There should be no complaints at the dinner table when you present the family with good old fashioned lamb and vegetables. We've made things a little more exciting with the addition of mint sauce; it goes wonderfully with spring lamb.

EQUIPMENT 40cm (16-inch) square cake board Use assorted cream-filled rollettes for a colourful alternative. Note

We used sun-dried capsicum pesto for this recipe, but any bottled “red” pesto, such as tomato, could be used. Note

The perfect black olive paste for tapas, platters or simply a snack!

This delicious pressure-cooker dish makes the most of tender spring lamb, and fresh spring vegetables.

It’s important to measure the closed springform pan, the measurement appearing on the base of the springform pan sometimes refers to the measurement of the pan when it is open. Note

A soft and tender braised lamb and yoghurt curry from Australian Women's Weekly.

Puff pastry squares make a light, tasty and adorable case for these delicious and fresh tomato, leek and feta tartlets.

Succulent figs add interest, depth and flavour to this deliciously easy chocolate caramel slice.

A simple mix of spicy chorizo, vinegary artichoke, sweet capsicum and fresh tomato and leaves, this flavourful salad is a perfect side for a summer barbecue.

Ready-made tzatziki is available from the refrigerated dip section of large supermarkets.You can also make your own. Note

Light and fluffy white chocolate and macadamia cake from Australian Women's Weekly.

A healthy white bean, corn and avocado salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

For a milder pesto, substitute baby spinach leaves for rocket. Note

Bake pine nuts on oven tray in moderate oven about 5 minutes or until toasted. Note

You can use any coloured jelly beans you like. Choose a writing icing to match the colour of the jelly beans. Note

Forget strawberyy or raspberry jam, kiwi fruit and apple jam is the perfect preserve. Elevate your dishes in four simple steps.

You just can't go wrong with this traditional Christmas turkey with forcemeat stuffing of onion, bacon, pork, chicken, breadcrumbs, parsley, pistachios and tarragon.

This risoni and bean salad is robust enough for a light yet satisfying vegetarian lunch, or perfect as a side dish for grilled chicken or steak.

These simple white cakes make an elegant wedding cake for an all-white wedding.

Well, this is one way to increase the kids' fruit intake! Be warned, these caramelised apples are dangerously delicious.

White chocolate, pineapple and coconut slice from Australian Women's Weekly.

This exceedingly rich, decadent dessert is just the ticket at the end of a long dinner party with friends. Serve with coffee and lots of laughs.

A decadent and rich dessert with berries, warm white chocolate and Malibu liqueur.

Lamb’s lettuce, also known as mache or corn salad, has a mild, almost nutty flavour and tender dark-green leaves. It’s commonly sold in 125g punnets; you will need four punnets for this recipe. Note

Separate chicken livers into halves by cutting lobes apart. Note

Warm, hearty and creamy, this potato and bacon soup is packed full of delicious ingredients to create the ultimate comfort food - perfect for Winter evenings.

The vanilla bean can be reused, wash and dry well, store in an airtight container or add to a container of sugar for vanilla-scented sugar. Note

equipment deep 23cm (9¼-inch) square cake pan 30cm (12-inch) square prepared cake board Note

If roasted hazelnuts are unavailable, you can roast your own. Place nuts on an oven tray; roast at 200°C about 5 minutes or until the skins begin to split. Rub hazelnuts in a tea towel to remove most of the skins. Cool. Fresh pomegranate seeds can sometimes be found in packs in the fridge section […]

The salad, without the dressing, can be made several hours ahead and refrigerated, covered. Toss the dressing through the salad just before serving. For an even more Mediterranean touch, add about 200g of diced fetta cheese to the salad. Note

Bright, light and fresh, these lime and coriander oysters make a great starter or shared platter for a party.

Light and spicy crumbed chicken to share with your friends and family.

Finely chopped walnuts, hazelnuts or macadamias can be used instead of the pecans. Top each biscuit with a chocolate-covered coffee bean or an almond kernel, if you like. Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Note

Burgers can be prepared 3 hours ahead and refrigerated, covered. Note

Once upon a time, your grandmother made a thrifty bread pudding with leftover bread, and some basic store items. This chocolate pecan bread pudding is something quite, quite different.

