Modern Australian

Boris the clown is a fun and delicious cake for children's birthday parties.

You will need one bunch of red radishes for this recipe. This recipe is best made just before serving, it will become soggy if left standing. Note

You need to buy triple the quantity of the ingredients for this recipe. You will need to make three separate batches: do not double or triple this recipe. It’s important to measure the cake mixture carefully so the cakes are all the same depth. The mixture will be fine standing at room temperature while you […]

For a vegetarian option, replace the bacon with low-fat cottage cheese. If you can’t find baby basil leaves, just roughly chop larger leaves. Note

This technique, also known as en papillote, steams food in a closed pouch made from baking paper or foil. The parcel keeps the fish moist, and retains the flavour of the vegetables. Serve the food in the pouch at the table. Note

Thickly sliced fresh nectarines or peaches can be used in place of figs. Note

There's no need to get your boning knife out for this simple, tasty lamb leg with garlic and thyme, just ask your butcher to butterfly a leg of lamb for you.

We used packham pears in this recipe. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the reduced syrup if it is too sweet. Note

Instead of brandy snaps, you could use ginger snap, butternut snap or honey snap biscuits. Note

Roasting cherry tomatoes intensifies the flavour and transforms them into a lovely accompaniment to the lamb. Note

The molten part of this chocolate pudding is created by not cooking this dish all the way through, but just enough to create a piping hot 'molten' like centre, that combines beautifully with the good quality vanilla ice cream or cream that you'll spoon on top!

You can double or triple the quantities, filling large dishes to serve a crowd. Do ahead This recipe can be prepared a day ahead to the end of step 3, cover and refrigerate. Finish the recipe when you’re ready to serve. Substitutes You can use a combination of other cheeses such as parmesan, vintage cheddar, […]

You need to press the cake mixture into balls using your hands, ­ do not roll as the mixture will crumble. You will need 25 lollypop or paddle pop sticks for this recipe. When dipping the popcakes in chocolate, tilt the bowl of chocolate to one side, so the chocolate is deep enough to completely […]

Store rocky road in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Note

Fun envelope cookies for special occasions like weddings and engagement parties.

This recipe is gluten-free, wheat-free, yeast-free and nut-free. You will need about 3 medium carrots (360g) for this recipe. storage Note

To keep the glossy finish to the frosting, the cake needs to be frosted up to an hour before the party. The frosting soon dries out to resemble cooked meringue. Note

There's nothing abstemious about this gluten-free chocolate cake recipe, especially not with the luscious chocolate frosting all over it.

Tiny, blue-grey poppy seeds add texture and a slightly nutty taste. Note

Enjoy these sweet little cranberry and coconut treats with a cup of tea or coffee and good conversation.

Pick up a cooked chicken on your way home from work and you can have this delicious and hearty meal on the table soon after you walk in the front door.

The smooth, truffley mousse layered on top of a rich chocolate cake gives this dish a particular depth of flavour and texture. Perfect for a special celebration.

Tasty and tender, these chicken, carrot and feta patties make a great lunch or light dinner.

If preferred, use eating chocolate, broken into pieces for melting. Be careful not to overheat chocolate when melting as it will become hard and unusable. Add a few drops of peppermint essence to the mixture if liked. Note

Trim the edges of the lettuce leaves with kitchen scissors to make them look neater. Hold lettuce, cored end up, under cold running water. The water will get between the leaves, making them slip off easily and intact. Note

Embossed cookie cutters come with assorted messages and are available from cake decorating and kitchen shops, and most larger department stores. Or, you can stamp a message with individual letters into the cookie dough. You need a 7.5cm (3-inch) round fluted cutter, a 7.5cm (3-inch) embossed cookie cutter and a piping bag fitted with a […]

Smoked salmon can be used instead of trout, if preferred. Note

Soak 12 bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. Note

Did you know? White chocolate is not considered real chocolate because, while it has cocoa butter,it does not have chocolate liquor, which comes from the finely ground nib (centre) of the cocoa bean.

