Dinner party

This rustic terrine makes a lovely lunch or starter. Serve with crusty french bread and cornichons (gherkins), if desired.

Served alongside some sliced barbecued duck, this zesty Asian salad is full of spice and packs a punch.

A berry cheesecake filling sits atop a crisp meringue nest in this impressive dessert.

low GI Cooked rösti can be stored in the refrigerator overnight and reheated in a sandwich press. Note

The beauty of the macaron lies in its versatility; they can be enhanced with all manner of exotic flavours and be equally delicious. Try these lemon and basil beauties for a grown up version of this most delicious sweet treat.

This delicious salad is bursting with bright Spanish-inspired flavours.

Chermoula can be made a day ahead; cover, refrigerate. Note

These fluffy potato gnocchi make classic Italian comfort food, served in a creamy basil pesto sauce.

Adjust the spice in this dish to suit your taste; we think the spicier the better! Team with a steaming bowl of rice and some bok choy for a complete meal that everyone will love.

Affogato is a popular Italian dessert that often combines coffee with ice-cream and often, a splash of booze. We've used Irish cream here, but you could substitute your favourite liqueur.

These tomato, zucchini and anchovy tarts are perfect treats for dinner parties or picnics.

When fish is steamed in this way it is beautifully moist and tender and falls off the bone. The banana leaves create a touch of authenticity, while hot and sour Asian flavours complete this traditional dish.

Slice avocado just before assembling the salad. You can substitute prawns or lobster for the balmain bugs, if you prefer. You can use opal basil leaves, instead of the sweet leaves, if preferred. Tomatoes can be browned on an oven tray under a grill or in a hot oven. This recipe can be made with […]

Crispy and spicy, lime and coconut prawns make a great share platter for parties or a starter for a dinner party.

Tomato dip is best made close to serving. Note

Serve these moreish little bites at your next gathering and watch as they quickly disappear.

Heady with Moroccan seasoning, this lamb with chickpea and almond rice makes a great lunch or light dinner.

Warm, fragrant and delicious, this potato, prawn and scallop salad makes a great starter or lunch.

Been searching for the perfect sauce to complete your meal? Look no further; this thick and easy gravy is sure to become a favourite with its rich flavours.

The robust flavour of kingfish compliments the fennel beautifully. Swordfish will work equally as well. Either way, served with a green salad and grilled cherry tomatoes.you have a healthy, delicious and low-carb meal.

Pasta salad is best made on the morning it will be consumed. Note

Served with grilled pita bread, this beautiful slow-cooked lamb stew is just what you need on a cold day.

Packed with vegetables and spices, these colourful pakoras make excellent finger food.

This stunning salmon dish is perfect for a special occasion such as Christmas.

So popular is this delectable French biscuit, that it has its own day on which it is celebrated. March 20 is unofficially 'Macaron Day', and participating bakeries offer customers free samples. With this recipe, you can make your own!

Some occasions call for a more sophisticated kind of sweetness, complex flavours rather than pure sugariness. If you're after something memorable, this rich red wine chocolate cake is an elegant, refined confection.

A little bit sticky and a little bit spicy, these pork chops won't disappoint, especially not with side of crunchy coleslaw. If you prefer, you could substitute the blue cheese for feta.

Impress your guests this autumn with this simple, stunning dessert. The addition of thickened cream sweetened with maple syrup rather than the usual sugar is simply perfect.

A classic British dish in canapé form.

Slow cooked beef pot roast with root vegetables has the house smelling gorgeous all afternoon.

A fresh herb crust for lamb takes an already-succulent meat to the next level. This coating leaves out the breadcrumbs, so when you tuck in, the coating won’t crumble off, and you can savour every mouthful. All it needs is a simple side of smashed potatoes.

This is warming comfort food at its best. Don’t let the long cooking time put you off. You’ll spend very little time at the stove before the pan goes in the oven.

These easy individual tiramisus require no cooking and are perfect for a dinner party.

This delicate pasta dish combines the loveliest of summer flavours.

Autumn figs and blue cheese combine beautifully with hot steak, asparagus and brandy gravy.

We've foregone the classic version of this drink for a little sweetness. James Bond might frown, but we love it.

Dusted with cocoa, these elegant chocolate soufflés are well worth the effort of making, especially served with a big dollop of spiked mascarpone.

These barbecued prawns with a spicy, Indian-style marinade make a fabulous starter, or a platter of finger food for passing round at a party.

Moroccan spice mix and preserved lemon have the ability to transform the humble chicken thigh from a tasty cut of meat, to a sensation dish. Don't be tempted to substitute chicken breast, the thigh is much more tender, succulent and flavourful.

These bite-sized morsels of trout and pomelo salad are mouth-watering with hits of flavour from roasted peanut nam jim, fresh ginger, coconut and lime.

Fennel adds a fresh astringency to a savoury prawn risotto.

This pudding is also great served topped with fresh mango slices, instead of the banana, if you like. Sago is a grain often used in puddings and desserts; it is available from some supermarkets and most health-food stores.

Serve up this winter warming mixed mushroom risotto for dinner tonight. It's full of flavour and perfect if you're after a vegetarian meal that will be more than substantial.

