There is nothing quite as comforting as a warm, fragrant, melt-in-your-mouth homemade sweet pie, and this recipe exceeds expectations.

Create this authentic Thai sour chicken curry quickly and deliciously in a pressure cooker.

You can substitute gravy beef (or better yet, a ham bone and chicken stock) for the lamb. Black beans, also known as turtle beans, are a common ingredient in Latin American soups, salads and salsa. They have a black skin, creamy texture and sweet flavour, and are a breed apart from Chinese black beans which […]

The pudding is best made on the day of serving. Rum sauce can be made a day ahead, store, covered, in the fridge. Reheat the sauce before serving either in a microwave oven or over low heat in a small saucepan until hot. Note

Be sure to remove toothpicks from cake before cutting and serving. Raspberry straps, cut into strips, can be used instead of red licorice rope. Sandwich the two cakes together with a little blue butter cream. Spread the cake with coloured butter creams. Insert candy cane into centre of red icing ball to make drumstick. Note

Give your afternoon tea a Parisian twist and serve these delicate crêpes with beautiful fresh strawberries and cream.

When it comes to cuisine the French got a lot right, especially the macaron. This humble sweet is deservedly famous for its chewy texture and delicious array of flavour options. Try this raspberry and cinnamon version, you'll love it.

Ask the butcher for lamb shoulder as what is sold as diced lamb is sometimes from the leg and will not be as tender. Note

Crisp rösti, meltingly soft veal tenderloin and piquant salsa verde together make for a fine dinner indeed.

Ras el hanout is a Moroccan spice mixture meaning `top of the shelf’. The mixture varies from one merchant to another, but is always subtly savoury with a touch of heat. Note

Harissa is a spicy North African condiment of chilli and spices. Recent research has shown countries with a high chilli consumption, such as Mexico and India, tend to have decreased rates of cancer. Chillies also boost our metabolism, helping to burn fat and reduce feelings of hunger. If you don’t like things too spicy, replace […]

This alluring, creamy, sensational pasta dish fulfils your desire to be amazed with a comforting yet exciting meal experience.

Mango puree helps turn this classic coconut tea cake, and the coconut frosting, into a moist, fruity delight. Lovely served with a cup of tea or coffee.

Pan-fried in a fragrant spice mix, this jerk salmon tender, flaky and utterly delicious. Serve with a fresh homemade corn and black bean salad for a real flavour kick!

This dough is quite soft. If it becomes difficult to handle, roll it out, then refrigerate again until firm. Note

A slice of this rich chocolate torte sprinkled with crushed praline makes an excellent dessert or indulgent afternoon tea.

You can buy prepared tabbouleh, if you like. Burghul is also known as bulghur wheat; you can use couscous instead of the burghul in this recipe. Note

Pop this one on the party table for an eye-catching cake. From The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook, it's sure to be a hit with younger children.

Makes enough for four 200g servings of pan fried chicken breast. If sauce is too tart, add a little more honey. Also goes well with whole roast turkey, duck or chicken. Note

Ice-cream bombe mixture needs to be prepared at least a day ahead, keep in the freezer until required. Cake base can also be prepared a day ahead, keep in an airtight container. Cover bombe with whipped cream just before serving. Note

Fresh, spicy and deeply savoury, beef pho makes a great lunch, especially on those days when you need a bit of a pick-me-up.

You could use creamy polenta in place of mash to top these veal goulash and potato pies.

If you can’t find piquillo peppers, use roasted or grilled capsicum instead. Note

An easy way to tenderise octopus the night before cooking is to tightly wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze. If time is short, bash it with a meat mallet until it is no longer bouncy. Note

serving suggestion Crusty bread. Note

This exquisite pork hock with peanut caramel & pickled cucumber is perfect for a special occasion.

Locking in the base of a springform pan upside down, makes it easier to remove the cake later. Blowtorches are available from kitchenware and hardware stores. Alternatively, you can place the tray of figs under a hot grill to caramelise the sugar. Note

Sago, also known as seed or pearl tapioca, comes from the sago palm and is used in soups and desserts, and as a thickening agent. You can use Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Curaçao or any other orange- flavoured liqueur in this recipe.

This colourful cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook is bound to be a hit with Mr or Ms. Two!

