Rum adds a grown-up edge to that classic childhood favourite, pineapple upside-down cake. Delicious served warm with cream or ice-cream.

This tart-sweet chutney partners hot or cold poultry and pork perfectly.

VANILLA SUGAR Split vanilla bean in half lengthways; scrape seeds into blender or processor. Add sugar; process until fine. Reserve 2 tablespoons for this recipe; store unused sugar in an airtight container for another use. This teacake is best eaten the day it is made. Note

Covered in chocolate ganache, and spiked with sweet sherry, this cherry cake is perfect for a grown-up birthday celebration.

An exquisite salad of barbecued chorizo, chickpea and pumpkin with a sweet and sour sherry vinegar dressing.

Reserve the rind from the ham after it has been removed. When storing the ham (or the leftovers), re-cover the leg’s cut surface with the reserved rind ­ this will keep it moist. Use a small sharp knife to cut through the rind about 10cm from the shank end of the leg. Gently lift rind […]

You need to cook about ½ cup (100g) white medium-grain rice for this recipe. Note

equipment 3 x 10cm (4-inch) round cardboard cake boards, small offset metal spatula, tape measure, plastic ruler, 4.5cm (1.-inch) fluted round cutter, 3.5cm (1.-inch) fluted round cutter Instead of one large cake, place smaller cakes randomly on the table, display them on stemmed glass cake plates for a charming effect. Cakes can be completed at […]

For the perfect sweet treat, enjoy a slice of this fluffy banana and hazelnut cake drizzled in hot butterscotch syrup.

If you can’t find Candy Melts, use white chocolate Melts. Note

White cut chicken with spring onion dressing from Australian Women's Weekly.

For a comforting family meal, try this creamy chicken pie topped with crispy sour cream pastry.

Baby heirloom tomatoes are available from most supermarkets and greengrocers. These pizzas are best made close to serving. Note

For a gift-giving idea, spray a bamboo steamer (available from Asian food stores) with silver spray, line with tissue and fill with little cakes. Wrap it completely in cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Substitute brandy for Irish whiskey, if you like.

The subtle flavour of this rich, savoury rice from the south of Thailand makes a good accompaniment to more highly spiced dishes. Serundeng is usually sprinkled over a hot dish just as it's served, much like a gremolata, to awaken the tastebuds.

This tender beef rib roast makes for the ideal family meal complete with roasted vegetables and gravy.

This chicken pilaf is a hearty and aromatic winter warming meal. The taste and smell of the dish will have everyone rushing to the dinner table and asking for seconds.

Vegetarian casseroles are a great way to get a lot of veggies in a tasty, hassle free way.

Glucose syrup is often quite difficult to measure as it is very thick and sticks to everything. To make it easier, warm the jar of glucose syrup in a bowl of hot water before spooning out the required amount. Lightly oiling the spoon, or heating the spoon under hot water, and drying, will also help […]

Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, these duchesse potatoes are like elegant potato gems.

This homemade jelly pairs the fruity flavours of black grapes and port. It tastes divine spread on toast, or spooned on almond biscotti for a tasty afternoon treat.

Rice flakes make this crumbed fish light, crispy and gluten-free. They should be available from your health food store, or in the health aisle at the supermarket.

Myzithra cheese is the traditional Greek cheese used in this cheesecake; you could use mascarpone as a substitute in this recipe. Note

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

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

An Italian egg-based dish packed full of capsicum, red onion, potato and chilli.

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

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.

The humble fish pie makes for classic comfort food. Try this irresistible version with buttery pastry and crispy potato topping.

“I love the whole process of making this recipe – and it tastes great.”

We used anchovy-stuffed olives, but any variety of large green stuffed olives can be substituted. Note

Put the kettle on and enjoy a piece of this zesty slice with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

This little extra-terrestrial is so likable that even a horde of hungry alien task force officers may have trouble cutting into it.

Redirected to /recipes/apple-pie-12685 Recipe can be made a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Granny Smith apples, with their green skin and crisp, tart flesh, are ideal for this pie. They were named after Maria Anne Smith of Australia, who cultivated them from Tasmanian apple seeds. Note

David's favourite meat is lamb and his favourite cut of lamb is the shank. This slow-cooked stew is best cooked the day before and reheated gently. He's a smart man, that Dave.

