Moderate

A classic Singaporean dish, these delicious noodles are tossed with prawns, pork and egg to create a real authentic flavour sensation.

You could stir some finely chopped and seeded cucumber into the remaining yoghurt. Note

Celeriac is a tuberous root with knobbly brown skin, white flesh and a celerylike flavour. Keep peeled celeriac in acidulated water to stop it discolour ing. In addition to being boiled and mashed, as we have done here, celeriac can be grated and eaten raw in salads; used in soups and stews; or sliced thinly […]

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. This dish is traditionally German or Eastern European, but France adopted it when it annexed the Alsace region in the mid 17th century. It […]

Refried beans are sold, canned, in most supermarkets, as are packaged flour tortillas. Made of pinto beans that are just parboiled then fried with various seasonings, refried beans are also known by their Mexican name of frijoles refritos. You will need to purchase one small iceberg lettuce for this recipe. Note

If you don’t like heavy fruit cake, this light fruit cake may just hit the spot. Note

An exquisitely Mediterranean breakfast dish served with a gorgeous capsicum olive relish.

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 Tiny heart cutters are sometimes sold as `aspic cutters’. We’ve scattered Allen’s Sour Rush Jelly Beans, Allen’s Milk Bottle Mania and Nestlé Melts White Cooking Compound around the […]

It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Note

This cake can also be made in a deep 18cm (7¼-inch) square cake pan. Note

If taking this salad to work, pack the dressing separately and add to the salad at lunch time. note Rice vermicelli is similar to bean thread noodles, only longer and made with rice flour instead of mung bean starch. It is available from supermarkets Note

Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour to prevent scorching during cooking. Yoghurt, cream or milk can be used instead of the buttermilk. Note

Our version of traditional Italian cannelloni takes homemade potato pancakes and fills them with a hearty, delicious vegetarian filling. Topped with bubbly, golden cheese, this is one dish you'll love.

Substitute pork with chicken. This recipe is best made just before serving. Note

You can use any flavoured jelly you wish. Note

The best French dessert of all time: delicious mini french éclairs with rich praline and smooth vanilla custard.

We used Grand Marnier liqueur in this recipe; you can use any orange flavoured liqueur you like. Note

Fruit mince is a mixture of dried fruits such as raisins, sultanas and candied peel, nuts, spices, apple, brandy or rum. It is used as a filling for cakes, puddings and fruit mince pies. Note

If taking this meal to work, roast tomato and prosciutto the night before; store in the fridge. Reheat in a microwave oven, on HIGH (100%), about 1 minute or until heated through. Toast the bread and assemble just before serving. 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

Punch is best served very cold. Try freezing some of the berries and lemonade together in shaped ice trays and add these to the punch instead of regular ice. This way, you won’t dilute the flavour. Note

Round steak, gravy beef (shin) and skirt steak are all suitable meats for this recipe. Pho is a breakfast favourite throughout Vietnam, but can be eaten it any time of the day. Note

Equipment: 2 x 12-hole (2-tablespoons/40ml) deep flat-based patty pans 24 standard paper cases (brown) 40cm-square prepared cake board decorations white and black decorating gel The recipe makes 24 cakes, however, we’ve only used 17 in our picture. Encourage the guests to bring their instruments, if possible, to a musically-themed party. A white board would make […]

Assemble pastries no more than an hour before serving, refrigerate until required. Note

Many cooks think pecans are only suitable used in desserts, but they are just as good in salads, stuffings and main courses. They are also great tossed in curry spices then roasted or coated in chocolate or toffee. Studies show that pecans contain the most antioxidants of any nut and about 60 per cent of […]

You will need to cook about 350g pumpkin for this recipe. Note

A member of the onion family, the leek resembles a green onion, but is much larger and more subtle in flavour. Baby or pencil leeks are beautifully tender and can be eaten whole with minimal cooking, but adult leeks are usually trimmed then chopped or sliced and cooked as an ingredient in stews, casseroles and […]

Equipment deep 15cm (6-inch) square cake pan 20cm (8-inch) square prepared cake board or cake stand small piping bag fitted with small plain tube Cake can be completed a day ahead of the party. You will have some cake mixture left over,­ use it to make cupcakes. Note

A light and zesty Italian-style dish that is a great summery dessert.