Pleating the foil allows the cake to expand as it cooks. Use a piece of foil slightly larger than the pan. Fold the foil to create a pleat down the centre. We used a loaf pan with a capacity of 3 litres (12 cups). The uniced cake can be made a day ahead; store in […]

The ultimate comfort food, this cauliflower cheese has a crunchy cheese and herb topping.

Apple is a traditional pairing for roast pork, adding raspberry just intensifies the delicious pairing of tender meat and applesauce. Serve with vinegary cabbage and potatoes.

Sour and crunchy, green mangoes are just immature fruit that can be eaten as a vegetable in salads, salsas, curries and stir-fries. They will keep, wrapped in plastic, in the fridge for up to two weeks. Note

This potato, onion and herb pie makes a nice change from more meatier versions. It is delicious either hot or cold.

Perfect as part of a spread of shared starters or just as a snack, this garlic toast with feta and olive dip is also quick and easy to make.

Use barbecued chicken breast with the skin removed, leftover roast chicken, or pan-fried or poached chicken breasts. If making ahead of time, don’t dress the salad until ready to serve. We used a fat-free french vinaigrette, but dress the salad with your favourite fat-free dressing. Note

You could use any Christmas cookie cutter to make these biscuits, but angels and snowflakes work the best.

Sherry vinegar is available in some supermarkets; if unavailable, substitute red or white wine vinegar. Note

You'll be seriously popular after you serve up these hot little banana, chocolate and peanut butter turnovers.

When you drop the whoopie pie mixture onto trays ensure that the mixture is in round shape. The shape that the mixture is dropped onto the trays will be similar to the cooked shape. Note

Equipment: 2 x 10cm (4-inch) round cardboard cake boards. 10cm (4-inch) round wooden cake board 2 x 12cm (4¾-inch) round wooden cake boards. 6 wooden skewers. Use ganache instead of butter cream, if you prefer. Once the cakes are covered in butter cream or ganache, they will keep for about a week at a cool […]

Marshmallows are best eaten on the day they are made when they are at their softest. Note

This dessert recipe is a great way to show off your baking skills with a beautiful result; remember that room temperature egg whites will beat better than cold ones.

Self-saucing puddings are quite magical really, and the best thing of all is that they’re complete when they come out of the oven. You only need a scoop of ice- cream, custard or cream for serving. Always let the pudding stand for at least 5 minutes before serving. Note

Store rolled up in baking paper in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Chia seeds are a gluten-free wholegrain that contain fibre, omega-3 fats and protein, they are very high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals including potassium, magnesium and calcium. The seeds are available at health food stores and from large supermarkets in […]

It is fine to use just 1 x 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. This recipe also makes 6 texas muffins (¾-cup/180ml); bake about 40 minutes. Note

This spiced lentil and roasted kumara soup is just the ticket for those times when you're after a light, meat-free meal full of vitamins and flavour. Serve with crusty bread.

Lamb can be prepared and refrigerated the day before, but is best cooked on the morning of the picnic. Fill the pittas as close to departure time as possible. Baba ghanoush is a roasted eggplant (aubergine) dip or spread. It is available from delicatessens and most supermarkets. Note

A perfect and fun ten soda and pizza cake for you child's birthday party.

Rigatoni is a ridged pasta that looks like thick, short penne, its grooves and wide centre help hold chunky sauces. Note

Orange blossom water, also known as orange flower water, is made by distilling the blossoms of the bitter-orange tree. These orange blossom friands are sweet, bitter and fragrant all at once. Divine.

Serve puff pops within 6 hours of making. When dipping the puff pops in toffee, tilt the pan of toffee to one side, so it’s deep enough to completely coat the pops. Dip one end of each stick in toffee too, this will ensure the pops don’t fall off the sticks. Note

These potato and goat cheese puffs will make a moreish and tasty addition to your next dinner party hors-d'oeuvre selection. To save on time, make them in advance and cook just before serving.

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

Perfect for an after school snack, or school and work lunches these mini ham and corn quiches are easy and tasty and appealing.

John dory is a mild tasting fish that lends itself well to a multitude of flavours. We've given it an Asian influence here, teaming it with chilli and coconut rice.

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Note

This decadent dark chocolate mousse cake is delicately spiced with cinnamon and cardomom and topped with a tangy pomegranate syrup.

You need to cut the kernels from two small corn cobs for this recipe. Fritters and tomatoes can be made 6 hours ahead and reheated in a slow (150°C/(130°C fan forced). Note