Moderate

Become acquainted with these tasty and versatile staples

The kids will love creating their very own marshmallows for dessert.

Pulses, legumes, grains and seeds are great off-the-shelf staples that add bulk, fibre and valuable nutrients to your diet. Try these light and hearty recipes to kickstart a new way of cooking.

You could also use apples or add spices and flaked almonds to the mix.

A surplus of kale in the garden inspired this innovative take on an old favourite.

Feel free to add chilli, smoked paprika or herbs to suit the intended dish. Double the recipe and freeze in batches. Basic tomato sauce: • Substitute tinned tomatoes for vine-ripened ones in summer. • Try adding a pinch or two of herbs and spices depending on your desired recipe. • Sugar cuts the acid from […]

This curry can be adapted with different kinds of seafood and made more or less spicy to suit everyone’s taste.

500g frozen spinach, thawed and drained, can be used in place of fresh. Be sure to press out all liquid. Note

The vibrant colours of the Mediterranean taste as good as they look!

It seems lamb is definitely the Greeks’ choice when it comes to meat and this couldn’t be more simple and delicious if it tried. Studding the lamb with the garlic and rosemary infuses the meat with flavour while it cooks and who can pass up a golden spuddy! I’ve included a quick little recipe for […]

For flavour, add a strip of orange peel or use dried fruit and let it infuse and swell in the syrup.

Whether you are camping or simply feel like cooking outdoors, this dashing dish done on the BBQ is a winner.

Can-do dinner. There’s a reason this BBQ cooking method is still a hit – because it’s great!

This two-tone brownie is a delectable twist on the classic recipe and can be easily dressed up as a decadent dessert.

This two-tone brownie is a delectable twist on the classic recipe and can be easily dressed up as a decadent dessert.

To prevent syrup forming crystals, do not stir once boiled. Note

This jelly should have distinct layers. The clear lemon jelly contrasts with the spongy honeycomb base. Don’t worry if the mixture curdles – it’s meant to. Note

You could use most stone fruit for these wonderful turnovers, but nothing quite gives the intensity of colour like the humble plum. Serve piping hot, with ice-cream.

Tubby the well-rounded bear makes the cutest birthday cake, and there's no baking involved! You could even opt for a fairy-tale theme and make three for a Goldilocks tableau.

Plums not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. You’ll need approximately 10 plums for this recipe. Note

Cut a slice of this fruity tart and enjoy the fragrant undertones of rosewater. Best served with thick, whipped cream and a collection of family or friends.

All the pleasures of banana bread, minus all the gluten. Now you can have your cake, and eat it too.

The popular superfood quinoa dives in to save lunch yet again with this Italian style salad. Filled with tomatoes, capsicum, boccincini and a zesty dressing your taste buds and stomach will be thanking you.

Indulge in something a little more decadent with your pancakes than your normal jam topping with creamy ricotta and fresh apricots.

Add some spice to your classic burger with these lamb mince patties, filled with chilli-paste, garlic, and topped off with some Greek-style yoghurt.

Take yourself on a trip to Thailand with aromatic mint, chilli, coriander and lime. This powerful beef dish is best served with a fresh, crispy lettuce leaf.

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Meatballs suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

This technique for cooking the salmon is simple, packed with flavour and it’s also a healthy option. The recipe will also work well with other whole fish, such as snapper, hapuku or cod, or with fillets.

If desired, add a pinch of salt to flour when sifting. This is optional, but it does enhance flavour of scones. Leftover dough can be lightly kneaded and rolled for extra scones, but these will be harder and tougher than the first batch due to the extra handling. Scones can be made in the food […]

Recreate this popular Asian starter at home using your own fresh ingredients. It's a fun way to get the whole family involved in the kitchen this weekend.

