasta can be on the table in under 20 minutes. Pappardelle is a wide ribbon pasta perfect for this kind of dish but you can substitute fettuccine or tagliatelle, if preferred.

This natural sweetness of this beetroot chutney is leavened with spices and cut with vinegar and lemon juice. We used Granny Smith apples in this recipe and they're the best variety to use by far.

Home made puree is a great first food for babies, and apple is an eternal favourite. You can make this same recipe using pear if you prefer.

These tasty smoked trout fish cakes are delicious served with a big wedge of lime to squeeze all over them. With salad and bread on the side, they make a great lunch or light dinner.

Cumin gives a lovely hint of spice to this sweet carrot dip. Serve as part of an after-school snack with blanched vegetables such as snow peas, baby corn or red capsicum (bell peppers).

Brew a cup of good coffee, or warm up the teapot, and sit back with a slice of this fabulous white chocolate and raspberry baked cheesecake for an afternoon tea to savour.

Risoni is a small, rice-sized pasta often used in Italian soups; it goes perfectly with a marinara sauce accompaniment as its texture allows the delicious seafood to remain the 'hero' of the dish.

Salsa verde compliments meat or fish beautifully, and gives a really punchy flavour to this salad. Smoked trout is a delicious and convenient ingredient and is widely available. Make sure you remove any bones during preparation.

Light yet satisfying, this warm asparagus and egg salad is perfect for a special weekend brunch, or a late night supper.

Lentils have a nutty, earthy flavour that helps ground the strident richness of the sausages and pungency of the mustard and spices in this robust salad.

Angel hair pasta, also known as barbina, or "capelli d'angelo" in Italian, are long, delicate strands of spaghetti-like pasta. This tomato, tuna and capers angel hair pasta recipe is fresh and tasty.

These almond honey nougats are beautiful to look at and delicious to eat. They make the perfect Christmas gift or after dinner sweet to enjoy with family and friends during the festive season.

Simple and delicious, this pasta dish can be on the dinner table in just half an hour. Don't be frightened of the anchovies; topped with the garlic breadcrumbs, they give a wonderful flavour.

This tender, aromatic beef in an Asian broth can be on your dinner table in under half an hour and is packed full of goodness and flavour that the family will love. It's a tasty and easy mid-week meal.

Middle Eastern cuisine often incorporates fruit like apricots and raisins into meat dishes. Currants are little sweet, raisin-like dried fruits that give this already fragrant dish an extra flavour boost.

Potato salad has sure come a long way since the mayonnaise drenched versions. The addition of kumara adds a sweetness of flavour and a smoothness of texture. And not a jar of mayonnaise to be seen.

A delicious white bean, leek and garlic sausage soup with pistou that will warm you up and fill you up on a cold winters day. Especially if you've got plenty of good bread to dunk in it as you go.

Bite-sized baby potatoes always make for a delicious side dish, especially when they're tossed in garlic and rosemary. Keep an eye out for new season baby spuds, and make this dish as soon as they appear.

A more sophisticated cousin of fish-n-chips and mushy peas, this seared ocean trout and potato smash with pea and mint salsa is simple to prepare, and a healthy and delicious way to increase your oily fish intake.

The chilli pancetta gives the linguine a lovely spicy kick. If you can't find it, use regular pancetta and add chilli to taste. Just a short time in the pan will be enough for the asparagus to add a touch of crunchy texture.

Penne matriciana is a simple peasant style pasta dish made with fresh tomato and bacon. It can be on the table in 30 minutes and is a tasty and satisfying meal that will please even the fussiest of eaters.

This soft, sugar-dusted confectionery goodie comes in many flavours, however this recipe has remained traditional and gone with the classic rosewater.

Try this exquisite salad as a light lunch or as a side to your next dinner.

Indian chai is a milky tea flavoured with various spices that has become increasingly popular throughout the world. The spices used vary from region to region and we think this recipe has the perfect, fragrant balance.

If you're looking for the perfect quick and easy mid-week dinner, you've found it. Simple, tasty and ready in a flash, this asparagus, bacon and cheese pasta will become a go-to recipe.

Like a spaghetti pie with an eggplant, parmesan and breadcrumb crust, this Sicilian spaghetti is rich, earthy and very satisfying. Perfect for filling up on a cold evening or for lunch after a stiff weekend walk.

