Moderate

Serve chicken with dressing. You need a large bunch of spinach weighing about 400g to get the number of large leaves required for this recipe. Note

Sticky, smoky American-style pork ribs with a zesty and crunchy slaw.

You can use drained gelatinous noodles instead of the cellophane noodles. Note

A lolly-packed party piñata that the kids will love.

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 your pressure cooker. Note

There’s no need to cover the pudding steamer with foil or a lid because it is covered when the lid is placed on the cooker. Note

Prepare the mushrooms ready for grilling the day before; keep covered in the fridge. Mushrooms can be grilled up to 30 minutes before serving. Note

You’ll have about 1½ cups of the cake mixture left over to make more cakes for your party. Note

Lassis are yoghurt-based drinks which are an excellent cooling foil for a fiery Indian curry. Note

You can buy sponge cakes for this recipe, if you like (preferably jam and cream filled). You could also buy a large meringue as well, to break up and use to fill and decorate the cake. In this case, you’ll need half the meringue ingredients only, to make the meringue sticks. Note

You need two medium pomegranates (640g) to get the required amount of pomegranate pulp. Note

These come from the Charente region of south-west France. The name generally refers to a nut-shaped puff from that region.

As the sauce is heated, the alcohol can ignite. It generally burns off in a matter of seconds, but shaking the pan will extinguish the flame. Keep a lid nearby, exercise caution and don’t use your exhaust fan when making this sauce. Note

These nuts are so moreish it will be hard to hand them over; to prevent such a dilemma, double the quantity and the problem is solved! Note

For an earthier flavour, barbecue the whole eggplant. First prick the skin all over with a fork, then cook the eggplant for about 30 minutes – depending on its size and the heat of the barbecue – or until the eggplant collapses. Cool the eggplant, peel away the skin, then proceed with the recipe. Mini […]

Kids will adore this Leo the Lion birthday cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook. He is the King of the Jungle, after all.

This gorgeous layered cake is the perfect balance of sweet and nutty. It's the perfect celebratory cake to serve at Christmas time.

Make your own marinated artichoke hearts to add to salads, your next share platter, or even give as a thoughtful gift.

To make chocolate curls, run a cheese slicer down the back of a slightly warmed block of chocolate. For smaller curls, run a vegetable peeler down the side of a block of chocolate. Note

You need a 7cm (2¾-inch) and a 5cm (2-inch) starshaped cutter. It’s best to use food colouring pastes rather than liquids. Roll, cut and bake one portion of dough at a time. While those biscuits are cooking , roll and cut the next batch, ready for the oven. Note

This recipe also makes 6 texas muffins (¾-cup/180ml); bake about 35 minutes. Note

Mad about marmalade? Then, this muffin is for you. Marmalades come in a range of flavours sweet through to bitter and everything in between. Try a bitter marmalade first, it teams so well with the almonds and the sweetness of the syrup. Note

You can crumb chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Place in single layer on tray, cover and refrigerate. Tonkatsu sauce is available from Asian food stores. Note

You need to cook about 2/3 cup (130g) white long-grain rice to get 2 cups of cooked rice. If using packaged microwave rice, use straight from the packet for this recipe. Note

Cake can be baked and cut into shape one day ahead; keep, covered, in refrigerator if weather is hot. Finish cake on day of serving, as per recipe. The remaining purple jelly can be used to make extra jelly cups. Young explorers will love this cake. The swamp is filled with murky (but delicious) jelly, […]

You will need to watch the sugar syrup carefully while it simmers for 5 minutes. It may be necessary to lift the pan from the heat several times to help maintain the correct temperature. For perfect results, use an accurate candy thermometer. Note

Sago and tapioca, while similar, are not the same and can’t be substituted for each other. Sago may be found labelled as `seed tapioca’ on some packets. It is available from most health-food stores and supermarkets. Note

Green (unripe) papayas are readily available in various sizes at many greengrocers, Asian food shops and markets. Select one that is very hard and slightly shiny, which indicates it’s fresh but not too unripe to grate or chop. Note

Recipe is best prepared as required. Note

Any small jubes or jelly sweets can be used. Use lightly oiled scissors to cut the jubes. Note

