Gin comes in differing styles, with juniper berry the principle flavour. Choose one with added botanicals (components derived from plants), which will give the cocktail a more rounded, complex taste. Note

Try this healthy and simple Asian noodle stir fry for a midweek dinner.

If you have time, marinate the steaks, covered, for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Note

To toast sesame seeds, spread them on shallow tray, bake in a moderate oven five minutes, or until golden. 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

Recipe is best prepared as required. Note

Chicken can be prepared and stuffed with cheese a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Remove toothpicks before serving. Note

You could add 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger to the broth for extra flavour, if you like. Note

You can use a mixture of grilled eggplant, capsicum and sun-dried tomatoes for the antipasto vegetables. Grilled artichokes and mushrooms could also be used. 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

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

You need 12 medium passionfruit for this recipe. Note

This tasty vegetarian twist on the classic Aussie seafood dish switches squid for tofu. It works perfectly here with a crispy, spiced batter and a zesty Asian inspired salad.

A delicious soup full of seasonal spring vegetables.

This deliciously fragrant and warming Italian soup combines zucchini flowers and sweet peas to create a brilliant vegetarian meal. Serve topped with a crumbly pangrattato for a restaurant quality dish at home.

If you can’t buy hokkien noodles, use fresh wide egg noodles. 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

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 […]

Check for bones; pull them out with clean tweezers. Serve salmon with steamed rice and a green salad. Note

Chapatis are available in packets of 6 from the bakery section in supermarkets. You can substitute any variety of flour tortillas, if preferred. Note

This is my own variation on the simple, classic omelette from Spain which usually has just onions, garlic and potatoes as the basis.

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

Aromatic Asian-style ginger tuna with an exquisite wasabi cream.

If you don’t have metal skewers, use bamboo skewers ­ soak them in cold water while the prawns are in the fridge. Note

Crunchy crumbed chicken schnitzel with a fresh and zingy coleslaw,

Delicious, thin and crunchy Belgian-style chocolate hazelnut thins.

Warm risoni pasta creates a perfect base to let the vegetables shine in this dish fresh and easy dish that only takes 30 minutes to make.

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

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 […]

Recipe best made just before serving. Coppa is salted and dried pork. 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

For shallow-frying, add enough oil to come halfway up the side of the food to be fried. Aioli is garlic mayonnaise, available from the condiment aisle in most super markets. Note

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

A quick and easy ricotta ravioli with pumpkin and sage sauce for a busy midweek Italian dinner.

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

It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Mini pavlova shells are available from most supermarkets. You need six passionfruit for this recipe. Note

Soak the bamboo skewers in warm water for at least 15 minutes to prevent them burning during cooking. You can replace the prawns with squid or mixed seafood and serve with a good mayonnaise or aioli from your supermarket. Note

Traditionally this recipe is known as char kway teow. Dried chinese sausages, also called lop chong, are usually made from pork. They are red-brown in colour and sweet-spicy in flavour. They are available in all Asian grocery stores. Note

Labne can be left to drain and thicken, still weighted, in the fridge for up to three days. Note

Soak the skewers in cold water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. For optimum flavour, marinate the chicken overnight. Note

You could substitute the bacon and chorizo with ham and mild salami if you prefer. Note

Fresh lychees can be substituted for canned ones if you like. You can use pineapple and pineapple juice instead of lychees for a different flavour. This sauce also goes well with fried tofu, grilled chicken breasts or steamed greens. Note

Salad is best prepared on the day of serving. The potatoes can be served warm or cold. 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 […]

Warn your guests that the sugar on the pineapple will be extremely hot. Note

A light and healthy pasta salad packed full of salami, bocconcini, olives and cherry tomatoes.

Patties can be made a day before the party, keep them covered in the fridge. The sauce can be made a week before the party, keep covered in the fridge. Assemble the burgers up to 3 hours before the party. Note

You can substitute cooked crab meat for the prawns in this salad. Note

Kumara slices can be baked several hours ahead. Keep covered. Assemble salad and add dressing just before serving. Note

Strawberries are jam-packed with the good health-promoting vitamins A and C. Note

Brown rice vinegar, made from brown rice, has been called the eastern version of apple cider vinegar, although its mild flavour has a subtle sweetness and about half the sharpness. It is available from Asian grocery stores and some health-food stores Note

Fajita seasoning spice mix adds an authentic Mexican flavour to foods; it is a blend of herbs and spices, and may include cumin, chilli, garlic, capsicum, oregano, coriander and onion. Use a mild chilli seasoning, if you prefer. Beef eye fillet can be expensive, buy beef strips or stir-fry beef to make this a cheap […]