Scoff your way through these delicious white wine and garlic mussels to find a tasty broth at the bottom. Keep the shell, still hinged, from the first mussel you eat and use this to remove the remaining mussels from their shells.

This tagliatelle pasta with broccoli and anchovies is simple and delicious. Don't let the family be put off by the addition of anchovies, they leave no overwhelming fishy taste, just a delicious savoury flavour.

The seasoning mix on this spiced fish with lemon yogurt sauce sure packs a flavourful kick. We used perch here, but you could use any type of firm fish; ling, blue eye, or barramundi would work equally well.

Simple, perfectly creamy mashed potato is the ultimate comfort food. Serve alongside just about anything.

Textural, substantial and with an earthy flavour, pearl barley is an incredibly versatile grain that can be used in soups, stews and salads. It’s also packed with nutrients and low in kilojoules.

Combine this tender beef fillet with a delicious red wine sauce and a generous serving of mashed kumara for a slightly different take on the a traditional beef and vegetable fare. You'll be glad you did.

Creamy vanilla custard and layers of light pastry dusted with icing sugar - a piece of French vanilla slice is a perfect afternoon treat, especially with a cup of good coffee on the side.

You just can't beat the flavour and creamy texture of fresh artichokes poached in wine. And there is no denying the irresistibility of hollandaise sauce. This dish is the perfect addition to any antipasto plate.

Sausage and mash is right up there in the pantheon of comfort foods, and this version boasts scrumptious pea and bacon mash with caramelised onions on top. Perfection.

Savoury braised peas make a gorgeous moat around this crispy-skinned salmon fillet on a bed of mashed potatoes. Delicious enough to serve at a dinner party, easy enough to be a mid-week dinner recipe.

Winter comfort food has never been better with this effortless soup and irresistible garlic bread, filled with capsicum, tomatoes and beans.

Raclette is a semi-hard cheese available from select delicatessens. Note

Bring all the delights of Italian cuisine to your dinner table with this simple, flavoursome dish.

This lightly spiced fennel and tomato couscous salad makes a lovely lunch or side dish.

When dissolved gelatine is added to a mixture, both should be roughly the same temperature. Note

This rich and hearty soup can be whipped up in about half an hour. Evaporated milk (not to be confused with condensed milk) is canned unsweetened milk from which some of the water has been evaporated.

Brown lentils can be substituted for the puy lentils, although they do require longer cooking. Note

Ranch is a creamy, onion-flavoured dressing usually made from mayonnaise and either buttermilk or sour cream. Use caesar dressing, if you prefer. Note

There should be no complaints at the dinner table when you present the family with good old fashioned lamb and vegetables. We've made things a little more exciting with the addition of mint sauce; it goes wonderfully with spring lamb.

Pickled plum puree, also known as umeboshi puree, is made from plums (ume) slowly pickled in salt, with Japanese mint (shiso) added for colour and flavour.

For a milder pesto, substitute baby spinach leaves for rocket. Note

Forget strawberyy or raspberry jam, kiwi fruit and apple jam is the perfect preserve. Elevate your dishes in four simple steps.

This risoni and bean salad is robust enough for a light yet satisfying vegetarian lunch, or perfect as a side dish for grilled chicken or steak.

This pudding goes straight to the top of the favorites list when it comes to classic winter warming desserts.

This exceedingly rich, decadent dessert is just the ticket at the end of a long dinner party with friends. Serve with coffee and lots of laughs.

Separate chicken livers into halves by cutting lobes apart. Note

The salad, without the dressing, can be made several hours ahead and refrigerated, covered. Toss the dressing through the salad just before serving. For an even more Mediterranean touch, add about 200g of diced fetta cheese to the salad. Note

Fresh mint adds lightness to this delicious vegetable risotto, a great meat-free dinner option.

Swap chicken stock for vegetable stock. Note

Use barbecued chicken breast with the skin removed, leftover roast chicken, or pan-fried or poached chicken breasts. If making ahead of time, don’t dress the salad until ready to serve. We used a fat-free french vinaigrette, but dress the salad with your favourite fat-free dressing. Note

The sweetness of the dates and the sourness of the tamarind combine to give you wonderful for a sandwich or burger condiment. It is packed full of flavour and spice to create a real taste sensation.

Make this delicious Italian-style broth with chicken & mushroom ravioli to impress dinner guests.