Plump raisins and tender pecans make this fruit loaf a great choice for breakfast or afternoon tea.

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Egg rings are available at selected supermarkets and homeware stores. Note

These delicious seafood fritters channel the flavours of an Asian street food market. Packed full of juicy prawns and fragrant coconut, they go brilliantly with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce and fresh salad.

This yummy chicken mixture is great for party nibbles. The roasted almonds add a lovely crunch to these picture-perfect rolls.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Peppery rocket is one of the best things to top a pizza in recent years, and is perfect paired with ham, cherry tomatoes and ricotta on these simple pita pocket pizzas.

These berry frangipane tarts are perfect for a simple afternoon tea celebration. Serve them with a small dish of clotted cream for that little something extra.

Kumara dampers are a marriage of old Australia and new, of bush practicality and modern, urban culinary exploration. The pumpkin scone of Modern Australian cuisine.

Perfect for school lunches, picnics or after-school snacks and equally delicious hot or cold, these mini leek and parmesan fritters will always satisfy hungry mouths.

Use the yellow and lighter green leaves from the heart of the celery. Note

Serve with chopped mint or basil leaves. Note

A fresh, bright and light salad with delicate crab meat, tender avocado, bitter leaves and fresh red chilli, great as a starter or light lunch.

If you can’t get fresh broad beans (fava beans), use frozen ones, these also need the beige-green shell removed. Note

Instead of pure vegetable oil to deep-fry, you can blend it (50/50) with sesame oil. Note

Vincotto honey and rosemary take these spiced, poached pears to another level. An elegant end to a dinner party.

Carrot raita

You can substitute well-drained canned asparagus for the fresh, if desired. Note

Tasty, spiced prawn skewers make a fabulous lunch with salad and char-grilled bread on the side.

You can substitute the extra ricotta with cream cheese, if you like. Note

An exquisite variant on barbecued beef fillet - impress your guests with this succulent dish.

This is our twist on a caesar salad ­ the addition of potato makes this recipe suitable for a quick dinner or an easy option for lunch at work. For a low-fat version, replace the mayonnaise with skim-milk natural yogurt. The breadcrumbs can be toasted in the oven instead of frying them. Note

If you want to make the bread a little lighter in colour and texture, use half white self-raising flour with the wholemeal self-raising flour. Note

A fresh and fragrant braised duck dish that is fragrant and full of flavour. Most types of dried mushrooms will work well; if you want to stick with the Asian theme of the dish, use dried shiitakes.

Nashi pears and fresh herbs help make this grilled asparagus, fennel and walnut salad a study in contrasting flavours and textures.

Try this delightfully citrusy orange flavoured macaroon cake next time you're asked to 'bring a plate'. The unique combination and texture of coconut and orange will be a sure fire winner.

Replace toys with caramello koalas or teddy bear biscuits, edible flowers and lollies shaped like picnic foods, such as fruits, hot dogs and pizza. You’ll find lots of toys to easily decorate cakes in variety shops or toy stores. Note

medium GI Note

You need about 1.3kg fresh peas to get the amount of podded peas required for this recipe. Note

A warm and filling broad bean and corn soup from Australian Women's Weekly.

Balsamic Dressing Combine ingredients in screw-top jar, shake well. Note

The rosemary spiked into the lamb infuses the meat with the most wonderful flavour, while the lemony marinade flavours both the lamb and the vegetables.

Fruity and fabulous, this cheesecake is perfect for picnics, parties or just dessert.

When folding flour into egg mixture, you can use a large metal spoon, a rubber spatula, a whisk or use one hand like a rake. “This is my mum’s recipe, and whenever I go home, I’ll always find one waiting in the cake tin.” Note

Use a 150ml cocktail glass; garnish a straw. Note

Store-bought pesto is available from the refrigerated section of most supermarkets (near the dips). You will also find it in the pasta aisle. Note

We used blue-eye fillets in this recipe. Note