Modern Australian

There’s no need to cover the pudding steamer with foil or a lid because it is covered when the lid is placed on the cooker. Note

This cake needs to be made at least a day ahead. Or, up to 2 days ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

This fresh spring frittata combines frozen broad beans and peas with ricotta to create an easy dinner that can be on the table in 30 minutes. It's just as good served up for lunch the next day.

A gingerbread house that’s almost too pretty to eat, but try telling the kids that! Note

Prepare the mushrooms ready for grilling the day before; keep covered in the fridge. Mushrooms can be grilled up to 30 minutes before serving. Note

You’ll have about 1½ cups of the cake mixture left over to make more cakes for your party. Note

Moist and buttery.

As the sauce is heated, the alcohol can ignite. It generally burns off in a matter of seconds, but shaking the pan will extinguish the flame. Keep a lid nearby, exercise caution and don’t use your exhaust fan when making this sauce. Note

These nuts are so moreish it will be hard to hand them over; to prevent such a dilemma, double the quantity and the problem is solved! Note

For an earthier flavour, barbecue the whole eggplant. First prick the skin all over with a fork, then cook the eggplant for about 30 minutes – depending on its size and the heat of the barbecue – or until the eggplant collapses. Cool the eggplant, peel away the skin, then proceed with the recipe. Mini […]

The frying pan goes under the grill in this recipe, so you need a frying pan with an ovenproof handle, or cover the handle with a few layers of foil to protect it from the heat of the grill. If you don’t have a lid for the frying pan, cover it with foil. Cook the […]

Kids will adore this Leo the Lion birthday cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook. He is the King of the Jungle, after all.

This gorgeous layered cake is the perfect balance of sweet and nutty. It's the perfect celebratory cake to serve at Christmas time.

Wear disposable gloves when peeling the beetroot. Note

A mint pattie is a round chocolate-coated confectionery with a soft peppermint centre. It is available from most supermarkets. You may also use Griffin’s mint treat bites if mint pattie’s are not available. Note

To make chocolate curls, run a cheese slicer down the back of a slightly warmed block of chocolate. For smaller curls, run a vegetable peeler down the side of a block of chocolate. Note

You need a 7cm (2¾-inch) and a 5cm (2-inch) starshaped cutter. It’s best to use food colouring pastes rather than liquids. Roll, cut and bake one portion of dough at a time. While those biscuits are cooking , roll and cut the next batch, ready for the oven. Note

This recipe also makes 6 texas muffins (¾-cup/180ml); bake about 35 minutes. Note

Mad about marmalade? Then, this muffin is for you. Marmalades come in a range of flavours sweet through to bitter and everything in between. Try a bitter marmalade first, it teams so well with the almonds and the sweetness of the syrup. Note

You can crumb chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Place in single layer on tray, cover and refrigerate. Tonkatsu sauce is available from Asian food stores. Note

Cake can be baked and cut into shape one day ahead; keep, covered, in refrigerator if weather is hot. Finish cake on day of serving, as per recipe. The remaining purple jelly can be used to make extra jelly cups. Young explorers will love this cake. The swamp is filled with murky (but delicious) jelly, […]

36 lollypop or paddle pop sticks are needed for this recipe. Push the sticks of the popcakes into the top of a cardboard egg carton to dry. Light or dark fruit cake is suitable, use whichever is preferred. Note

Sago and tapioca, while similar, are not the same and can’t be substituted for each other. Sago may be found labelled as `seed tapioca’ on some packets. It is available from most health-food stores and supermarkets. Note

Recipe is best prepared as required. Note

Any small jubes or jelly sweets can be used. Use lightly oiled scissors to cut the jubes. Note

Crispy and delicious spiced spatchcock with a cooling herb yogurt from Australian Women's Weekly.

