Modern Australian

Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Note

Wrap individual wedges in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. Defrost as required either overnight in the refrigerator or in the microwave on HIGH (100%) for 1 minute. Note

Tuna sold as sashimi has to meet stringent guidelines regarding its handling and treatment after leaving the water. Regardless, it is still probably a good idea to know your fishmonger quite well, or to seek advice from local authorities before eating any raw seafood. Note

Quick, easy and fun chicken curry pot pies to impress the kids.

The chocolate and oil for the topping can be melted together in a microwave oven. Make topping just before serving ice-cream. Note

There are few platters more impressive than those piled high with fresh, local seafood. Finish off the jewels of the sea with delicious dipping sauces; serve with chilled white wine, or go all the way with a bottle of bubbles.

This salad could hardly be simpler, but the combination of shredded chicken, fresh figs and bitter leaves makes for a quietly spectacular dish.

Cointreau would work well for the liqueur in this recipe, although if you want to keep it booze free, orange juice would also do. Either way, for the amount of time involved the result is deceptively fancy.

Salting the zucchini draws out excess moisture. Some salt will remain after you squeeze out this moisture, so season the fritters lightly. Chop the basil for the fritters just before using as it will start to blacken. The fritters and pesto can be made a day ahead; refrigerate in separate airtight containers. To reheat fritters, […]

The hardest thing about this chocolate peanut cookie recipe is stopping yourself eating all the chocolate covered peanuts that are destined for the bowl.

Tender and slow-cooked beef in red wine sauce with roasted tomatoes from Australian Women's Weekly.

Equipment: 3 x 12-hole (1/3-cup/80ml) standard muffin pans, 30 standard paper cases. The icing will set quickly, so return it to the pan of water and reheat it gently until it’s runny again. Don’t overheat the icing or it will crystallise. A tiered cake plate is the perfect way to show off these ever-popular patty […]

A healthy and delicious snack; wholemeal fruit and coconut loaf from Australian Women's Weekly.

You can use white balsamic vinegar instead of the champagne vinegar. Chervil is a delicately flavoured herb with anise overtones and a soft feathery texture. You can use coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley instead. Note

Light, fluffy buttermilk pancakes are delicious enough to serve as dessert as well as breakfast, especially when they're topped with strawberries and ice-cream!

Give your bubbles a little tropical twist with these delicious mango cocktails. Cheers!

One of the classic flavour combinations, sweet mild pear and fiery ginger make for a delicious biscuit.

A banana and coconut relish from Australian Women's Weekly.

If you prefer, substitute finely sliced zucchini or trimmed asparagus for the sprouts. Note

Roasting stone fruit intensifies their flavour, as well as softening the flesh. These roasted peaches are doubly fragrant thanks to the honey and vanilla pods.

Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces for younger toddlers. Adults can add chopped red onion, coriander (cilantro) and capsicum to the salsa for extra colour and flavour. Note

You can use 1½ cups (240g) of fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels instead of canned if you prefer. Note

These delicate smoked trout and freshly pickled onion squares have a big flavour for such a little bite.

Use any combination of melons you like. You could prepare this salad the day before, if you like; keep, covered, in the fridge. Add mint and juice to the melons when you're ready to enjoy.

20cm x 30cm (8-inch x 12-inch) rectangular cake pan; 8cm x 25cm (3¼-inch x 10-inch) bar cake pan; 35cm x 45cm (14-inch x 18-inch) rectangular cake board Note

Reserve some of the fronds from the fennel before slicing and sprinkle over the pizzas to serve. You can use sour cream instead of crème fraîche.

Roast lamb is always a crowd pleaser. Team it with mint sauce and you'll be rewarded with rapturous applause and cheering. Well, almost.

This chicken filo pie makes a great centrepiece for a weekend lunch with friends, or a picnic in the park.

A rich and warming leek, bean and mushroom bake infused with red wine, passata and fresh thyme.

These decadent self-saucing puddings are complete with an oozy melted chocolate centre. Serve drizzled with a rich caramel sauce and a dollop of vanilla ice-cream for the ultimate weekend dessert.

