Modern Australian

When you have extra lemons, freeze juice in ice-cube trays for later use. You’ll need about 4 lemons. Note

You’ll need to steam or microwave about 300g peeled pumpkin for this recipe. You can also make this in a 19cm (base measurement) square pan. Note

Warm caster sugar by placing in baking tray in warm oven (160°C) for 2 minutes. Jamsetta is available from the baking aisle of any supermarket. To test if jam is set: Place a teaspoon of jam on a chilled saucer; cool. Push jam with a finger; if it wrinkles, it’s ready to bottle. Note

Swap peas for corn. Try 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives with the flour. Note

Equally delicious hot or cold, these individual baked rice custards take just a few minutes to put together and are the perfect way to use up leftover rice.

3 medium mashed bananas equals 1 1/2 cups. Note

Make sure butter is well creamed before adding sugar. This incorporates air and makes for a lighter cake. Use unsalted butter at room temperature, if preferred. For a richer cake, use 185 grams unsalted butter, 3 eggs and reduce milk to 1/4 cup. Continue as directed. Note

No carrot cake is complete without walnuts and cream cheese frosting and this one is no different.

Could your day get any better? Well yes, yes it could. Ladies and gentlemen, we present the cherry ripe slice that really is as good as it sounds. You can thank us later.

Makes 32 Note

Roast duck with cherry sauce

This gorgeous macadamia filo tart is topped with sweet pineapple. Enjoy it warm or cool with a dollop of ice-cream for an indulgent dessert.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Is there anything better than a scrumptious chocolate cheesecake covered in fresh berries? The same cheesecake with no baking required is definitely one step better.

This divine adult's-only mousse combines the perfectly paired flavours of creamy chocolate and rich liqueur to create this utterly indulgent weekend dessert.

Use a finely chopped onion if you don’t have a leek. Make croutons by toasting crestless bread and cutting into cubes. Alternatively, fry cubes of bread in a little oil or butter until golden. Note

These gorgeous cupcakes by Woman's Day are exquisitely delicate and absolutely perfect for a fairy themed birthday party or even an afternoon tea. Serve them on your daintiest china.

We used milk and water to to make the base, for a lighter result – all milk or all water can also be used. Milk is best for scones/scrolls. Note

Forequarter chops are sometimes quite large Simply halve them by slicing along the bone. Note

Crush biscuits in a food processor, or in a plastic bag using a rolling pin. It is imperative to beat the softened cream cheese well, to ensure a smooth end result. Gelatine and cream-cheese mixture should be combined when they are at a similar temperature, to prevent lumps forming. Note

For a spicy taste, add tabasco to capsicum and caper mayonnaise. Add more lemon juice if mayonnaise is too thick. Note

Remember to discard any rhubarb leaves. Apple, pear or pineapple would also be delicious in this cake. Note

Dress salad just before serving. Toast nuts by gently tossing in a dry frying pan for 1 minute. Note

This delicious savoury pie is extremely easy to make -simply mix all ingredients together and bake. It's great enjoyed fresh out of the oven with a side salad, or cut up and chilled for school or work lunches.

Rich in both flavour and texture and delicious hot or cold, enjoy this quiche with a side salad. For a milder version, substitite the greens with English spinach.

These biscuits will still be soft when they’re cooked, but will harden on cooling. Note

Kumara could be used in place of pumpkin, if preferred. Note

Test muffins with a skewer – if it comes out clean and dry, they are cooked. These muffins are best served warm. Note

We used a standard muffin pan – if you use mini muffin pans the mixture will make about 24. Reduce cooking time to 15 minutes Persian fairy floss (pashmak) is available from specialty and Middle Eastern food stores. Note

White Christmas is becoming a classic Australian treat for the festive season. It's not particularly sophisticated, but the taste means it doesn't have to be.

Bursting with the flavour and moistness of a whole orange, this amazing slice by Woman's Day will not last long. Made with the goodness and protein of almond meal, it's also gluten free.

Tina's sponge cake

This prize-winning sponge cake is featherlight and has the perfect texture for a classic sponge. Best served with lashings of whipped cream and the jam of your choice.

