Moderate

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

Nectarines, apricots or berries would be delicious in place of the peaches. serving suggestion Serve with thick (double) cream. Note

Remaining garlic-infused oil can be used in salad dressings. Note

Make this stunning side dish in spring to take advantage of delicious in-season artichokes and peas.

Gem strings on wire are available from craft stores. If you can’t find them, use small lengths of pink ribbon. Note

Calzones are folded pizzas or pizza turnovers filled with good things – one of the best foods ever invented for a picnic, a party or eating on the go. Note

Equipment 22cm x 30cm (9-inch x 12-inch) baking dish 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12-hole (1-tablespoon/20ml) mini muffin pan 12 mini muffin paper cases 6.5cm (2½-inch) Heart-shaped cutter 4cm (1½-inch) Heart-shaped cutter 30cm x 40cm (12-inch x 16-inch) rectangular prepared cake board This cake is at its best made a day ahead of the party. […]

You need to soak eight bamboo skewers in cold water for at least an hour before use to prevent them from splintering or burning during cooking. Note

A light and summery spiced sponge cake with a delicious pistachio honey cream.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Note

Keep an eye on the syrup towards the end of the cooking time; as it reduces, you need to reduce the temperature to maintain a gentle simmer. Use any leftover pomegranate seeds in salads or sprinkle over desserts. Note

Shichimi togarashi (also known as seven-spice mix or seven-spice blend) is a Japanese spice blend. It is available from specialist spice shops and Asian grocery stores Note

Tie a small pink ribbon in a bow around each cake, if you like. Note

You need to cook about 1¾ cups of white medium-grain rice to get the amount of cooked rice required for this recipe. Note

A puff of fairy floss makes a soft and cuddly chest for this lovable southern visitor. Note

We used scrap-booking decorations available from craft and hobby shops. This cake can be assembled directly onto a table or covered 24-inch square cake plate. Note

We found that using a cheese slicer is an easy and effective way of making large chocolate curls. You can use this recipe as a guide to make the boxes smaller or larger. Who wouldn’t love to receive a gift as wonderful, and as delicious, as this chocolate box? It’s the perfect present for any […]

While this is easy to make, it may take a bit of experimentation with your oven to determine the best temperature and to perfect the timing ­ two elements that are critical for the success of this sponge cake. Every oven is slightly different to another, be guided by your oven manufacturer’s instructions. As a […]

This recipe is a delicious change to cooked pasta sauces ­because this sauce is uncooked, buy the freshest ingredients you can for a big flavour hit. Note

You will need about 4 passionfruit for this recipe. Note

Give cereal a miss and try these prosciutto and feta baked eggs instead!

Delicious and simple appetizers: corn and pea samosas packed full of spices.

Empanadas are crispy pastries stuffed with spicy beef, tomato and potatoes.

To save time purchase 500g shelled prawns for this recipe. Note

Wear gloves when peeling beetroot to stop the juice from staining your hands. Note

Many countries have similar kinds of dishes: Spain has a cocido with chickpeas, the French have the pot-au-feu - the origins are always peasant food where cheap cuts of meat and seasonal vegetables are cooked together in one big pot.

Chicken puffs should not be reheated more than once. Puffs can be baked several hours ahead. Cool slightly then refrigerate. Reheat thoroughly in a 160°C preheated oven just before serving. Note

Use any scraps of pastry to make trees, people or other decorations and bake with walls. Candy canes and lollipops also make good decorations. Note

This indulgence chocolate cheesecake recipe is made even more sweet with the addition of rich ricotta cheese. We've also swirled through juicy grapes and runny honey for a burst of natural sweetness.

You will need approximately 1 cup (120g) pecans to make enough ground pecans for this recipe. Note

You will need 12 strong wooden toothpicks, tips broken off into 1.5cm lengths. Note

Rich and delicious mocha trifle with a kick of Tia Maria or your favourite liqueur.

12-hole (-cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12 dark green paper cupcake cases 4 paper piping bags plastic wrap We made the cupcakes here, instead of buying them, so we could tint the mixture in camouflage colours. To save time, decorate the tops of store-bought cupcakes with the camouflage icing. Vanilla frosting is available in tubs from […]

Delicate coffee biscuit hearts, smothered in chocolate either side of a generous dollop of mocha cream will have you feeling the love.

