Moderate

For rice vinegared water, add 1 tablespoon rice vinegar to medium bowl of water. Note

Equipment: 3 x 12-hole (1/3-cup/80ml) standard muffin pans, 30 standard paper cases. The icing will set quickly, so return it to the pan of water and reheat it gently until it’s runny again. Don’t overheat the icing or it will crystallise. A tiered cake plate is the perfect way to show off these ever-popular patty […]

This decadent tart is beautiful served with thick cream and has a caramelised surface, similar to a crème brûlée.

Do not overwork the dough or it will toughen. Note

Tempura batter is so light and crisp; this Japanese cuisine is perfect for getting that delectable crunch to your veggies.

This gorgeous five star starter will impress even the most fussy guests.

Sashimi-grade fish must be impeccably fresh and prepared using extremely strict standards of hygiene as the fish is to be eaten raw.

Light, fluffy buttermilk pancakes are delicious enough to serve as dessert as well as breakfast, especially when they're topped with strawberries and ice-cream!

This recipe is good served warm or at room temperature. If not serving immediately, do not toss the ingredients together or the pasta will absorb the dressing. Note

A banana and coconut relish from Australian Women's Weekly.

This bread should keep for about 3 days. Note

Spinach and snow pea salad makes the perfect side for these juicy tuna kebabs with miso and mirin.

Sweet and spiked with liqueur, you can offer Irish coffee in place of traditional dessert.

A ricer or mouli, available from kitchenware stores, will give the best result for smooth potato puree and therefore a lighter gnocchi. Burnt butter and sage sauce is an easy and delicious accompaniment.

You can warm the tortillas in the microwave oven; follow the instructions on the packet. Note

Soup can be frozen at the end of step 2. Large canned butter beans are also known as lima beans, any white beans can be used. Note

These decadent self-saucing puddings are complete with an oozy melted chocolate centre. Serve drizzled with a rich caramel sauce and a dollop of vanilla ice-cream for the ultimate weekend dessert.

Recipe can be made a day ahead and refrigerated, covered. Note

Mango chutney will burn if the grill or barbecue is too hot. Note

If you're looking for a new twist on an old favourite, these little white chocolate lamingtons are the business. Bite-sized pieces of feather-light sponge, dipped in white chocolate and coated in moist shredded coconut.

A classic winter warmer, these individual beef and red wine pies combine tender morsels of meat in a rich, savoury sauce.

Leave out the anchovies, if desired. Instead of a poached egg, add sliced cooked grilled chicken breast to create a chicken ceasar salad. Note

This is the trifle to end all trifles, the recipe for the ultimate trifle. Sponge fingers, liqueur, raspberries, strawberries and a liqueur spiked mascarpone cream. Delicious.

This deconstructed Beef Wellington makes for a new take on a genuine classic. A fabulous dish to serve up at a special dinner party.

The Australian Women's Weekly Kids' Perfect Party Book

To decorate the side of the cake with praline (as pictured), spread just the side of the filled cake with buttercream. Hold the top and the bottom of the cake in your hands and roll the cake ­ like a wheel­ in the praline. Place the cake on a serving plate, then spread the top […]

Impossibly delicious, this cheesy egg and bacon pie makes a great lunch or light dinner. Leftovers make a lovely packed lunch.

Make your own bourbon-glazed ham with a warm potato and celery salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

These flavours are very unique and not for the faint hearted, however for something new and adventurous this recipe might just fit the bill. It is well worth trying.

Praline, otherwise known as nut toffee, is a versatile confection and can be used in many ways, but it's hard to go past a sprinkle on top of a dish of ice-cream for delicious simplicity.

Fresh pasta helps make this fettuccine marinara a seriously quick dish to put together, yet it's bursting with flavour from the seafood and saffron.

Topped with a fresh, juicy cherry, these delicate little cherry almond tartlets make a sophisticated afternoon tea treat.

