Use any rice you like for this recipe, just make sure it’s cooked properly so every grain is separate. You could use about 3½ cups of cold leftover rice if you happen to have it, if not cook, rinse and drain the rice the day before the picnic. Keep the rice in the fridge. Assemble […]

We used blue-eye in this recipe, but any white fish fillet will be fine. Peri peri, also spelled piri piri, is a hot chilli sauce used in African, Portuguese and Brazilian cookery. It is available from gourmet food stores and most major supermarkets. Note

You’ll have ¾ cup of the cake mixture left over, enough for another three cup cakes. Note

Recipe is best prepared as required. Note

If kipfler potatoes are unavailable you can use baby new potatoes. You could also use aïoli, a garlic mayonnaise, instead of plain mayonnaise, and lemon juice instead of warm water to jazz this salad up. Note

You can buy the roast beef, already cooked and sliced, from any deli. Make the coleslaw the night before, and make the sandwich at lunch time the next day. Use whatever cabbage you like; we used red cabbage, but try the chinese variety (wombok), it’s easy to shred finely. Note

You need 12 skewers; if using bamboo skewers, soak them in water 1 hour before use to prevent splintering or scorching. Note

A rich and creamy red Thai-style curry from Australian Women's Weekly.

Adding avocado to this open sandwich not only adds a rich creamy flavour, it also increases its nutritional value. Avocados are a rich source of potassium and healthy monounsaturated fats that help to lower cholesterol. Use a loaf of ciabatta bread if turkish bread is not available. Note

Wonderfully fresh and light, enjoy these beautiful salmon sashimi stacks as a light lunch, starter on canape.

A quick, easy and flavour-packed Mexican beef stir-fry from Australian Women's Weekly.

Velouté, a white sauce made from roux (a cooked butter and flour mixture) and stock, is one of the five “mother” sauces in French cooking from which all other sauces are derived. Note

Tasty, simple and spicy little lamb kofta that are great for summer lunches, cocktail parties or as spicy snacks.

Panzanella is a traditional Italian bread salad. As a variation, cut the soft white centre of the bread into small cubes, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil; toss until well coated. Place the bread cubes on an oven tray, sprinkle on 2 tablespoons finely grated parmesan and toast in a moderate oven for about 10 […]

Guests can assemble their own tacos at the table. Note

Pickling spice is a mixture of mustard seeds, black peppercorns, dill seeds, allspice and bay leaves. It is available from the spice section in most supermarkets. Note

A light and healthy Indian-style breakfast dish that packs a real flavour punch.

Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. Cut skewers to an appropriate size using scissors, if they are too long. Note

EQUIPMENT 20cm x 25cm (8-inch x 10-inch) rectangular cake board You can use a tub of strawberry frosting, if you prefer, place the frosting in a piping bag fitted with a small fluted tube to pipe the rosettes. Note

If buying prawns in the shell, you will need to buy about 185g uncooked prawns. Note

Although associated with America, the shortcake in fact originated in England and Europe. In England it was known as shortbread, until that name came to be used exclusively for the New Year Scottish shortbreads. Shortcake can be made a week ahead, assemble just before serving. Store covered, in refrigerator freeze shortcake suitable microwave jam suitable. […]

Soak bamboo skewers in cold water for an hour before using to prevent them from splintering and scorching. Note

Late morning is a good time to serve this country breakfast, skipping lunch and going for a long afternoon walk before dinner.

Before starting the recipe, boil the kettle so you have boiling water ready to go into the saucepan to blanch the brussels sprout leaves. You need to plunge the leaves into iced water, so make sure you have some on hand. You could also use a portion of cold-smoked, boneless trout, if you prefer. Note

Pomegranate molasses is available at Middle Eastern food stores and specialty food shops. Note

Bean thread vermicelli is called win sen in Thailand and fun si in China. While it resembles rice vermicelli in appearance, it is tougher and can be quite hard. Soak the vermicelli only long enough to soften otherwise it will become stodgy or start to fragment. This is also a good vermicelli to deep-fry to […]

A bright and summery salad packed full of healthy and crunchy raw vegetables.

Soak bamboo skewers in cold water for at least an hour prior to use, to prevent splintering or scorching. Note

Aïoli can be made easily at home: Combine ½ cup whole-egg mayonnaise and 1 crushed garlic clove in a small bowl. Season to taste. Note

The richness of pork works perfectly with fresh and aromatic flavours, as in the coating mixture and salad for this recipe. Loin chops have a fatty edge ­ trim it if you wish, but don’t remove it as it makes the meat flavoursome and luscious. Note

A sweet, tangy and refreshing sorbetto that is perfect for a summer's evening.

We used blue-eye fillets in this recipe. Note

Delicious summer rolls with red wine marinated sausages and a parsley and chervil salad.

Sun-dried tomato pesto can also be used. Note

Macaroons are available from specialty bakery shops and select supermarkets. We used ganache to cover the cake as it will set and hold the macaroons in place. We bought 15 packets of macaroons to get the 30 pink, 6 brown, 19 vanilla and 18 light brown colours used in this cake. To save money, use […]

Grilled sausages with a colourful and delicious pear and witlof salad.

Use a combination of basil and mint leaves if you cannot find any japanese mint (shiso). You will need half a small jap pumpkin for this recipe. Note

Soak bamboo skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes before using to prevent them scorching during cooking. Note

Did you know? Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a summer squash. Its colour ranges from dark green/black to pale green, green/grey and yellow. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C, fibre and folate. Note

A bright and colourful roasted cherry tomatoes, broccolini and pepitas salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

Store-bought sponge cakes can also be used in this recipe. Note

We used large (25cm diameter) packaged pizza bases for this recipe. Note

Sausage rolls can be made and frozen in advance. Allow an extra 10 minutes when baking from frozen. Middle-Eastern spice blend is available from supermarkets. Substitute with 1 tablespoon each ground cumin and coriander mixed with 1/2 teaspoon each ground turmeric and cardamom. Note

Using wide, tender pappardelle means more surface area to carry that delicious, cheesy, prosciutto-packed carbonara sauce right to your watering mouth.

You can use either red or green apples in this recipe. Note

frittata can be cooked on top of the stove, in a medium lightly oiled slightlysided frying pan, cook on low heat, uncovered, until almost set, then brown frittata under a preheated grill Frittata can be served hot or cold Note

Spaghettini is a very thin spaghetti. It is available from Italian grocery stores and most large supermarkets. Note

We used large (25cm diameter) packaged pizza bases for this recipe. Fontina is an Italian cows-milk cheese that has a smooth but firm texture and a mild, nutty flavour. Mozzarella can be substituted for the fontina. Note

Preserved lemon can be bought in delis and some supermarkets. Remove and discard the flesh then wash and dry the rind before chopping. Note

Can use leftover roast pork or chinese barbecued pork. Note

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

You could use tahini (sesame seed paste) instead of grinding the toasted sesame seeds. Beans or watercress can be used instead of spinach in this salad, and peanuts or macadamia nuts could be substituted for the sesame seeds. If you like, you can sprinkle the cooked spinach with smoked dried bonito flakes. Note

Lamb’s lettuce, also known as mâche or corn salad, is very popular in France. It has a mild, almost nutty flavour and dark green leaves. It is usually sold in 125g punnets, but the leaves probably weigh only about a quarter of that total. Note