A classic dessert, this wonderfully chocolatey sacher torte is perfect for birthdays, weddings or anniversaries.

Start the recipe at least a day ahead, as the fruit mixture needs to stand overnight. Note

Sweet and fluffy pastry puffs filled with a rich chocolate and coffee cream and drizzled with sweet toffee.

Polenta tends to become firmer as it stands; stir in a little extra boiling water if you prefer a softer texture. Note

A rich brownie cake packed full of the flavours of the muscat grape in both wine and vine form.

Goes well with rumaki crab dip Note

This recipe is also nut-free and gluten-free Note

his sensuous curves are easily achieved with simple savarin pans Cut half of one cake in half at an angle without cutting through the base; reserve for the snake’s head. Position butter cream-covered cakes on cake board, with the snake’s head peeking through. Cut even-sized diamond shapes from Roll-ups using kitchen scissors. Place diamond-shaped Roll-ups […]

Silver lustre is a shimmer dust that gives a slight sparkle and helps create a wet look. It is available from cake decorating supply stores in 5g (¼ ounce) screw-top pots. This recipe also makes 6 texas muffins (¾-cup/180ml); bake about 1 hour. Note

Tia Maria, Kahlua and crème de caçao are all coffee-flavoured liqueurs; any one of them can be used in this recipe. Note

Make your own Italian-style gourmet roasted beetroot pizza from scratch in no time at all!

Dulce de leche is a caramel spread. Vienna almonds are toffee-coated almonds. Note

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before using a pressure cooker. Note

We painted a branch of real holly roughly with melted dark chocolate to make the inedible decoration on the cake. Remove cake from fridge, then top with the chocolate decoration. Note

If fresh plums are not available, use drained canned plums. Yellow rock sugar is available in Asian supermarkets; it has a richer, subtler flavour than granulated white sugar. It is used mainly for braises and sauces as it gives them a beautiful lustre and glaze. Note

Some commercially prepared curry pastes can vary in heat and flavour. Add less than recommended until you can determine how hot it makes the final dish and to suit your spice level tolerance. In Indonesia, particularly on Java, food is often wrapped in banana leaves before steaming or grilling ­a process called “pepesan”, which gives […]

Toffee is best made just before serving or up to 1 hour beforehand. Note

A steak sandwich is one of the most satisfying lunches out there, and this one is a little fancy with beetroot salsa and creamy aïoli.

We used bream fillets here, but you can use any firm white fish fillet, such as perch, blue-eye or ling, if you prefer. Note

Roasted zucchini, eggplant and capsicum can be bought loose from delis, making the job even easier. Slice the stick as close to serving time as possible. 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. Note

This rakish fellow has a touch of the scamp about him. Note

Equipment 22cm x 34cm number 6 cake pan 25cm x 40cm rectangular cake board If you can’t buy green Bubble Tape, you can use grape Bubble Tape or Roll-Ups. Note

Used extensively in Japanese cooking, daikon has a sweet, fresh flavour without the sharp bite of the more common red radish. It can be used raw in salads and as a garnish, or cooked in various ways. Green tea soba are Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour and green tea; they are available from most […]

Allspice, also known as pimento or Jamaican pepper, is so-named because it tastes like a combination of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and cumin ­all spices. It is available from spice shops and supermarkets. Note

EQUIPMENT deep 20cm (8-inch) round cake pan 30cm (12-inch) round cake board (page 334) or cake stand medium piping bag fitted with medium plain tube large piping bag fitted with large fluted tube You don’t need one of those giant cup cake pans to make this cake,­ it’s baked in an ordinary round cake pan. […]

You need about 1 large bunch of rhubarb. Note

To remove excess liquid, drain the cheese mixture in a fine sieve lined with muslin for 40 minutes before adding to the kofta mixture. After deep-frying the kofta in batches, drain them well on layers of absorbent paper before adding them to the tomato tamarind sauce. Note

Yellow rock sugar is available from Asian supermarkets. It’s mainly used in braises and sauces as it gives them a lustre and glaze. To freeze; pour stock into freezer-proof containers, leaving a 2.5cm space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a […]