Modern Australian

Chermoula is often made of a mixture of herbs, oil, lemon juice, pickled lemons, garlic, cumin, and salt. It is wonderful with pulled pork.

Homemade jam doubtless beats the store bought version any day. Why don't you break away from the traditional berry flavoured jams and try this more tropical flavoured version? You'll be glad you did.

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

The cake and ice- cream cones can be prepared one day before the party. The frosting is best spread over the cake about an hour before serving. The frosting will lose its gloss after an hour or so. Note

This recipe is best made close to serving. White balsamic vinegar is slightly sweet, and is available in the vinegar section in selected supermarkets and grocery stores. Note

Damper is a crusty Australian flat bread, originally cooked by the early settlers. Note

This cousin to the apple is always eaten cooked, as it is too hard and acidic to be enjoyed raw. It takes a long time to cook, but its glorious scent and lovely musky flavour are worth it. Its flesh is cream when raw, but turns a deep rosy pink as it is cooked.

Create the ultimate summer BBQ dish with grilled lamb chops and sun-dried tomato pesto.

Packed full of the goodness of legumes, this chickpea and lentil salad makes a delicious vegetarian lunch option for those wanting an quick and healthy meal.

Warm steak seasoned with smoked paprika makes for a filling and delicious salad packed with protein and flavour.

Anchovy and chilli add flavour and spice to these delicious lamb chops, served with cavolo nero and smooth mashed potatoes.

Tagliatelle are long, flat strips of wheat pasta, slightly narrower and thinner than fettuccine.

Stir the cooled cocoa and water mixture into the cake batter. Spread the cake mixture into the greased and lined cake pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top. Note

For bold icing colours, we used powdered food colourings, available from cake decorating shops and some health food stores. Mixing the powder with a small amount of hot water, before stirring into the icing, gives a better result; liquid colourings can be used for pale colours. Note

Who could resist the tropical turtle with her yummy chocolate shell? Note

The veal can be marinated overnight. Note

To make the perfect soft-boiled eggs, place eggs in a small saucepan and barely cover with cold water. Cover the pan and bring to boil; then boil, uncovered, for 3 minutes, drain. Shell eggs when cool enough to handle. You can use either heirloom or cherry tomatoes, if you like. Note

A citrus-flavoured liqueur, such as Grand Marnier, can be substituted for the coconut liqueur, if you prefer. Note

Crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside, these croquettes can be more than just a starter when they're served with vegies or salad.

You need to start the recipe the day before. Note

Tangy garlic and lemon yoghurt makes a fabulous dipping sauce for these plump fried prawns.

Two 20cm x 30cm (8-inch x 12-inch) rectangular cake pans 35cm x 40cm (14-inch x 16-inch) rectangular cake board toothpicks. Position paper pattern on cake, cut out butterfly using a sharp knife. Use toothpicks to transfer butterfly markings from paper pattern onto the cake. Spread different coloured butter creams on butterfly markings. The butterfly is […]

Treat your guests to this indulgent char-grilled lobster tail salad.

Hearty and meaty, these flavour-packed lamb and rosemary pies are perfect for a hungry family on a cooler evening or weekend. They'll taste amazing enjoyed straight from the oven.

It’s important to measure the cake mixture carefully, so the cakes are all the same depth. Make the full amount of mixture; it will be fine standing at room temperature while you bake the cakes in batches. We used standard sized foil cases and scrapbooking decorations, available from craft and shops. Note

Layers of sponge cake and vanilla ice-cream topped with a fresh rhubarb compote makes this vanilla and rhubarb slice a wonderful summer dessert.

The parfait can also be made in a 10.5cm x 23.5cm (4-inch x 9½-inch) terrine or loaf pan; grease, then line the base and sides with baking paper, extending the paper over two long sides. serving suggestion Serve with extra raspberries and cherries. You will need to start this recipe a day ahead. Note

You can buy cooked crab meat at the local fish markets or supermarket. Alternatively, buy fresh crabs and cook them (blue swimmer crabs are good). To tell if crabs are meaty, look at the claws; if they are pointy and sharp it means they have a new shell and don’t have much meat. If the […]

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Use a mandoline or V-slicer to slice the zucchini quickly and evenly. Note

These muffins are delicious without the orange sauce. However, the rich buttery sauce transforms them into a dessert for grown-ups. Grand Marnier (or brandy) is the best liqueur to use. Remember to grate the rind of the oranges before you juice them. If the muffins need re-heating, 20 or 30 seconds in a microwave oven […]

Oysters are delicious raw, but when cooked are surprisingly versatile with their unique flavour seeming to go well with just about anything. Here we've prepared them with a delicious pesto butter.