We used crème de cacao, but you could use any chocolate flavoured liqueur you like. Soufflés must be made just before serving. Note

Hoisin sauce is a thick, sweet Chinese barbecue sauce made from salted fermented soy beans, onions and garlic. It can be used as a marinade or a baste, or as a flavouring for stir-fried, braised or roasted foods. It’s found in all Asian food shops and most supermarkets. Note

Fig and pistachio couscous and baby spinach leaves make the perfect bed for tender, char-grilled lamb backstraps.

Always use clean oil for deep-frying; keep it at a constant temperature during cooking. The optimum temperature for vegetables is about 170°C (150°C fan-forced), and is slightly higher for seafood. Japanese seven-spice mix has a hot kick; its ingredients vary according to region. It is available from Asian supermarkets. Note

Delicious and impressively decorated cupcakes that resemble dazzling kaleidoscopes.

When this classic French dessert is done well, nothing can beat its silky, cream texture. Don't forget to sieve your custard and remember to insulate with a tea towel so the outside doesn't cook too quickly.

Take a trip to the fish markets for the freshest produce you can find for these individual seafood mornay pots topped with crispy gratin. They're absolutely delicious.

A mix of green and yellow beans and baby potatoes make the perfect side for these juicy peppered swordfish fillets.

This spectacular cake is topped with sweetened crème fraîche and candied beetroot chips.

You could use any firm-fleshed white fish fillets for this recipe ­ we used blue-eye. Make the breadcrumbs from bread that is at least a day old, grate or process stale bread to make crumbs. Fish can be crumbed several hours ahead, store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Slow-cooked veal shin (the cut also known as osso buco) and earthy mushroom ragu are perfect winter comfort food, especially served on a bed of warm, creamy polenta.

Creamy chocolate and refreshing peppermint - a match made in heaven. We've added some crispy ingredients to this delicious slice recipe to create a wonderfully indulgent dessert.

low GI You need 12 bamboo skewers for this recipe; soak them in water for at least an hour before using to avoid them splintering or scorching. Do not puree the carrot mixture too far in advance because it could separate if left to stand too long. serving suggestion Steamed green beans and a fresh […]

Soak bamboo skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes before using to prevent the skewers burning during cooking. Note

Never wash seafood under a running tap as this will wash away the “sea” flavour and waterlog the seafood. If you need to rinse, hold the seafood in one hand over the sink and use your other hand to gently splash the seafood with as little water as possible. Note

Macarons can be challenging to make, but the results are worth it. Weigh your ingredients very carefully and sift the almond meal thoroughly, and these peppermint French macarons will be très bon!

These rice-paper rolls because they have a fresh flavour, use healthy ingredients and can be made ahead of time, a real bonus!

These individual Japanese hotpots are brimming with flavour and comfort.

The ganache can be made 2 days ahead; store in the refrigerator. When ready to use, beat with an electric mixer until it is of a spreadable consistency. Decorate the log with fresh cherries, if you like. Note

If you have an electric pressure cooker you won’t need to reduce the heat to stabilise pressure, your cooker will automatically stabilise itself. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions before using. Note

Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. Return to room temperature before serving Note

Recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

This dessert is pure bliss . Creamy orange custard with a quintessential toffee topping. Note

These delicious chewy cranberry meringues, sometimes called cranberry chewies, make a delicate, pretty afternoon tea treat.

The dark, smoky flavours of tea and the warm spice of star anise bring out the autumnal sweetness of poached pears.

The crunchy cashew layer turns this simple loaf, into a spectacular sweet dessert or afternoon tea snack.

Finished with a drizzle of melted chocolate, these nutty meringue sticks are excellent served with coffee.

Pumpkin + cheese = heaven!

It’s important not to lift the lid during the cooking of the pudding, as the condensation runs down the side of the cooker and causes damp patches on the pudding. Note

These tarts are the perfect expression of sumer. When cooked, the nectarines and apricots soften and slightly caramelise, becoming the perfect foil to the buttery crunch of the pastry and the nuts. Note

Short-order; chilli scallops Chilli jam goes with everything from pork chops to fried rice, but for an entrée with a difference, buy some scallops in their shells; remove the scallops, wash and dry the shells well, and keep aside for later. Marinate the scallops overnight in a little lemon juice and oil combined with a […]

If using bamboo skewers, soak in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them scorching during cooking, or cover the ends with foil. For a simple tzatziki sauce, combine ¾ cup low-fat yoghurt, 1 clove crushed garlic and 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley in a small bowl. For a simple chilli tomato […]

Choux pastry mixture will come away from side of pan and form a ball Note