Warm up with a bowl of this delicious caramelised onion soup with crispy cheese toasts.

Originally, ballotine was a boned leg of poultry that was stuffed with other ingredients; these days, it can mean any type of meat, fish or poultry that is boned, stuffed, rolled and tied into a bundle.

Yes, there's macarons in this recipe.

These simple, yet stunning wedding cupcakes are a perfect treat for a special day.

You can use any colour you like to tint the dough, choose a matching lolly, or coloured sugar, to coat the pinwheel edges. Note

This bread is best made on day of serving. Note

We used a Granny Smith apple in this recipe. You will also need one medium overripe banana for this recipe. Keeping time: 1 day. Note

This recipe is also nut-free and gluten-free. Handy hints Instead of the lime, make the curd using lemon, or even orange juice. Make double the curd mixture and use it to fill mini pastry tartlet shells, or use as a topping for scones or pikelets. Note

The chocolate fruit cake can be baked in a 14cm x 21cm loaf pan, bake in a slow oven about 1½ hours. walnuts marry well with apple and can be used in savoury as well as sweet dishes Note

Eggplant and pesto baked pasta

Try this cheats version of a Croquembouche

A classic teacake, the kind you hope to find on the cake stall at a school fete or church bazaar. Raspberry swirl cake is simple to make, looks impressive and tastes wonderful.

With its rich, lemony cooking juices and handfuls of herbs and nuts, this Spanish chicken casserole is a savoury masterpiece. Serve with tender green beans on the side.

Ravioli are little pillows of pasta stuffed with a variety of delicious fillings including meat, fish, cheese and vegetables, and they don't have to be an Italian delicacy. This ravioli with greens recipe takes the basic form and fills it with the spices and flavours of Asia.

Gnocchi with caramelised pumpkin & sage sauce

Sprinkled with fresh sage and brimming with contrasting flavours, this casserole makes a wonderful family meal.

Everybody loves a traditional roast. Ditch the usual carb-heavy vegetables for this wonderfully coloured and flavoured mediterranean ensemble and there'll be no complaints at dinnertime.

Italian-style tomato, beef and pea lasagne from Australian Women's Weekly.

Tangy barbecued chicken for sharing with family and friends from Australian Women's Weekly.

It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Raspberry meringues with rosewater cream. Spoon meringue onto baking-paper-lined tray into 12 free-form shapes about 5cm (2 inches) apart. Bake in very slow oven until meringues feel dry to touch. Note

This plump, sticky fruit loaf is a cinch to make and simply delicious.

Keep things simple with this delicious, plump sultana cake.

When it comes to cuisine the French got a lot right, especially the macaron. This humble sweet is deservedly famous for its chewy texture and delicious array of flavour options. Try this raspberry and cinnamon version, you'll love it.

Ras el hanout is a Moroccan spice mixture meaning `top of the shelf’. The mixture varies from one merchant to another, but is always subtly savoury with a touch of heat. Note

Thrill the family this weekend with a giant stack of these delicious autumnal pancakes.

Try something different with this delicious Middle Eastern specialty.

Mango puree helps turn this classic coconut tea cake, and the coconut frosting, into a moist, fruity delight. Lovely served with a cup of tea or coffee.

This dough is quite soft. If it becomes difficult to handle, roll it out, then refrigerate again until firm. Note

A slice of this rich chocolate torte sprinkled with crushed praline makes an excellent dessert or indulgent afternoon tea.

Fill your house with the warm, comforting scent of apple streusel cake.

A classic Italian dish popularised in New York by Italian immigrants.

Sweet, spicy and fragrant roast chicken marinated in a lemon, thyme and chilli sauce.

EQUIPMENT 20cm x 30cm (8-inch x 12-inch) rectangular cake board We used Tic Tacs to make the ladybird `trail’. Use as many ladybirds as you like to decorate the cake board. Use any critter lollies you can find, sour worms work well, or even use plastic spiders, if you like. If using non-edible decorations, make […]

The beauty of this meat loaf is that you can use regular sausage mince, or buy your favourite sausages and simply squeeze the mince from the skins. We love it with creamy mash and greens.

The mousse can be made up to a week ahead; keep, covered, in the freezer. Note