Moderate

Tender madeleine biscuits flavoured with vanilla and gentle dipped in a sweet rosewater glaze.

For best results when deep-frying, check the oil is hot enough before adding the parsnip strips. Dip the handle end of a wooden spoon into the hot oil, if bubbles immediately form around the wood, the oil is the correct temperature. Note

We used a low-calorie packet of jelly crystals because we wanted the cranberry and raspberry flavour but you can use any jelly crystals you like, as long as it makes 2 cups (500ml) jelly; raspberry, port wine and cherry-flavoured jelly would all work well. Note

We used Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs available in most supermarkets. Note

Healthy, delicious and authentic Asian-style chicken and water chestnut tofu pouches.

Treat your little princess to the sweetest birthday cake around this year.

These pork rolls are a tasty starter before a main course of fried rice or a bowl of chicken broth with rice noodles.

Butterflied chickens are available from specialist chicken and butcher shops. Note

Use small piping bags with or without small plain tubes, or use strong plastic bags ­ snip a tiny corner from the bag for easy piping. Prepared cake boards are available from cake decorating and craft stores. You will need one 20cm (8-inch) round board for this cake. The cake can be baked two days […]

In a pressure cooker these sticky and saucy pork spare ribs can be whipped up in no time.

Allen’s Teeth and Milk Bottles can be found in packets of Allen’s Teeth `n’ Stuff and Allen’s Retro Party Mix. Note

There are many classic Chinese dishes that marry duck and sichuan pepper. In this recipe, the fresh-flavoured salad sets off the spicy union to perfection.

If you can’t find corella pears, use four beurre bosc pears instead. The same quantity of red wine can be used in place of the port; the end result may not be as sweet, so adjust sweetening accordingly. Pears can be reheated gently in the syrup, or served cold. You can sprinkle some fine strips […]

Use a gluten-free packet cake mix for this recipe, if you like. Just make sure the ingredients for the butter cream and the decorations are also gluten-free. Number 4 cake pans can be hired from cake decorating suppliers. Note

We used blue and green Life Savers, mini M&M’s, Skittles and baby jelly beans, but you can use any lollies you like. Note

It’s a good idea to turn filo triangles halfway through cooking. Use spray oil in place of butter, if preferred. Note

Violet Crumbles can be substituted with Crunchie bars or any other chocolate-coated honeycomb. Note

Warning, warning… the kids will be back for more of this cute robot cake. Get your little robotics engineer to help with the decorating. Note

If you can’t buy shelled pistachios, soak shelled nuts in boiling water for about 5 minutes, drain, then pat dry with absorbent paper. Rub skins with a cloth to peel. Note

We used blue-eye fillets in this recipe, but any white fish fillet will be fine. Moroccan seasoning is available in the dried herbs and spices section of most supermarkets. You might want to leave the nuts out of the couscous or you might want to chop them ­ depending on the age of your toddler. […]

The cake mix is enough to make 12 patty cakes, so decorate the other six patty cakes with your own favourite critters & crawlers. Note

Salted cod, also known as salt cod, baccalà, bacalhau, bacalao and morue, is available from Italian, Spanish and Portuguese delicatessens and some speciality food stores. It needs to be de-salted and rehydrated before use. Note

Ready-made seasoned bean-curd skins and seasoned gourd (kampyo) strips are available from Asian specialist grocery stores. For rice vinegared water, add 1 tablespoon rice vinegar to medium bowl of cold water. Note

White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. You could use one of those many pictures, drawn by your little Picasso and lovingly stuck on the fridge, to make the scene for the top of this […]

Instant polenta, available from supermarkets, comes with cooking times varying from 1-5 minutes, so it’s always best to read the packet directions. To keep polenta warm when serving, place polenta in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir occasionally to prevent a skin from forming. If fresh figs are out of […]

It is fine to use just the one 600ml carton or two 300ml cartons of cream for this recipe. You can vary this dessert endlessly by changing the flavours of the sorbet and the fruit. You can make this dessert ahead of time; once frozen, cover with plastic wrap. Decorate with fresh fruit before serving. […]

Equipment 3 x 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pans 36 standard paper cases (18 yellow, 18 red) 45cm-square prepared cake board Decorations 1 Killer Python 3 snakes (2 blue, 1 green) 4 x 25g Curly Wurly bars Smarties Piping takes a little skill, practice on a flat surface before you pipe the numbers on the cakes. […]

Our Chinese-style pancakes are packed with an easy mu shu pork filling for a flavoursome lunch or dinner idea - they're savoury pancakes at their tastiest!

Tender and flavoursome rabbit and hazelnut terrine - the perfect addition to your next dinner party or afternoon tea!