Recipe can be made a day ahead and refrigerated, covered. Note

This is the trifle to end all trifles, the recipe for the ultimate trifle. Sponge fingers, liqueur, raspberries, strawberries and a liqueur spiked mascarpone cream. Delicious.

The Australian Women's Weekly Kids' Perfect Party Book

You'll get more howls of delight than of fear when you bring this spooky ice-cream cake out! A firm favourite from The Australian Women's Weekly Kids' Perfect Party Book.

Fresh and colourful date and orange salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

Make your own bourbon-glazed ham with a warm potato and celery salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

Colourful and exciting tamarind and chilli octopus salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

if you can’t find orecchiette pasta, replace it with penne. Note

If ruby red grapefruit are unavailable, use orange segments. Note

On a cold winter evening, especially in the middle of the week, there's nothing like a warm, creamy pasta bake to fill your family up.

Red quinoa (pronounced keen-wa), is the seed of a leafy plant similar to spinach. Quinoa is gluten-free and has a delicate, slightly nutty taste and chewy texture; it is available from health food stores and in the health food aisle at larger supermarkets. You could also use white quinoa. Rinse it well before boiling. To […]

Topped with a fresh, juicy cherry, these delicate little cherry almond tartlets make a sophisticated afternoon tea treat.

Fun and great for sharing; white choc-chip orange and cranberry muffins from Australian Women's Weekly.

A fortified wine, like sherry and port, muscat is the result of grapes left to ripen well beyond normal harvesting time, resulting in a concentrated dark, toffee-coloured wine with a rich yet mellow flavour. Note

There's no need to resort to fast food on a busy night when there are healthy recipes that are as fast and simple as this pea and pesto soup.

This spicy beef and mushroom soup will warm you up on a cold winters night.

Sweet and rich hazelnut and espresso friands make a delicate and exquisite afternoon tea treat.

There are fewer things more delicious than char-grilled seafood with herby garlic butter.

EQUIPMENT 1 x 20cm (8-inch) cardboard cake board; 2 x 8cm (3-inch) cardboard cake boards; paper piping bag; 50cm (20-inch) square-cake board. We used ganache in this recipe to hold the larger drum in place as it sets firmer than the frosting. Note

Who doesn't love a good meat pie?

Oysters always make a wonderful starter or shared platter for parties, try serving up half natural and half dressed with our pickled lemon dressing.

Oil will solidify on refrigeration; bring to room temperature before serving. Recipe best made 3 days ahead; can be refrigerated for up to 3 months. Note

Delicious pink barbecued lamb with a smoky and crunchy crust with a date and pistachio couscous.

No single category of nutrient has been more clearly determined to have anti-inflammatory health benefits than omega-3 fatty acids, and tuna is packed full of them.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Note

After experiencing the flavour and crunchiness of homemade crisps, you will never need to open another packet again. You can also use russet burbank or spunta potatoes for this recipe. Note

These delicious herb-crusted lamb racks are brilliant served with kipfler potatoes and a green salad to create a gourmet dinner the whole family will love. Leaving the racks to rest for 10 minutes will guarantee a tender result.

Plump scallops turn this creamy fennel and potato soup into something really special, the perfect starter for a winter dinner party.

A delicious tomato, zucchini & oregano slice from Australian Women's Weekly.

You can make these egg-and-dairy-free cupcakes in either vanilla or chocolate flavour, or if you're catering for many, make a batch of each.

These tarts are best made immediately before serving to prevent the pastry going soggy. You can pre-roast the tomatoes ahead of time, but don’t assemble the tarts until just before serving. Serve topped with chervil, if you like. Note

Store slice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Note

If you're looking for the perfect recipe for a light weekend lunch with friends, these tender chicken kebabs with roast pecan salad is it.

If preferred, melt chocolate with Copha in the microwave oven on medium (50 per cent) power in 1-minute bursts, stirring after each. Also, to make it easier, spoon the chocolate over the balls and then sprinkle with the coconut or cocoa. Note

Make the perfect tapas-style dish; warm olives and chilli from Australian Women's Weekly.

Studded with chopped up Chokito bars, these chewy chocolate caramel cookies are perfect for afternoon tea-time treats.