Midweek dinner

While Australia doesn't get to experience a white Christmas in December, we are thankful for our annual 'second Christmas' in July, where we can celebrate with fine food, desserts and drinks in the cooler weather. From hearty roasts and warming pies, to luscious cakes and decadent puddings, here you will find a collection of recipes that your family and friends will love. So, put on a Christmas carol and put your feet up and enjoy the holiday spirit all over again.

Packed full of flavour and an easy way to get your five-a-day, plumping for a vegetarian curry for dinner tonight is a surefire way to make your tummy - and everyone else's - happy. And there's plenty to choose from: red tofu curry, Sri Lankan potato and pea curry, paneer and spinach curry... All are hearty, nourishing, and take no time at all to prepare. Still need convincing? Check out that vegetarian Thai yellow curry, bursting with delicate spices and vibrant colours. Too good to resist!

It's hearty, it's earthy and it's definitely worth getting red juice on your hands for: beetroot is one of those oft-forgotten, versatile vegetables that deserves to be the main attraction in more than just a burger-with-the-lot. From soups to salads, tarts to cakes, beetroot will bring a depth of flavour - and a delicious sweetness - to just about any dish. What are you waiting for?

Why not give kale a go?

Salads aren't just for the warmer weather; in fact, winter salads that make use of fresh, seasonal produce are some of our favourites. Look for roasted veg like pumpkin and beetroot, Brussels sprouts and carrots for a heartier, season-appropriate version of your lunchtime staple, and don't forget to add plump, juicy citrus fruits for a truly delicious meal!

Sure, you can get pumpkin year-round in Australia, but it really comes into its own when winter rolls around. Hearty and warming, cooking with pumpkin guarantees a nourishing meal that will make everyone forget about the cold outside. And with so many delicious pumpkin recipes to choose from (think classic pumpkin soup, spicy pumpkin curries and filling pumpkin pies) even the meat-eaters will find it hard to resist any of these amazing vegetarian pumpkin recipes.

The benefits of using a slow cooker are endless; not only does it add ease and convenience to your cooking, but it allows you to create beautifully tender, fragrant and hearty one-pot meals every time, without fail. Simply pop your ingredients in your slow cooker, and come back to a delicious dinner. Too easy!

This popular orange vegie, known as kumara or sweet potato, is most often cooked as part of a side of roast potatoes to accompany beef or lamb. But this versatile root vegetable can actually be tasty component to many dishes, with everything from savoury curries and soups, to homemade crispy fries and pizza, and sweet desserts. It's also naturally low in GI, providing a healthy, slow-releasing carb option, and a filling addition to many dishes. Whether it's dinner or dessert, dig in!

Eggs for dinner? Yes, please! Make your evening a whole lot simpler with one of these quick, healthy and utterly delicious egg recipes. Stick to breakfast favourites like scrambled eggs with smashed avocado, or have a bit of fun with cheesy sausage and batter bake, or pumpkin filo pie. It's time to get the humble egg working for you for every meal!

Traditional Greek food brings to mind hot, clear days on sandy beaches, white-washed houses and bright blue tiles. Ready to get on a plane yet? Luckily these gorgeously easy Greek recipes will do in the meantime; from mouthwatering lamb souvlaki to everyone's favourite Greek salad, Greek roast lamb to delicious little loukoumades, it'll feel like you're across the Mediterranean from your very own backyard.

There's nothing like a steaming bowl of hearty, nourishing stew when the wind is howling and the rain is falling outside, and these delicious stew recipes are so gorgeous, you'll be wishing for cooler weather just for an excuse to simmer up a pot. For the vegies, you've got to try the Moroccan chickpea stew, and for the carnivores? You can't go past the slow-cooker beef, mushroom and red wine stew. Now all that's left to do is pop your slippers on and curl up in front of a fire. Bliss.

What did the cheese say when it saw itself in the mirror? Haloumi! Sorry... Luckily, these incredible vegetarian haloumi recipes are a lot better than that joke; with gorgeously dense pides, light and flavoursome salads and moreish pasta dishes to choose from, you'll never be stuck for inspiration for your favourite cheese again. First up for us? Has to be those mouth-watering harissa haloumi burgers. BBQ, anyone?

Risotto is one of those dishes that sounds a lot trickier to make than it actually is. But if you give it your full attention for half an hour, you can have a hearty, warming dish on the table in next to no time at all. Plus, it's a great make-ahead meal; cook up a big pot on Sunday afternoon, and you've got lunches made for the coming week. Delve into the world of easy risotto recipes with this delicious collection!

The mouth-watering aroma of a frying pan full of hot, healthy, sizzling fritters will bring everyone running to the table, and for good reason. Packed full of vegies and utterly satisfying, they can be enjoyed at any time of day, for any meal; serve with a tangy yoghurt dressing for lunch, a light salad for dinner, or outside in the sun with hot coffee for a treat-yourself Sunday breakfast. And the best part? They're ready to eat in no time at all.