Quinoa earns superfood status as it boasts an impressive nutritional profile. It has double the protein of rice and provides all of the essential amino acids ­ the building blocks of protein. Note

Fun and great for sharing; white choc-chip orange and cranberry muffins from Australian Women's Weekly.

A fortified wine, like sherry and port, muscat is the result of grapes left to ripen well beyond normal harvesting time, resulting in a concentrated dark, toffee-coloured wine with a rich yet mellow flavour. Note

Chocolate stout is available from bottle shops or online. You can swap it for a dark stout if you like. Make sure all fruit is chopped to the same size as the sultanas. Note

This spicy beef and mushroom soup will warm you up on a cold winters night.

makes 48 per mini maki 0.2g fat; 94kJ (22 cal) CHICKEN TERIYAKI VARIATION You can make another easy mini maki by replacing the tuna and cucumber with 2 chicken tenderloins (150g) that have been marinated for 1 hour in 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce, then cooked through and sliced thinly. Follow the method above to step […]

Sweet and rich hazelnut and espresso friands make a delicate and exquisite afternoon tea treat.

Who doesn't love a good meat pie?

This sensational tasting bread can be served warm straight from the oven alongside soups or as a snack. Either way, it won't last long when there are hungry mouths to feed.

This divine chocolate tart combines rich sweetness with salty crunch to create a flavour and texture sensation.

These between-meal snacks will satisfy the heartiest of appetites ­ and your waistline won't suffer for it.

These stacks are a great recipe to try to expand a vegetarian menu. They are hearty and full of flavour.

Dhansak is an Indian adaptation of a famous festive dish of the Parsi community of the Indian subcontinent; it always consists of several types of pulses and vegetables, and is served with rice. The Parsi often add mutton to the dish. Note

After experiencing the flavour and crunchiness of homemade crisps, you will never need to open another packet again. You can also use russet burbank or spunta potatoes for this recipe. Note

These delicious herb-crusted lamb racks are brilliant served with kipfler potatoes and a green salad to create a gourmet dinner the whole family will love. Leaving the racks to rest for 10 minutes will guarantee a tender result.

Plump scallops turn this creamy fennel and potato soup into something really special, the perfect starter for a winter dinner party.

These bite sized truffles make great gifts, especially at Christmas, as well as a sweet treat for parties or afternoon teas. If you want to go all out, dust with little fragments of gold leaf.

Silky smooth leek and potato soup becomes something special when finished with plump scallops and caramelised leek.

Biryani are some of the most elaborate of Indian rice dishes synonymous with the Moghul emperors. Lamb, rice and spices are layered in this fragrant one-pot dish. Start the recipe a day ahead.

A perfect meal that satisfies a hankering for meat and potatoes, while providing something just a little bit special. Remember to rest the meat for a perfectly moist and succulent result.

Store slice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Note

If you're looking for the perfect recipe for a light weekend lunch with friends, these tender chicken kebabs with roast pecan salad is it.

Save any leftover garlic oil to drizzle over scrambled eggs or to use in a salad dressing. Any remaining kaffir lime leaves can be frozen for another use. The soup will thicken on standing because of the rice. To prepare this soup ahead, follow the recipe up to the end of step 3, continue with […]

What a delightful way to enjoy the flavour of eggnog. These macarons are the perfect, light accompaniment to Christmas dinner, and would make a unique and thoughtful gift for your host.

If preferred, melt chocolate with Copha in the microwave oven on medium (50 per cent) power in 1-minute bursts, stirring after each. Also, to make it easier, spoon the chocolate over the balls and then sprinkle with the coconut or cocoa. Note

Ask your fishmonger to cut thick tuna steaks; thin steaks can easily overcook and dry out. Note

Jelly buttons are liquorice flavoured jellies with a crunchy coating. They are also known as jelly spogs. Note

This is delicious served warm or cold, so is great for picnics or a make-ahead lunch. Note