The imported tube pan we used in this recipe is available from speciality cook ware shops. It measures 21cm across the base and has a 4 litre fluid capacity. The mixture needs to cling to the tube pan so it is important not to grease it. To remove cake from the tube pan, run a […]

When cutting cheesecake, dip the knife in hot water to ensure a clean cut. Note

Ask the butcher for a 2-metre (6½-foot) length of unlinked sausages. Alternatively, you can unlink a length of sausages and use short lengths together to form the spiral. If your barbecue doesn’t include a flat plate, cook the capsicum mixture in a heavy-based frying pan on the barbecue. Note

Grapefruit probably got their name because they grow in clusters like grapes. Pink or ruby grapefruit have coral-pink flesh and shell- pink skin, and are sweeter and juicier than the yellow-skinned variety. Grenadine is a deep-red syrup based on pomegranate juice and used to both colour and sweeten desserts and drinks. Some versions of grenadine […]

We used two round heatproof bowls about 4cm in diameter and one small oval heatproof bowl about 9cm long to make the ghost’s eyes and mouth. Start making the meringue about 30 minutes before serving the cake. Cooked cake can be frozen for up to one month. Cake and ice-cream can be prepared, ready for […]

Tying various herbs and spices in a piece of muslin, securing with kitchen string, makes them easier to remove when the chutney is ready to be spooned into jars. Note

The combination of sweet orange cake and fragrant fennel works perfectly together to create a flavour-packed dessert, perfect for people who don't have a massive sweet-tooth.

You could also make this cake in a deep 18cm round cake pan. This cake is best made on day of serving. Note

This rich combination of spices cooked in coconut cream is classic Malaysian cooking, combining the country’s Indian and Straits-Chinese influences. This recipe uses black mustard seeds (sometimes sold as brown mustard seeds), which are more pungent than the white (or yellow) seeds used in most prepared mustards. Not suitable to freeze. Note

A tasty snack or finger food for entertaining, these deliciously crispy potato skins are great served with our homemade dips. We've given you three recipes to choose from. Or, make them all!

Use any remaining cake mixture to make some extra cupcakes for the party. The cake can be completed at least two days ahead. White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

EQUIPMENT 12-hole (⅓ -cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12 standard paper cases (5 green, 4 brown, 3 blue) 40cm x 50cm (16-inch x 20-inch) cake board You’ll have ¾ cup of the cake mixture left over, enough for another three cakes. Many children like gardening, so take-home treats could be small gardening tools. Use the handle […]

Use a vegetable peeler to cut the cucumber into ribbons. If taking the salad to work for lunch, keep the dressing separate until ready to serve. Note

This recipe is best made as close to serving as possible as prawns toughen on reheating. Note

We used black tea leaves, but you could also use a smoky tea such as lapsang souchong. It’s a good idea to do the smoking on the barbecue. Note

Lebanese bread can be substituted for prepared pizza base. Note

If you like, create stencils by cutting out 20 shapes or letters from baking paper. Position the stencils on the slice and dust with sifted cocoa powder. Carefully remove stencils. Cut the slice into squares using a hot dry knife. Note

Gorgeously sweet orange and maple glazed baby carrots. The perfect accompaniment for your next dinner party.

For a dairy-free version of this cake, substitute dairy-free spread for the butter and soy milk for the milk. Note

You can buy butterflied sardines from most good fish markets, or get your fishmonger to butterfly the fish for you. To butterfly your own fish, buy an already gutted fish, slice down the length of the belly until just before the tail, place fish, belly-down, on a chopping board and roll gently with a rolling […]

You could use beef sirloin or rib eye (scotch fillet) instead of the rump steak. Sukiyaki beef is available fresh and frozen from Asian grocery stores and selected supermarkets. A traditional sukiyaki pan is available from Japanese stores. Note

Equipment two 20cm (8-inch) round cake pans 30cm (12-inch) round prepared cake board or plate shell-shaped chocolate moulds Note

Labne is yoghurt that has been drained of whey. A short draining time, results in a thick, creamy yoghurt, while a longer one, will achieve the consistency of a soft yoghurt-cheese, that can be rolled into balls. You can make your own or buy it from supermarkets. Note

Use a mixture of cauliflower, carrots, celery, green tomatoes, cucumber and pickling onions. If the mixture seems too wet, drain away some of the liquid before bottling. Note

Build it and they will come…and eat it with gusto. The toy tools are readily available from most toy stores. White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

Recipe can be made two days ahead, store, covered, in the refrigerator. Don’t worry if the mixture separates, giving you two layers, one creamy and one clear. The mixture separates into two layers when the gelatine mixture is of a different temperature to that of the cream mixture, when the two mixtures are combined, they […]

If you don’t have a large enough oven tray to fit the salmon, ask the fishmonger to remove the head of the salmon for you. Salmon can also be cooked on a covered barbecue. Note

Beautiful bite-size cakes with succulent syrup and subtle saffron flavour.

Crispy Middle Eastern-style potato and spinach frittatas packed full of za'atar, a blend of roasted dry spices.

Pierre the French peacock is a fun and beautiful cake that the kid's will love.