Midweek dinner

Similar to ravioli, agnolotti are tiny pillows of pasta stuffed with one of any manner of different fillings. You can buy these already made, sold in cryovac packages, in the refrigerated section of your supermarket or fresh from specialty pasta makers. Note

Koftas are simply minced meat mixed with spices, and often onions, and rolled shape, although in many Arab countries they are shaped into ovals.

This colourful, veggie-packed frittata is delicious hot or cold at any time of the day.

Pesto, from the verb 'pestare' in Italian, means pounded. Pesto pre-dates tomato sauces. It originates in Roman times.

Made completely from scratch, the dough is the key component to this tasty double-crust pizza.

If you can't get a pre-made marinara mix, your fishmonger will happily make one up for you including all of your favourite seafood. There are no real rules, but select seafood that will hold its shape well, and be careful not to overcook it.

Butterflied sardines are boneless with the two fillets attached. To do this yourself, cut off the head just behind the gills. With a small knife, cut along the belly, from head to tail then open out. Holding the spine at head end, pull it down firmly towards the tail end and snip with scissors to […]

For a more intense flavour, marinate the pork for 3 hours or overnight. Note

Spicy lamb wraps with a red salad of cabbage, beetroot and red onion served with harissa yoghurt.

Deglazing: This is the initial step in making a sauce that incorporates the browned bits sticking to the bottom of a pan in which meat has been cooked. A small amount of liquid is added to any remaining meat juices in the pan, then over heat, the pan is scraped to loosen the browned caramelised […]

Döner kebab is a Turkish dish made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It can be made using chicken or beef.

Yakitori, grilled chicken, is commonly a Japanese type of skewered chicken.

This chicken pilaf is a hearty and aromatic winter warming meal. The taste and smell of the dish will have everyone rushing to the dinner table and asking for seconds.

Soba are Japanese buckwheat noodles and are great served hot or cold. They are available in selected supermarkets and Asian grocery stores. Note

Loaded with vegies, this tasty chicken and mushroom stir-fry makes an ideal weeknight dinner.

Fragrant, fresh and zingy green mango salad on betel leaves.

The cut known as chicken kiev is a breast of chicken with the wing bone attached; this gives a small jutting-out bone on each fillet. It is available from poultry shops. Note

This technique, also known as en papillote, steams food in a closed pouch made from baking paper or foil. The parcel keeps the fish moist, and retains the flavour of the vegetables. Serve the food in the pouch at the table. Note

Slow-cooker meals are a blessing during the working week, especially in the colder months. Let this lamb, spinach and chickpea pilaf greet you at the end of a busy day.

Vegetarian casseroles are a great way to get a lot of veggies in a tasty, hassle free way.

There's no need to get your boning knife out for this simple, tasty lamb leg with garlic and thyme, just ask your butcher to butterfly a leg of lamb for you.

Dill and salmon are a delicious pair in this easy, creamy risotto.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

It's hard to eat poorly when you've got a carton of eggs in the fridge, even if there's little else around. Eggs represent very compact packets of protein and nutrients ready to be turned into a nutritious meal in minutes. Master an omelette then you can create a filling according to what you have on hand.

Duck kway teow, a popular stir-fried rice noodle dish, in a box for kid's snacks.

Try this recipe for a roast with a twist. Beer finds it's place in yet another crowd pleasing dish.

Stir-fried udon noodles with beef and tomato from Australian Women's Weekly.

Thai flavours are always so fresh and fragrant, so paired with juicy prawns this dish is a sure crowd pleaser.

Pick up a cooked chicken on your way home from work and you can have this delicious and hearty meal on the table soon after you walk in the front door.

Also known as ‘bow-tie’ pasta, farfalle is good for this dish. The crinkles of each piece enfold the ricotta and peas for maximum deliciousness. However, you can replace the farfalle with penne or small shells if you want. Note

This cheat's ravioli is easy, light and brimming with summery flavours.

Use thinly sliced pork fillet instead of pork strips if you like. Pork mixture can be marinated for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. Note

Delicious chicken tenderloins with a tangy coconut and peanut sauce.

