Veal schnitzel is thinly sliced steak available crumbed or plain (uncrumbed); we use plain schnitzel, sometimes called escalopes. Note

Pastry cases can be made 3 days ahead; store in airtight container. Note

quiche filling We used lump crab meat from the fish market. Reserve fennel fronds when slicing the bulb. Note

You could fill the cones with scoops of ice-cream instead of the cupcakes just before serving. Tint the frosting a colour to match your party theme. Note

For the breadcrumbs, it’s best to use day-old or stale bread. Italian vincotto is a condiment made from boiling down grape must (skins, seeds and stems of grapes) until thick and syrupy. It is available from selected supermarkets and delis. You can use balsamic glaze instead. Note

Some nights warrant pulling out all the stops, and these chocolate and hazelnut pavlova with berries, cream and chocolate sauce have it all.

You can replace orzo with risoni if you like. Orzo, like risoni, absorbs cooking liquid. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little extra water. If you make this dish in advance, you will need to add some water or stock when reheating. Note

Wonderfully light and fragrant, this beautiful Asian inspired chicken and prawn soup is deliciously healthy. Enjoy it for lunch or dinner on a cooling Winter's day.

If you would like to make your own delicious pastry cases, see the recipe for pastry in blueberry apple crumbles. Note

We used dried cannellini beans in this recipe. Note

An exquisite asparagus, gruyère & prosciutto tart for sharing with friends and family.

Get some super-tender pork falling apart on your fork.

These juicy, spiced chicken koftas make a great light lunch served with ripe tomato salad, tzatziki and fresh bread.

Marinated capsicums can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three months; add them to your next anti pasta platter for a burst of colour, texture and flavour.

Stir-fries are always an excellent choice for a mid-week dinner, being fast, fresh and full of flavour.

equipment 20cm x 30cm lamington pan 20cm x 50cm prepared cake board (see basic know-how number 2, pages 160-161) decorations 165g packet mini musks Piping takes a little practice. You might find it easier to do the piping, numbering and lettering before using a spatula to position the cakes on the board. Note

high GI Note

Sweet coffee biscuits covered with coffee cream and drizzled with dark chocolate are a sophisticated afternoon tea treat.

The frangipane flower and this frangipane tart have absolutely nothing to do with each other, despite the name. Although both look absolutely stunning and will fill your house with the most delightful aroma.

We used Cointreau, but you can use your favourite citrus-flavoured liqueur. Use orange juice instead of the liqueur, if you like. Note

This fun children's cake is great for the little ones that love playing with trains and automobiles. They'll love the taste and look of this tasty dessert!

store Dip can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated, covered. Note

Soba noodles are a low-GI japanese-style noodle made from a mixture of buckwheat and wheat, making them high in dietary fibre and protein. The sodium content is high, however, this is reduced significantly after cooking. Asparagus spears vary in thickness; if the ends are really thick, peel them from the bottom up to within 5cm […]

Chermoula is often made of a mixture of herbs, oil, lemon juice, pickled lemons, garlic, cumin, and salt. It is wonderful with pulled pork.

Homemade jam doubtless beats the store bought version any day. Why don't you break away from the traditional berry flavoured jams and try this more tropical flavoured version? You'll be glad you did.

Store in an airtight container for up to two days. Note

The cake and ice- cream cones can be prepared one day before the party. The frosting is best spread over the cake about an hour before serving. The frosting will lose its gloss after an hour or so. Note

Farfalle pasta, also called bow-ties or butterflies, have frilled edges and soft pleats to help contain the sauce; use orecchiette or fusilli, if preferred. Note

Leaving a 1cm (½ inch) border of sponge without cream will make the icing of the sides of the slice easier to do. The weight of the top layer of sponge will push the cream far enough. Note

Damper is a crusty Australian flat bread, originally cooked by the early settlers. Note

Packed full of the goodness of legumes, this chickpea and lentil salad makes a delicious vegetarian lunch option for those wanting an quick and healthy meal.

The gamey flavour of venison, naturally sweet beets and a tangy raspberry vinaigrette make for a spectacular salad.