Sieve the dry ingredients through at least three or more times. It’s best if to use eggs that are a couple of days old to make this sponge cake. Use eggs that are at room temperature. Note

Fluffy sponge cake topped with all the indulgent joys of strawberries and cream. This one's bound to be a huge hit with the kids.

Janet's sponge cake

Slow-cooking the filling of this chunky pork and fennel pie brings out the natural sweetness of tender pork, and softens the aniseed flavour of the fennel.

You will need approximately 720g salmon for this recipe. Note

Switch out maple syrup for our chocolate butter for a creative, delicious topping for your pancakes.

Creamy parfait and the zesty salad come together to showcase an iconic flavour pairing of the culinary world - chocolate and orange.

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

If you prefer, add 1 cup grated carrot to the mixture in place of 1 banana. Note

You'll only need a sliver of a slice of this decadent and delicious banana cream pie created by the team at Woman's Day. That way, because it's just a sliver, you can have another.

What could possibly be more Australian than this beer damper? You'll be surprised at the subtle yet delicious flavour your best ale will create in this traditional bread.

Always ensure that your leek is washed well before cooking. A bouquet garni is a bundle of herbs tied together with string, used to prepare soup, stock, and various stews. It is cooked with the other ingredients, but removed prior to consumption. Note

This is a great way to use up leftover roast chicken. Note

If you like, make an icing by combining 2 cups icing sugar sifted with 2 tablespoons cocoa. Mix in 30g chopped butter and 1-2 tablespoons hot water. Stir until smooth. Note

Chocolate mud cake is possibly the most popular choice of cake, and for good reason. It's quite delicious! Use the best-quality chocolate you can afford for this version.

For ease, try using cooking oil spray to grease ramekins. You can add 1/4 cup chopped pecans to the mixture in step 3, if you like. Note

Be careful not to overheat the avocado as it may change colour or lose its shape. Note

The dressing can be added before chilling the salad. Toss noodles through just before serving. Note

These light, fluffy scones have the added sweetness of dates. They are perfect for a morning or afternoon snack.

To remove veins from prawns, remove heads and “hook” out the vein (dark spot where head is removed) with the tip of a knife or toothpick – pull gently. Note

A carefully applied cookie cutter will ensure these dainty pink and white themed honey biscuits are perfectly symmetrical. Enjoy them with your afternoon cuppa.

These light and fluffy muffins are naturally sweetened with dried sultanas, making them a perfect healthy lunchbox snack for school and work.

The classic Slovenian style sausage is at its best when char-grilled and smothered in freshly made sauerkraut. You'll love these kransky hot dogs on fresh, crispy rolls.

“Frenched” is when the shanks are trimmed of all excess fat and sinew. Both ends are often trimmed as well for presentation. It is not a necessary step. Note

A smaller amount of mixed fruit results a lighter, but equally delicious fruitcake. A generous slosh of sherry has still been added though, so there's no need to fret.

To make a light, fluffy teacake, it is important to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly, until mixture is as light and white as possible. Note

Use other thick white fish such as snapper or ocean perch. Note

Improve on perfection with the addition of tasty roasted hazelnuts to this fluffy, sugary meringue. Top with cream and fruit to create a beautiful pavlova for dessert.

This colourful loaf is stuffed full of bright and healthy Mediterranean vegetables and makes a delicious change from the usual sandwiches.

A candy/sugar thermometer will reach 160°C when the syrup is ready. Note

Place baking dish on a tray in oven as it may bubble over. Note

Create a classic Sunday roast at home with this timeless rosemary lamb recipe, complete with crispy golden potatoes and a refreshing mint jelly.

There’s no need to wash mushrooms beforehand – simply wipe them with a wet paper towel. Note

This quiche freezes well. You can also use homemade shortcrust pastry. Delicious with some added char-grilled capsicum or caramelised onion. Note

Unfilled sponge suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

The slightly astringent flavour of quince is softened during the slow-poaching, drawing out its richness. The fruit is soft and syrup drenched and delicious served with crisp, sweet filo fingers.

This “cake” is both fat free and gluten free. A V-slicer or mandoline will make short work of slicing the apples thinly. Note

Just for you: a simple recipe for a standing rib roast. For a perfect result, bring the meat to room temperature before roasting, season it well, and rest before serving.