Substitute dates for apricots, and vanilla essence for lemon rind, if desired. Note

This cake can be made easily in a food processor. Start with butter, sugar and rind and gradually add remaining ingredients, processing to form a smooth batter. Note

Salmon can be replaced with ocean trout or tuna. Note

You can also make this using green Thai curry paste. Note

Mornay sauce is a bechamel, or white, sauce enriched with cheese. It’s a favourite for baked dishes that include cauliflower, cooked pasta, spinach, eggs and fish. Certain vegetables, including potato and pumpkin, need to be cooked in order to be digested, but it’s important to avoid overcooking your vegies, as valuable vitamins and minerals can […]

Traditionally, this cake is made in the shape of a flower with round biscuits. For a neat finish, trim edges of the cake with a sharp knife. Note

This is a great breakfast, light lunch or late supper. Top it with a perfectly poached egg, if you like. Note

For a clearer result, the syrup is made with pure icing sugar, not icing sugar mixture, which contains cornflour. Note

Snowy chocolate mountain

Milk-soaked breadcrumbs might seem unorthodox, but they'll give these beef rissoles by Australian Table a softer texture. Serve with steamed potatoes and greens for a complete meal.

How to join a chicken: Remove string, place chicken on a board, and cut skin around leg with knife against carcass then press leg joint outwards to expose the joint. Cut through and slip point of knife under the hack to release the maryland (drumstick and thigh). Repeat with other side. Separate into thighs and […]

This gluten-free stuffing has endless variations. Add nuts or dried fruit, and other herbs and spices. To tie up a chicken, place it on its back. Pull skin over neck and secure by folding wing tips back over skin. Run string around wings and underneath to cross over back. Turn chicken over and bring string […]

If you like sweet treats but are keeping an eye on your weight, don’t fill the biscuits simply dust them lightly with icing sugar. If served individually, this will yield 16 biscuits. Note

Looking for a quick and healthy dinner idea? This silverbeet and cheese frittata makes a light and tasty weeknight dish.

Crispy on the outside, deliciously tender on the inside - this tasty pork loin is perfect served with fragrant ginger roasted carrots and a zesty Asian nam jim sauce.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Suitable to freeze. Rice suitable to microwave. Note

Suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Ganache suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. When cooking cauliflower, a light-handed treatment is best. It contains sulphur compounds similar to that of cabbage, which break down as they cook, releasing an odour that strengthens the longer they are cooked. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Suitable to microwave. Note

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Sponge suitable to freeze before filling. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Salmon can be poached several hours ahead, but white fish is best poached just before serving. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. You could use double cream instead of mascarpone. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Uniced cake suitable to freeze. Ganache suitable to microwave. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. To make tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water into a heatproof jug. Add 2 earl grey tea bags; stand for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. If cooking chicken the day before, reserve some of the cooking liquid to pour over the sliced chicken meat before refrigerating. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Kumara suitable to microwave. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. The lamb can be marinated overnight for extra flavour. If you like a bit of sweetness in your curries, you can also add currants to the rice. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. You could use 8 fresh plums in place of the peaches, if preferred. You can use the remaining syrup as a base for summer drinks or punches, or reuse it to poach more fruit. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. To prepare rice vermicelli, put 150g vermicelli into a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak for 5 minutes, then drain and run under cold water. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Uncooked meatloaf suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Cake suitable to freeze. Note

You'd be amazed at how well aromatic herbs complement the sweet, borderline tart, flavour of fresh strawberries. All supported by a delicate creamy panna cotta.

Not suitable to freeze. Suitable to microwave. Note

Try this traditional, triple-tested pilaf by the Australian Women's Weekly for a classic, healthy and exotic vegetarian dish full of wonderful spices and flavour.

Fluffy rose-pink cake dressed in a sinful mascarpone frosting, this dessert is almost too pretty to eat. Almost!

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. The chilli jam recipe will make about 2 cups (500ml). It can be made a month ahead and kept refrigerated. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Harissa is available at selected supermarkets and delicatessens. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

This quick stir-fry is all about the heat and the crunch. Accompanied with steamed rice, this recipe is an ideal mid-week dinner plan.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note