Less than 60 minutes

You will need about 1 bunch of silver beet for this recipe. Silver beet is high in non-haeme iron, which is important in a vegetarian diet. Iron from plant sources isn’t absorbed as well as haeme iron from meat. Including vitamin C either in the dish (we used lemon juice in this recipe) or with […]

Remember this rockin' cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook? It's sure to be a favourite among the kids, even after all these years.

With a dash of mustard, this flavourful pork makes for the perfect sandwich filling.

To decorate allow for another 200 grams (6½ ounces) fresh raspberries Note

These maple-glazed vegetables are the perfect accompaniment to any roast dinner.

A simple yet rich and delicious Thai-style red chicken curry from Australian Women's Weekly.

Speculaas are a Dutch Christmas biscuit traditionally made in wooden moulds. If you have them, dust with cornflour or flour; press dough mixture into moulds then draw a knife across the surface to scrape off excess. Turn mould over and slap hard to loosen biscuits onto oven trays. Dust mould with flour between each biscuit. […]

50cm-square prepared cake board. Most children love lamingtons. We’ve used a lot of them to make this spectacular pyramid ­ just watch it be devoured. Don’t forget a desert-sand coloured background. For an Egyptian-themed party have the guests come in fancy dress. Note

The crumbles can be made in individual dishes and frozen, before baking, for up to 2 months. Note

You need four passionfruit to get the required amount of pulp. Note

Spicy date pudding with butterscotch sauce

EQUIPMENT Deep 22cm (9-inch) square cake pan 35cm (14-inch) square cake board DECORATIONS 500g ready-made white icing pure icing (confectioners’) sugar, for dusting 2 black licorice straps chess pieces Chess has long been considered the sport of kings and aristocrats. If you have a grand master in the making, this is the cake that will […]

Place pretzels in a zip-lock plastic bag; crush roughly with a rolling pin. Combine pretzels with butter and cheeses in a medium bowl. You can make the candied bacon a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Turn the traditional vegetable stew into a tasty soup and elevate it with a fresh basil pistou.

This dish is the perfect summer curry. Not too rich but packed to the brim with flavour. You'll be going back for seconds every time.

You need one small overripe banana (130g) for the amount of mashed banana used in this recipe. Whoopie pies are best eaten the day they are made. Note

This cake is best eaten on the day it is made. It is important not to over beat this cake mixture, or the sour cream will slip to the base of the pan. Note

Savoury pancakes are just as delicious as sweet and it's these ricotta and basil pancakes that will wow. Served with a tomato and rocket salad, this healthy, tasty meal is perfect for any time of day.

Skordalia is a thick dip in Greek cuisine usually made of garlic and potatoes.

While this recipe is geared for autumn, you can swap ingredients for the seasons; in spring, use broad beans instead of borlotti beans and bitter salad greens instead of radicchio.

Serve risotto quickly after stirring the radicchio through the rice, as the radicchio will discolour from the heat. This recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

Meat filling can be prepared a day ahead. Note

Wrap the steamer lid in a clean tea towel to avoid condensation drops falling onto the custards. Cook custards in two batches if they don’t all fit in your steamer. Note

A bold and hearty stew that celebrates the warmth of fresh spices and tender beef cheeks. This winter staple is best made in an electric pressure cooker which significantly cuts down on the cooking time.

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

This king of the jungle cake will be a hit with young explorers at a jungle-themed safari. If the weather is wet or humid, chop the Violet Crumble bars and position them on the cake just before the party, as the damp air will make them sticky. You’ll have about 1 cup of cake mixture […]

Packaged cupcakes usually come iced, however, you can ice over the top with the frosting or remove the icing. Place the muffins in matching paper cases, if you like. Note

You need to buy half a large barbecued chicken (450g) to get the amount of shredded meat required for this recipe. Note

The gherkins will lose their colour gradually during storage. This does not affect their taste or texture in any way. Note

Soft fresh goat cheese can be substituted for fetta, if desired. Note

Peppermint essence is an extract of distilled peppermint leaves Note

It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. You can use any dried fruit in place of the raisins in this recipe such as dried apricots or peaches. Note