You will need about 800g fresh peas in the pod for this recipe. The mince mixture and gremolata can be prepared several hours ahead. Reheat mince just before serving. Note

You need to cook about 2 cups of jasmine rice the day before you want to make this recipe. Rice must be cold and quite dry, in order to prevent it sticking together in clumps when added to the wok. Note

This spiced, slightly boozy fruit mince bread is just the ticket if you're looking for some raisin bread or toast with a bit of oomph. Serve it fresh or toasted with lashings of butter.

Stir the cooled cocoa and water mixture into the cake batter. Spread the cake mixture into the greased and lined cake pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top. Note

For bold icing colours, we used powdered food colourings, available from cake decorating shops and some health food stores. Mixing the powder with a small amount of hot water, before stirring into the icing, gives a better result; liquid colourings can be used for pale colours. Note

The veal can be marinated overnight. Note

Bite sized with a little kick and a lot of chocolate, this recipe is pure dessert perfection!

A citrus-flavoured liqueur, such as Grand Marnier, can be substituted for the coconut liqueur, if you prefer. Note

If you’re serving this sauce with fish, replace the chicken stock with fish stock; for a vegetarian version, use vegetable stock. Velouté should be served as soon as it is made. Note

You need to start the recipe the day before. Note

To make a simple pesto, pound 2 garlic cloves with a good pinch of salt in a mortar. Add 2 tablespoons pine nuts and a bunch picked basil leaves, pounding until a creamy paste forms. Blend in ⅓ cup olive oil and 2 tablespoons grated parmesan. Season with black pepper to taste. Note

This light, fresh and flavoursome dish is perfect as a starter or finger food for dinner parties.

These colourful cupcakes are perfect for a birthday party and will delight both the kids and adults.

Peking duck is Beijing's most famous dish. Traditionally, this dish is served with peking duck pancakes and hoisin sauce.

Treat your guests to this indulgent char-grilled lobster tail salad.

Serve warm with pouring cream or ice-cream if desired. Pudding can be prepared severa hours ahead. Keep refrigerated and bake as required. Note

Wild rice blend is a pre-made mixture of white long-grain and wild rices. It is available from most supermarkets. Note

Simple and elegant, these dainty little cupcakes are a delicious treat to share for dessert or a special afternoon tea.

Hearty and meaty, these flavour-packed lamb and rosemary pies are perfect for a hungry family on a cooler evening or weekend. They'll taste amazing enjoyed straight from the oven.

Treacle is a sweet and richly flavoured syrup which is perfect for making moist baked goods; especially tarts!

You can also use bintje or pink fir apple potatoes for this recipe. It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Note

Layers of sponge cake and vanilla ice-cream topped with a fresh rhubarb compote makes this vanilla and rhubarb slice a wonderful summer dessert.

Home made fish and chips is a good healthy alternative to eating greasy ones, and it tastes just as good if not better.

This fruit cake is suitable for many allergy diets, as it does not contain wheaten flour, eggs, milk or butter; the only sugar is in the fruit.

A huge hit at parties, fresh rice paper rolls also make an excellent lunch, or after-school snack.

You can buy cooked crab meat at the local fish markets or supermarket. Alternatively, buy fresh crabs and cook them (blue swimmer crabs are good). To tell if crabs are meaty, look at the claws; if they are pointy and sharp it means they have a new shell and don’t have much meat. If the […]

Unfilled crepes can be frozen up to 2 months. Note

Soak bamboo skewers in cold water for at least an hour before using to prevent them scorching during cooking. We used flathead fillets in this recipe. Note

Like a deconstructed version of the classic Greek dish, these moussaka stacks with lemon-yoghurt dressing are lighter than the original, and just as tasty.

These prosciutto wrapped lamb cutlets hide a delicious creamy and boldly flavoured centre. Serve with some grilled mediterranean vegetables for a tasty, low-carb meal.

Whip up these tasty fish fingers with fresh, whole ingredients and pop them on a little pile of crisp colourful coleslaw and dig in. The kids will love you for it and you'll tick off a good portion of your five-a-day and fish intake.

Buy 200g (6½ ounces) muscatels for these cakes, use one-third in the cake mixture and the rest for decorating. Note

This delicious and impressive looking mandarin upside-down cake is a little tricky to make but is oh so worth it. Better still it is gluten-free so everyone can enjoy it. Use a microplane to zest the fruit for best results.