Only fresh blueberries can be used in this recipe, as frozen berries will tint the sangria. Note

Few can resist a perfectly roasted pork belly. This recipe is dead easy to follow and there is no reason why the result won't be crispy crunch crackling and succulent, tender meat that falls apart at the merest touch of a fork.

This colourful vegetarian paella strays slightly from the traditional form, but is well worth the adaptation.

OK these can be a little fiddly, but we've used ready made wonton wrappers here so that makes things a little easier, and just as delicious. Your guests will be impressed!

Some mussels may not open during cooking. You do not have to discard these; just cook a little longer, or carefully prise the shell open with a knife. Note

These pear and marzipan tartlets would not look out of place in the display cabinet of the most upmarket French pâtisserie. Don't let their delicate appearance fool you, they're surprisingly simple to make.

The frittata can be made a day ahead, and kept, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

A light broth with slices of tender chicken, fresh peas and asparagus spears, this soup makes an excellent starter for a dinner party.

This zesty crumbed fish is packed with flavor and crunch. Perfect for a simple dinner with family or friends.

These tender beef steaks with creamy mushroom sauce go perfectly with homemade fries.

Any type of sashimi-quality white fish can be used for this recipe; we used kingfish. Note

Moist, dense and dripping with syrup, this chocolate orange polenta cake is a very grown-up way to recapture a childhood love for jaffa cakes.

This is a rich and sophisticated dessert that makes an elegant end to a special dinner.

These individual chicken, thyme and brandy pâtés make a great starter for a special dinner. You can use another dessert wine in place of the botrytis semillon if you prefer.

A cool and classy take on an Australian Christmas classic.

This rich mocha cake with coffee syrup is pudding-like, darkly sweet and entirely satisfying.

We found the brown-skinned beurre bosc pears worked best for this recipe. Note

The rich flavour of fresh prawns stand up well to the robustness of a red curry. Serve with a steaming bowl of rice and an icy-cold beer and pretend you're on the beaches of Thailand.

Marinated in Japanese flavours, this deep-fried snapper is crisp on the outside and flaky on the inside.

Papaya salsa makes a piquant dressing for this delicious grilled barramundi.

New York steak, sometimes called boneless sirloin, is a tender and tasty cut. Serve it up with home cut chips, rocket salad and this slow-roasted tomato & jalapeño ketchup for a relaxed meal with friends.

These delicious risotto-filled zucchini flowers are a real treat for guests, though you could simply use lemon and chilli ricotta if you want a simpler recipe.

Here is a classic Asian dish that works every time; steaming will give you a soft, moist and tender flesh that slides right off the bone. Go heavy or light on the chilli, depending on your personal heat threshold.

You can substitute ½ teaspoon ground turmeric for the saffron to achieve the right colour. Note

To remove pomegranate seeds: cut the pomegranate in half crossways, and using your fingers, scrape the seeds from the flesh while holding the pomegranate upside-down in a bowl of cold water; the seeds will sink and the white pith will float to the surface. Discard the pith, and drain the seeds before using. Note

Once filled, the choux will soften, so assemble 1-2 hours before eating. Note

Apple, celery and pork are a classic, mouth-watering trio in this easy dish.

This beautiful risotto is effortless yet brimming with flavour.

Using thigh cutlets in this way rather than the whole bird shortens the roasting time. The thigh is also the most succulent and flavoursome part of the chicken.

Forget about foil, baking a whole snapper in a salt crust will keep it moist and impart great flavour to the flesh, not to mention look enormously impressive when served.

These mango cremes are quick and easy to make and you can pop them in the fridge early in the day, ready for dessert later in the evening. You could serve them with berries for an extra splash of colour, if you like.

Crunchy fresh pita crisps make a great shared party platter when paired with a freshly made dip, like this butter bean concoction.

This leek and saffron sauce goes beautifully with fish and also as an accompaniment to grilled chicken breasts; pan-fried pork cutlets and steamed greens, such as asparagus and broccoli.

Rich and warmly spiced, this baked cheesecake with fig and orange makes an excellent dessert or mid-afternoon treat.

The lobster meat in the tail is the sweetest and most delicately flavoured. Enjoy this decadent salad.

Pork is a rich and appetising meat, and its cooking aroma is like no other. Pork neck is incredibly versatile and can be prepared in many ways; here the whole piece is braised, and the result is wonderfully moist and full of flavour.

Inserting the stuffing between the skin and meat of the breast prevents it from drying out while cooking, as well as infusing the meat with flavour.

The great thing about using Japanese pumpkin for this pumpkin with balsamic and pine nuts recipe is that the skin is edible, so there's no need to waste time cutting it off. This makes a great side dish for a roast leg of lamb.

Spice up your beef rib roast, the king of roasts, with spiced salt and serve with luscious garlic mayonnaise on the side.

This decadent, creamy salmon mousse served with crisp toasts is so easy to make and perfect for a cocktail party.

Slice this delicious pork loin thickly and serve with roasted vegetables; there'll be no complaints. To make sure the crackling maintains its crunchy deliciousness, don't cover it too tightly when resting the meat.