Pepato is an Italian sheep’s milk cheese, most often pecorino, studded with peppercorns. It is available from some delicatessens and specialty cheese shops. If you can’t find it, use pecorino or parmesan cheese with a good grinding of black pepper. Note

If you cannot find doongara rice, use white long-grain rice instead. Doongara rice was developed and is grown in Australia. It’s a white, long-grain rice similar to basmati, and has a higher content of amylose (starch) than other rice, which means it is more slowly digested ­ it has a lower glycaemic index than most […]

You need about 2 large trimmed rhubarb stems for this recipe. Muffins can be served warm or at room temperature. Note

The peanut sauce can be made in a food processor or blender instead of a mortar and pestle. You need about a quarter of a small cauliflower for this recipe. Note

We used a low-calorie packet of jelly crystals because we wanted the cranberry and raspberry flavour but you can use any jelly crystals you like, as long as it makes 2 cups (500ml) jelly; raspberry, port wine and cherry-flavoured jelly would all work well. Note

We used Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs available in most supermarkets. Note

This soup is great for lunch at the office or for a picnic. If a microwave is not available for reheating the soup, pack it in a preheated insulated flask. Note

Healthy, delicious and authentic Asian-style chicken and water chestnut tofu pouches.

These pork rolls are a tasty starter before a main course of fried rice or a bowl of chicken broth with rice noodles.

Butterflied chickens are available from specialist chicken and butcher shops. Note

Allen’s Teeth and Milk Bottles can be found in packets of Allen’s Teeth `n’ Stuff and Allen’s Retro Party Mix. Note

Thai sticky rice (also known as glutinous' or sweet' rice) is a short, fat and chalky white rice that becomes soft and sticky once cooked.

There are many classic Chinese dishes that marry duck and sichuan pepper. In this recipe, the fresh-flavoured salad sets off the spicy union to perfection.

Delicious little French croquettes with a tangy caramelised onions from Australian Women's Weekly.

If you can’t find corella pears, use four beurre bosc pears instead. The same quantity of red wine can be used in place of the port; the end result may not be as sweet, so adjust sweetening accordingly. Pears can be reheated gently in the syrup, or served cold. You can sprinkle some fine strips […]

You will need a pasta machine, cannoli moulds (8cm long and 2cm wide/3¼-inch x ¾-inch) and a piping bag fitted with a 1cm (½-inch) plain tube for this recipe. Note

If you can’t buy shelled pistachios, soak shelled nuts in boiling water for about 5 minutes, drain, then pat dry with absorbent paper. Rub skins with a cloth to peel. Note

You need about 3 large passionfruit for this recipe. Note

Salad can be prepared several hours ahead and kept, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Tender spiced lamb with a fruity couscous packed full of oranges, dates and walnuts.

This curried beef and lentil dish is simple, spicy and so easy to make.

Equipment 3 x 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pans 36 standard paper cases (18 yellow, 18 red) 45cm-square prepared cake board Decorations 1 Killer Python 3 snakes (2 blue, 1 green) 4 x 25g Curly Wurly bars Smarties Piping takes a little skill, practice on a flat surface before you pipe the numbers on the cakes. […]

Ask the butcher for a 2-metre (6½-foot) length of unlinked sausages. Alternatively, you can unlink a length of sausages and use short lengths together to form the spiral. If your barbecue doesn’t include a flat plate, cook the capsicum mixture in a heavy-based frying pan on the barbecue. Note

To make cheesy polenta; bring the water to the boil in large saucepan; gradually stir in polenta. Reduce heat; cook, stirring, about 10 minutes or until polenta thickens. Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Stand 3 minutes before serving. Note

Grapefruit probably got their name because they grow in clusters like grapes. Pink or ruby grapefruit have coral-pink flesh and shell- pink skin, and are sweeter and juicier than the yellow-skinned variety. Grenadine is a deep-red syrup based on pomegranate juice and used to both colour and sweeten desserts and drinks. Some versions of grenadine […]

A warming and delicious spicy prawn and bean hotpot from Australian Women's Weekly.

There are some great gluten-free wraps and pizza bases available at supermarkets; to save time use these for the pizza base. Note

You could also make this cake in a deep 18cm round cake pan. This cake is best made on day of serving. Note

This hearty roasted pumpkin and tomato soup is a fantastic warming winter dish.