You can prepare the vegetables and sauce up to a day ahead; keep the sauce, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

A North Italian vegetable and rice dish cooked in broth to a creamy consistency.

You could use rump or sirloin steak instead of the beef eye fillet. Note

Soak 12 bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. Note

These easy vegetarian pita pockets will be gobbled up by the whole family.

Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, these duchesse potatoes are like elegant potato gems.

The perfect healthy snack; zucchini fritters with skordalia, a thick purée of Greek cuisine, from Australian Women's Weekly.

It’s a lot easier to slice the steak into wafer-thin strips if you partially freeze it first. Serve immediately with steamed rice. Recipe should be prepared as required. Note

Japanese flavours permeate this dish, from the soy mirin dressing to the crispy nori shreds on top of the grilled tuna.

It’s a lot easier to slice the steak into wafer-thin strips if you partially freeze it first. Accompany with rice, if desired. Note

A fresh, light and tasty dinner that's full of goodness, salmon with teriyaki chilli sauce will become a go-to dinner.

Rice flakes make this crumbed fish light, crispy and gluten-free. They should be available from your health food store, or in the health aisle at the supermarket.

Veal chops, cooked pink, are never better than when paired with a classic French caper sauce.

This gluten-free, dairy-free macaroni cheese with peas means nobody needs to miss out on the ultimate comfort food.

Peppery rocket is one of the best things to top a pizza in recent years, and is perfect paired with ham, cherry tomatoes and ricotta on these simple pita pocket pizzas.

Super simple and seriously tasty, this spaghetti with anchovies, olives and rocket is the ideal mid-week dinner.

Chorizo is a sausage made of coarsely ground pork and highly seasoned with garlic and chilli.

Instead of pure vegetable oil to deep-fry, you can blend it (50/50) with sesame oil. Note

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

Vincotto honey and rosemary take these spiced, poached pears to another level. An elegant end to a dinner party.

You can substitute well-drained canned asparagus for the fresh, if desired. Note

A historically North African dish named after the earthenware pot in which it is cooked.

An exquisite variant on barbecued beef fillet - impress your guests with this succulent dish.

Rich and full of flavour, this recipe for veal cutlets with red pesto sauce is quick and easy but very tasty.

Caramelised onion and potato pizza is delicious as is, but you can also add ingredients like olives, proscuitto or cherry tomatoes if you like.

A fresh and fragrant braised duck dish that is fragrant and full of flavour. Most types of dried mushrooms will work well; if you want to stick with the Asian theme of the dish, use dried shiitakes.

An exquisite main dish for special occasions; Thai coconut-poached chicken & herb salad.

Indian-style tandoori lamb cutlets with sweet mango chutney from Australian Women's Weekly.

This Za'atar spiced chickpea salad with feta and mint is a great summer salad option.

An Italian egg-based dish packed full of capsicum, red onion, potato and chilli.

Both the kids and adults will love these tasty and simple hot dogs.

Rich and flavoursome duck red curry from Australian Women's Weekly.

A Pithivier is round, enclosed pie with origins in France and can be made sweet or savoury.

You need about 1.3kg fresh peas to get the amount of podded peas required for this recipe. Note

A traditional veal scaloppine makes for an elegant dish to serve up to guests.

Full of vegetables and flavours, this pilaf is the perfect mid-week treat.

A warm and filling broad bean and corn soup from Australian Women's Weekly.

The rosemary spiked into the lamb infuses the meat with the most wonderful flavour, while the lemony marinade flavours both the lamb and the vegetables.

Toss the pasta through the sauce just before serving, as it will soak up all the sauce if tossed too early. Either swiss brown, flat or oyster mushrooms can be used instead of the button mushrooms.

Indian-style grilled tandoori lamb with dhal, herbaceous raita and pickled lemon from Australian Women's Weekly.

The irresistible flavours of juicy artichokes, green olives and capers make this home-made pizza a dinner favourite.

The humble fish pie makes for classic comfort food. Try this irresistible version with buttery pastry and crispy potato topping.

Mash potato as soon as it is cooked, otherwise it will not be as soft and creamy. Note

“I love the whole process of making this recipe – and it tastes great.”

We used blue-eye fillets in this recipe. Note