Spice up your barbecue with this side of sirloin and sweet ginger rub. Remember to stand the meat for at least 15 minutes before slicing and you'll be rewarded with a moist and tender meat.

Crispy and crunchy butterflied chicken from Australian Women's Weekly.

EQUIPMENT deep 26cm x 36cm (10½-inch x 14½-inch) baking dish 45cm x 50cm (17-inch x 18-inch) rectangular cake board small paper piping bag. DECORATIONS silver cardboard, for buckle; 1 black licorice strap; 100g (3 ounces) white chocolate Melts; coloured sprinkles. With magic and mayhem being all the rage these days, there are sure to be […]

With a pile of buttery mash and a serve of your favourite vegetables, these old-fashioned rissoles and gravy for dinner will please the whole family.

Whip up these tasty fish fingers with fresh, whole ingredients and pop them on a little pile of crisp colourful coleslaw and dig in. The kids will love you for it and you'll tick off a good portion of your five-a-day and fish intake.

For crisp-skinned salmon, salt the skin before pan-frying or barbecuing, and cook skin-side down first. The salt helps draw any moisture out of the skin to make it crisp. Turn only once to complete cooking.

Tender whole baby snapper roasted with lemon and fennel makes a great centrepiece for a relaxed meal with friends.

Chutney will thicken on standing, it should be quite runny after cooking. Note

If you have overnight guests or friends coming for breakfast, prepare the recipe ahead for a breakfast of muffins fresh from the oven! The muffin batter is partially made the day before and refrigerated overnight, needing only a few more minutes of preparation before baking and serving. Note

A rich and flavourful breakfast, lunch or dinner salad of bacon, egg and endive with shallot mayonnaise

This healthy and delicious toast topping combination will leave you wanting savoury breakfasts every day. The combination of creamy smashed avocado, nutty tahini and roasted sumac tomatoes creates a beautiful meal.

Try these delicious mushroom spread toasties at your next gathering. The intense flavour and creamy texture of the mushrooms contrasts beautifully with the perfectly crispy toast base.

Microwave Suitable Note

Little fried cheese pastries. Four different types of cheese and a sliver of salami. Yes, they taste as good as they sound. You're welcome.

You could add white rum to this delicious passionfruit sparkler to make a refreshing party punch if you like.

6 serving plates, or a large serving tray Use a mixture of jam and cinnamon doughnuts, mini jam doughnuts and doughnut holes, if you like. Note

Just a few extra ingredients and about half an hour in the kitchen and you can turn regular chocolate ice-cream into a delicious and very sophisticated dessert.

Fresh grapevine leaves can be found in most specialist greengrocers. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-packed leaves in brine from Middle-Eastern food stores; rinse and dry well before using. Note

A quick and easy zucchini and corn pasta from Australian Women's Weekly.

You will need to grate about 3 carrots for this recipe. Use the grating blade of the processor if desired. Note

This delicious spin on traditional bruschetta is a perfect starter for a summer barbecue.

Cover macaroons with foil halfway through baking time if fruit on top starts to brown. You need about 50g (1½ ounces) of each glacé fruit. Note

The combination of fresh mixed tomatoes, creamy buffalo mozzarella and cured prosciutto works perfectly together in this fresh summer salad.

Layers of chocolate cake, meringue, strawberries and cream make this gateau the perfect dessert for a very special celebration.

Almond and apricot stuffed pork leg; great for sharing with friends and family.

You'll be looking forward to lunch all day with this appetising wrap. Filled with tender beef strips, yummy capsicum and piquant horseradish, it's easy to make and satisfying to eat.

EQUIPMENT 30cm (12-inch) round wooden cake board 20cm (8-inch) round wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board 6 wooden cake skewers small offset metal spatula 2 x quantities fluffy frosting Fresh organic flowers white florist’s tape Make the frosting after you have stacked and secured the cakes. You need to work quickly once […]

Tender pork loin well stuffed makes a fabulous centrepiece for a special dinner. You can add pine nuts for added bite, or in place of the macadamia nuts, if you like.

Cooking fish correctly is simple, as long as you remember that it will continue to cook once it's removed from the pan. Salmon is best if it is slightly undercooked, as this gives the best texture and taste.

This is a simply luscious cake, with its layers of sponge, mango and coconut mascarpone.

This tasty vegetarian omelette combines fresh asparagus, potato and mint to create a brilliant healthy breakfast for any day of the week.

A creamy and tropical Bounty cocktail from Australian Women's Weekly.

Chunks of spicy chorizo add flavour, texture and heft to this delicious chickpea soup.

Tender T-bone steaks with blue-cheese butter and a sweet pear salad from Australian Women's Weekly.