Keeping time: 4 days. Note

Instead of piping the cream cheese mixture onto the canapés, you can just use a teaspoon to drop small amounts on top of the mini toasts. Mini toasts are available from delis, groumet food shops and some supermarkets. Note

You will need about two bunches of rhubarb for this recipe. To spread the second layer of cake batter over the crumble, without mixing the two, dollop the batter into each corner first, then gently spread the batter toward the centre. Note

Rigatoni, a ridged, tube-shaped pasta, is ideal for baked dishes because it is wide and the hearty fillings cling to the indentations around the edges. Note

This recipe will make about 36 balls. You can also use this stuffing to fill the cavity of a whole turkey or 2 large chickens. Note

You’ll be prouder than a peacock when you present this cake at the party. The design is mainly in the placement of the lollies. Note

It’s important to use regular honey in the matzo cake, not the easy-to-pour liquefied version Note

A delicious and tri-coloured ice-cream topped with dark chocolate and almonds.

Allen’s Racing Cars and Pineapples can be found in Allen’s Teeth `n’ Stuff, Retro Party Mix and Classic Party Mix. Note

Asian-style pork and chicken stir-fry with a wonderfully rich black bean sauce.

Ehh, what's up doc? This cake, for one! Inspired by our favourite wacky wabbit, Bugs, this kids' favourite - straight from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook - is sure to be a hit.

Use only the lower white part of the lemon grass stem. Garlic, lemon grass and sweet chilli sauce lend a Thai accent to this recipe 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. Frying the herbs in butter, rather than adding them directly to the sauce, gives them extra flavour and keeps them bright green. Recipe not […]

When you think the toffee syrup has almost reached the colour we suggest, quickly remove the pan from the heat, remembering that the syrup will continue to cook and darken during this time. Let the bubbles subside, then drop a teaspoon of the syrup into a cup of cold water. The toffee should set the […]

This recipe also makes 12 standard muffins (⅓-cup/80ml capacity holes). Bake cakes for 20 minutes. Note

Pears, parsnips and red onion have a natural sweetness that is enhanced on roasting. This sweet flavour balances beautifully with pork’s creamy, fatty texture making it the perfect pairing. It’s the same reason apple works so well as an accompaniment with pork in all its forms. Note

Even though small guests may not be eating the cakes they’ll love the look of a duckling-topped cake. Make sure the ducks are completely dry and firm. The drying time will depend on the weather; if it’s wet or humid, it could take overnight. The ducklings will take less time to dry than the mother […]

You will need about 3 large overripe bananas for this recipe; mash 2 of them for enough mashed banana. Note

We cooked this recipe in two ovenproof dishes,­ each dish will serve three. We have deliberately used dried, uncooked pasta in this dish. The texture of the final dish is a little chewy, but still tender. Note

A fun and delicious gingerbread man that is great for kid's parties.

This playful, and friendly, looking monster will keep the little ones amused with its bright, cheery colours and smiling face. Note

Recreate your favourite Asian starter dish at home with delicious satay and sweet and sour sauces.

Tender pork loin stuffed with capsicum and ciabatta crumb and served with a rosemary gravy.

Kids love funny faces so Merv is bound to create peals of merriment Note

This Italian-style seafood, bean and tomato stew has a delicious combination of flavours and textures.

Be careful when frying mint as it will spit. Note

Store in an airtight container at a cool room temperature until ready to serve. Cake pops will keep for up to a week. Use red Candy Melts in place of tinted chocolate Melts if you like. Note

This deliciously tender slowcooked spiced chicken in coconut sauce from Australian Women's Weekly.

Omelettes can be made up to 3 hours ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator, roll and slice just before assembling salad. Note

Make sure the rose petals are chemical-free. Organic petals can be found at specialist cake decorating shops and some delicatessens. If fresh organic rose petals are unavailable, sprinkle cake with chopped rosewater-flavoured turkish delight. Rosewater will vary in strength between brands. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste. If using rosewater essence, start […]

Dry sherry can be used instead of mirin. Note

recipe best made just before serving microwave not suitable Note

You will need about eight passionfruit for this recipe. Note

Pie can be made a day ahead, keep, covered, in refrigerator. A deep-dish pie with generous helpings of fruit – perfect after a Sunday roast. Note