Less than 15 minutes

Give the traditional gingerbread people an Aussie spin with these adorable gingerbread biscuits dressed in their togs!

If you don’t have leftover mashed potato, prepared mashed potato is available from the vegetable section of most large supermarkets. Note

Traditionally served as an accompaniment to spicy dishes, this recipe would also make a great light vegetarian starter. Note

You need to buy half a small barbecued chicken for this recipe. Note

Makes enough for six 210g servings of fried chicken drumettes. Note

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

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

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

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

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

Use a wooden spoon to make a whirlpool in the water before adding the egg, if you like; however, it’s best to poach just one egg at a time this way, as it gets a bit tricky whirl pooling the water once there’s more than one egg in it. Note

Malibu is the brand name of a rum-based coconut liqueur. Note

Vary the fruit according to your taste and what’s in season; just make sure you use the same amounts. Note

To use preserved lemon, remove and discard the pulp, squeeze the juice from the rind, then rinse the rind well; chop the rind finely. If preferred, substitute 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon rind at each stage for the preserved lemon. Note

A bright and colourful summer olive salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

To fold the cream and egg whites into the chocolate mousse mixture, use a large flat rubber spatula. Note

Ghee is good to cook with as it doesn’t burn as quickly as butter. If you prefer, use 30g unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil for frying. Micro cress is a cress that has been harvested at seedling stage. It is available at speciality greengrocers and markets. Micro cress is highly perishable, so must […]

We rimmed the cocktail glass with pink sugar; simply add a drop of red food colouring to sugar and mix well. Note

Coleslaw is a great crunchy addition to sandwiches. It can have just about anything in it as long as shredded cabbage is the chief ingredient. Most coleslaws also have grated carrot and a mayonnaise or vinegar (or both) dressing. Note

Peri peri prawn and coleslaw tortillas

These delicious and crunchy little garlic and chive croûtons will spruce up any leafy salad.

An exquisite peppered pork dish that can be whipped up for dinner parties in no time.

These fragrant and spicy lamb skewers are great for sharing with friends and family.

An essential on pub menus across the UK, a ploughman’s lunch is at its most basic, cheese, pickle of some kind and bread. It’s thought to have originated as a ploughboy’s lunch, but variations on the theme are wide, with cold meats and vegetables now common features. Any combination of cheese and pickles will work […]

A light salad that packs a flavourful punch through the roquefort cheese and dijon dressing.

Pie can be prepared a day ahead. Note

You can substitute dried apricots or apple rings for the dried pears, if you like. Note

Each of these four recipes makes 24 shooters so you need a minimum 24 (40ml) shot glasses. Note

Macaroons are available from specialty bakery shops and select supermarkets. If you can’t find them, any small round filled biscuit will do. Try mini Oreos or mini Wagon Wheels, or Monte Carlos. Note

Snow pea sprouts and pea tendrils can be hard to get sometimes, use bean sprouts or any other type of sprouts instead. Note

Make your own rosemary and lemon cured beef to sit atop crisp sourdough toasts with sour cream - perfect for a canape or starter at your next dinner party.

Moroccan-style couscous spiced with harissa; a great side served with saucy meat dishes.

You could use pastrami, shaved turkey or chicken breast instead of the beef. Note

Sichuan is a province in southwest China known for its abundant use of chilli and eye-wateringly fiery dishes.

Recipe is best prepared as required. Note

An exquisite and wholesome smoked chicken, radicchio and basil salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

Buy greek or lebanese baklava from specialty shops, delicatessens or some coffee shops. Note

It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Note

Lassis are yoghurt-based drinks which are an excellent cooling foil for a fiery Indian curry. Note

This recipe is best made close to serving. Not suitable to microwave. Not suitable to freeze. Note

Blue cheeses are mould-treated cheeses mottled with blue veining. Varieties range from firm and crumbly stilton types to mild, creamy brie-like cheeses. Use a firm and crumbly blue cheese for this recipe. Note

This recipe is also nut-free, gluten-free and egg-free. Note

Peach & vanilla yoghurt fools

A delicious side dish of spicy couscous salad packed with pine nuts, red onion, currants and harissa.

Soak 12 bamboo skewers in water for at least 1 hour prior to use, to prevent them from scorching and splintering. If using metal skewers, oil them first to stop the prawns from sticking. Note

A light and zesty Italian-style dish that is a great summery dessert.

Use focaccia, bagels, bread rolls or any other kind of bread. Note