To tell if a peach is ripe, look around the stem of the peach, the absence of green skin plus a strong peach aroma indicates ripeness. If the skin is slightly green, it is not ripe. If peach stones are difficult to remove, leave them during roasting, they will come out more easily after cooking. […]

We used flathead fillets for this recipe. You need to soak 24 bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. Note

Pulled beef, or pork, comes from pulling extremely tender pieces of meat apart­ rather than cutting it into slices usually with two forks, which separates the meat into strands. Low, slow cooking is required to produce meat tender enough to pull apart into pieces. Note

Filling can be made a day ahead. Store, covered, in the fridge. Note

This Italian-style baked cheesecake uses ricotta for extra creaminess. The addition of mixed glace fruits brings another layer of sweetness you'll go mad over.

Swiss brown mushrooms, also known as roman or cremini, are light-to darkbrown in colour with a full bodied flavour. Store on a tray in a single layer, covered with damp, absorbent paper and keep where cool air can circulate around them. Note

Equipment Deep 15cm (6-inch) square cake pan 25cm (10-inch) square prepared cake board If the icing is set on the cake, you can attach the roses using a tiny dab of apricot jam. The ribbon is easier to tie around the cake if the icing is set. The cake can be completed about three days […]

Variously called sfinciuni or sfincione in Sicily, we call it delicious - a double-decker pizza with its aromatic filling hidden between the layers.

The sponge roll used for this recipe has a diameter of 10cm and a length of 16cm. Note

Equipment: Deep 30cm-round cake pan 2 x 20cm x 30cm lamington pans 2 bamboo skewers 3cm, 4cm, 6cm and 9cm-round cutters 40cm x 1m prepared cake board Decorations 3 rainbow sour straps, cut yellow strips from strap Note

Best made just before serving; prawns can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Note

Leek and potato are natural allies when teamed in a satisfying winter soup. Take care to wash the leeks well under cold water to remove any gri 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. Recipe suitable to freeze. Note

You can use a lamb backstrap instead of cutlets. Cook for 3-4 minutes each side and then slice thickly. If fresh broad beans are in season, you can use them instead of frozen ones. 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

Use a mandoline or V-slicer, available from kitchenware and department stores, to slice the fennel and radishes. Substitute salmon fillets for the ocean trout, if you prefer. For decoration and ease of handling either tie the rolls with kitchen string or secure them with toothpicks. Note

Rugelach, while they can be eaten throughout the year, are a Hanukkah tradition. The dough is usually made with cream cheese, and the fillings can include fruits, nuts, jams and chocolate. Sprinkle the dough lightly with ground cinnamon for extra spice. Note

Ready-made brownies can be found in the bakery section of most supermarkets. Note

Chicken can be coated with parmesan several hours ahead. Place in a single layer on a plate and keep refrigerated. Cook chicken and prepare salad as required. Note

Use a palette knife to press dough evenly over base of pan. Note

Use white Candy Melts in place of chocolate Melts for an extra-white finish. Note

Soak skewers in cold water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. Note

The basil mixture, without the lemon rind and juice, can be made several days ahead; keep tightly covered in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months. Add the lemon just before serving. Make sure you cook the haloumi just before serving, as it becomes tough and rubbery on cooling. Note

When peeling parsnips, make sure you remove all the bitter outer layer. Persillade is a mixture of chopped garlic and parsley traditionally used either as a garnish or to flavour a sauce, as we have done here. The secret to tender calves liver is to make sure you slice it into paper-thin scallops and then […]

We used cannellini beans but you can use any variety of canned white beans you like. Note

We used flathead fillets but use any firm white fish fillets you like; blue eye, bream, ling, whiting or snapper are all fine. Remove the fish when it is almost cooked; it will continue to cook off the heat. Recipe not suitable to freeze. Note

This cute and colourful birthday cake is perfect for young adventurers and little ones that love the outdoors.

School would be much more entertaining, and homework much more fun, if we could all have pencil cases as delicious as this one. Note

Parties for budding artists are popular ­and this cake will get them in the creative mood. It doesn’t matter if these pots tip over, nothing’s going to spill. Tint the icing any colours you like, just make them bright. Lollies could easily be hidden under the glacé icing. You’ll have enough cake mixture left over […]

If seedless white grapes are out of season, simply purchase white grapes and seed them yourself. The high sugar content of this dessert will ensure the gelato remains soft and will not freeze solid. Note

Now we are six! Celebrate this auspicious occasion with this delightful sssssnakey ssssix cake, by the Australian Women's Weekly. The birthday boy or girl will be delighted!

Keeping time: 3 days. Note