It's fairly safe to assume that everyone has at least one bag of dried pasta in their kitchen cupboard, and for good reason; pasta is one of those ingredients that can transform in to a hearty, comforting dish at a moment's notice. And if you're looking for some inspiration to take your dinner staple to the next level, these amazingly tasty pasta recipes will do the trick.

Whether you like it hot, mild, packed full of meat or veggie-based, we've got a curry to suit every taste. Close your eyes and be tantalised by the exotic aromas and flavours from all around Asia... from an Indian beef rogan josh to a creamy Malaysian fish curry and a classic Thai Massaman, we've ticked all the boxes to bring you the best collection of curry recipes. Get the saucepan simmering and delight your loved ones with warming dishes they'll love.

The world is your oyster (mushroom) when it comes to cooking with funghi; with so many types to choose from, and so many dishes they can be added to, you'll never get bored of this versatile veg. For a warming, comforting winter dish reach for a creamy mushroom risotto, or for a light and flavourful dinner, check out the free-form mushroom tart. And for a vegie alternative to beef wellington, whip up a batch of our mushroom version; you won't be disappointed.

Simple to make and packed with rich, delicious flavours, these hearty stew and casserole recipes are like being hugged from inside.

Making pizza at home is easier than you think. And it's tastier and far better for you than the takeaway variety. From the classic dough for the base to dozens of scrumptious toppings, our recipes will satisfy your every pizza craving. The kids will love our margherita, supreme, pepperoni and ham and pineapple pizzas. But there are also some interesting new takes on the family favourite, pizza. Try it middle eastern style, or Indian-inspired with our naan pumpkin pizza.

There's plenty of new food to look forward to once the weather starts to cool, with an influx of fresh, autumnal produce, plenty of warming stews and, of course, bowls of hearty soups. These are our absolute favourites, the ones to reach for when you're craving a bit of comfort, warmth and nourishing. From classic chicken noodle soups to Chinese vegetable broths, plus creamy pumpkin soup and a curried soup with a kick, you'll be wishing the weather could stay cool all year round.

Food To Love is the new online destination for all the best tips, advice and recipes from The Australian Women's Weekly.

From hearty Winter soups to an easy red chicken curry and delicious beef ragu, you'll have dinner on the table in no time with our collection of Women's Weekly recipes. They are sure to please the whole family! There are even a couple of healthy salad options if you prefer something a little lighter.

Whether you're a vegetarian or just lightening things up a little with meat-free meals, our fresh, colourful recipes will make sure you don't go hungry. And with tofu, couscous and plenty of greens there's no need to worry about getting all the nutrients and iron your body needs. And the kids will especially love the Mexican lasagne and fried rice. Being vegetarian doesn't mean going without and can be just as satisfying after a long day. So start chopping those veggies and enjoy.

Cooking for a family after a full day's work can be a challenge and making something the kids will love can be even harder. But we've got the solution to your last-minute dinner dilemmas. From fajitas and fried rice to pasta and pork chops, these recipes are fun, healthy and ready in 30 minutes or less.

If there's one thing that Australians do well it's a hearty, mouthwatering pie. Whether it's dinner or dessert, there is nothing quite like a freshly-baked pie. Keep it classic with steak and kidney or shepherd's pie. Or maybe try something different with a nachos filling or tuna, cauliflower and cheese. There are even vegetarian recipes like our tasty spinach and ricotta option. And if you're craving something sweet after dinner tuck into our banoffee or apple pies. There's nothing better!

Just because you're watching your diet doesn't mean you need to skimp on flavour. These low-fat winners include healthy breakfasts, flavoursome lunch and dinner recipes and beautiful desserts. From our soups and stir-fries, to our zucchini fritters and pork rolls, there's something for everyone here. And if you've got a sweet tooth, we haven't forgotten you. You'll love our crumpets with berry compote and rhubarb souffle.

It's quick. It's simple. And it's a weeknight staple in so many households. These pasta recipes will inspire you, making sure your bowl never gets boring. From family favourites such as spaghetti bolognese and an easy to make lasagne, to a hearty spinach and ricotta cannelloni that will satisfy any vegetarians, our recipes will keep you inspired. The kids will love our cheesy pasta bake. And our crab spaghetti in a bag will take your mid-week pasta dinner to a whole new level.

Italian food is all about flavour and simplicity but it is so much more than a margherita pizza or spaghetti bolognese. We still have all the classics from our traditional lasagnes, quick and easy risottos to our mouthwatering pizzas but we've included some lesser-known favourites that certainly won't disappoint. With roast pork and tantalising goat's cheese pappardelle, you'll be singing amore all night. You can have many of our delicious recipes on the table in thirty minutes or less!