Semolina is available from health-food stores and supermarkets. It can be replaced with 1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour. Lime, orange or mandarin juice and grated rind can be substituted for the lemon. Note

Blue cheeses are mould-treated cheeses mottled with blue veining. Varieties range from firm and crumbly stilton types to mild, creamy brie-like cheeses. Use a firm and crumbly blue cheese for this recipe. Note

These cakes are best made on the day of serving. Note

Instead of piping the cream cheese mixture onto the canapés, you can just use a teaspoon to drop small amounts on top of the mini toasts. Mini toasts are available from delis, groumet food shops and some supermarkets. Note

You will need about two bunches of rhubarb for this recipe. To spread the second layer of cake batter over the crumble, without mixing the two, dollop the batter into each corner first, then gently spread the batter toward the centre. Note

If salmon slices are less than 6cm wide, you can use two pieces side by side. Overlap edges of salmon then press them together gently before cutting out rounds. Note

Filleted portions of smoked trout, in a variety of sizes, are now available at most supermarkets; we used three 150g portions for this recipe. Crispy fried noodles are crisp wheat noodles already deep-fried. They are available from Asian grocery stores and most major supermarkets. If you like, replace the coleslaw mix with 3½ cups of […]

Sugar flowers of many shapes, sizes and colours can be bought from most supermarkets and cake decorating shops. Note

This recipe will make about 36 balls. You can also use this stuffing to fill the cavity of a whole turkey or 2 large chickens. Note

Scrambled eggs need to be cooked and stirred gently until they are creamy and barely cooked. Over-cooking will toughen them. Eat them straight away or they’ll become watery. Note

For this recipe you need 1 large pomegranate (375g). Note

Hearty and warming, this delicious stew is packed full of fresh seafood to nourish your body and soul.

Use a whole-egg mayonnaise for the best flavour. Manchego cheese is Spanish; it is available from specialist cheese stores and Spanish delicatessens. If you can’t find it, use parmesan cheese instead. Use a vegetable peeler to shave the cheese. Note

You’ll be prouder than a peacock when you present this cake at the party. The design is mainly in the placement of the lollies. Note

It’s important to use regular honey in the matzo cake, not the easy-to-pour liquefied version Note

A delicious and tri-coloured ice-cream topped with dark chocolate and almonds.

This recipe is also nut-free, gluten-free and egg-free. Note

Allen’s Racing Cars and Pineapples can be found in Allen’s Teeth `n’ Stuff, Retro Party Mix and Classic Party Mix. Note

If fresh mango is not available, you can use 800g canned mango cheeks instead; drain them well, then slice thinly. Note

Ehh, what's up doc? This cake, for one! Inspired by our favourite wacky wabbit, Bugs, this kids' favourite - straight from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook - is sure to be a hit.

When you think the toffee syrup has almost reached the colour we suggest, quickly remove the pan from the heat, remembering that the syrup will continue to cook and darken during this time. Let the bubbles subside, then drop a teaspoon of the syrup into a cup of cold water. The toffee should set the […]

This recipe also makes 12 standard muffins (⅓-cup/80ml capacity holes). Bake cakes for 20 minutes. Note

If using frozen berries, use them unthawed, this will minimise “bleeding” of the colour into the mixture. Muffins can be frozen either individually wrapped in foil or together in a sealed container for up to 3 months. To thaw frozen muffins, either place muffins on an oven tray covered with foil, or wrap individual muffins […]

Even though small guests may not be eating the cakes they’ll love the look of a duckling-topped cake. Make sure the ducks are completely dry and firm. The drying time will depend on the weather; if it’s wet or humid, it could take overnight. The ducklings will take less time to dry than the mother […]

This playful, and friendly, looking monster will keep the little ones amused with its bright, cheery colours and smiling face. Note

Tender pork loin stuffed with capsicum and ciabatta crumb and served with a rosemary gravy.

Peach & vanilla yoghurt fools

Kids love funny faces so Merv is bound to create peals of merriment Note

Be careful when frying mint as it will spit. Note

Equipment: 35cm (14-inch) square wooden cake board Smoothing tools pasta machine 1.4cm (¾-inch) and 4.5cm (1¾-inch) perspex measures vinyl mat fine artist’s paint brush stitching tool alphabet cutters paper piping bag. Although this cake is a labour of love, it’s worth every bit of effort. The strips of icing can be made by rolling the […]

Store in an airtight container at a cool room temperature until ready to serve. Cake pops will keep for up to a week. Use red Candy Melts in place of tinted chocolate Melts if you like. Note

We used hard (stir-frying) tofu; you can substitute firm tofu, if you prefer. Note

Omelettes can be made up to 3 hours ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator, roll and slice just before assembling salad. Note

Make sure the rose petals are chemical-free. Organic petals can be found at specialist cake decorating shops and some delicatessens. If fresh organic rose petals are unavailable, sprinkle cake with chopped rosewater-flavoured turkish delight. Rosewater will vary in strength between brands. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste. If using rosewater essence, start […]