More than 2 hours

A rich, warming and filling slowcooked Italian beef casserole from Australian Women's Weekly.

It is fine to use just the one 600ml carton or two 300ml cartons of cream for this recipe. You can vary this dessert endlessly by changing the flavours of the sorbet and the fruit. You can make this dessert ahead of time; once frozen, cover with plastic wrap. Decorate with fresh fruit before serving. […]

Recipe is suitable to freeze without the parsley. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan and sprinkle with parsley to serve. Note

We used two round heatproof bowls about 4cm in diameter and one small oval heatproof bowl about 9cm long to make the ghost’s eyes and mouth. Start making the meringue about 30 minutes before serving the cake. Cooked cake can be frozen for up to one month. Cake and ice-cream can be prepared, ready for […]

Tying various herbs and spices in a piece of muslin, securing with kitchen string, makes them easier to remove when the chutney is ready to be spooned into jars. Note

A creamy beef and coconut cream soup that packs a big spicy punch.

Preserved lemon is available at delicatessens and some supermarkets. Note

Keep an eye on the syrup towards the end of the cooking time; as it reduces, you need to reduce the temperature to maintain a gentle simmer. Use any leftover pomegranate seeds in salads or sprinkle over desserts. Note

Start the recipe at least a day ahead, as the fruit mixture needs to stand overnight. Note

This recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

A Western-influenced Japanese rice dish with prawn and fish in a creamy sauce.

We painted a branch of real holly roughly with melted dark chocolate to make the inedible decoration on the cake. Remove cake from fridge, then top with the chocolate decoration. Note

If fresh plums are not available, use drained canned plums. Yellow rock sugar is available in Asian supermarkets; it has a richer, subtler flavour than granulated white sugar. It is used mainly for braises and sauces as it gives them a beautiful lustre and glaze. Note

A rich and warming casserole that is perfect for cold winter nights.

Yellow rock sugar is available from Asian supermarkets. It’s mainly used in braises and sauces as it gives them a lustre and glaze. To freeze; pour stock into freezer-proof containers, leaving a 2.5cm space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a […]

Japanese breadcrumbs are also known as panko breadcrumbs. They are found with packaged breadcrumbs in most supermarkets. Note

Using a slowcooker takes this delicious Italian meatball and pasta dish to the next level.

Italian-style slow-cooked osso bucco that will melt in your mouth.

‘Agrodolce’ is the Italian word used to describe the flavours in this dish and means ‘sour sweet’. Note

Sweet potato fries loaded with delicious pulled beef short ribs, candied jalapenos, chimichurri and mozzarella.

An exquisite Asian-style duck dish with citrus peaches and duck fat potatoes.

This beautiful chef's hat cake is perfect for those who love to cook, or are aspiring chefs.

A cracking kids' party wouldn't be complete without a cake to match. Combining everyone's favourite Coco Pops and Mars Bars, this cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's Best-Ever Kids Cakes cookbook will be snapped up in no time!

This is an easy cake to make and decorat­ use any cake you like­ we prefer a white chocolate mud or coconut cake. Whichever type you choose, the cake will be heavy to move and lift, so get someone to help. Equipment 45cm (18-inch) round wooden cake board 25cm (10-inch) round wooden cake board 20cm […]

You need about 2 large carrots for this recipe. This cake can be made 2 weeks ahead and refrigerated. Note

Place sultanas in large colander; wash under running water until water runs clear and sultanas are plump; drain well (step 3). Remove rind from oranges with a zester (glacé orange rind). Note

Equipment 40cm (16-inch) square wooden cake board 25cm (10-inch) square wooden cake board 20cm (8-inch) square wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) square wooden cake board 10cm (4-inch) square wooden cake board smoothing tools 16 wooden skewers 3 paper piping bags lace patterns If you prefer, draw patterns of your own to suit the purpose of […]

Suitable to freeze at the end of step 2. If the potatoes are very small, halve them rather than cutting them into quarters. Note

Nana's roast chicken simply doesn't stand up to this spice-packed Middle-Eastern roast with a creamy feta sauce.

Why buy store-bought jam when you can make your own delicious mandarin jelly, perfect spread atop toast with a dollop of butter. This way, you know exactly what's going into it, and your family will love the homely touch.

Italian arborio rice from supermarkets will hold its shape better than locally grown arborio. Canned caramel filling is found in the baking aisle in supermarkets. Any sweet sherry is fine, however one of the nicest is Pedro Ximénez, a sweet dark sherry with a rich raisin-y taste. Note

We used a bottled mixture of cornichons and baby pickled onions. Rillettes are a classic dish served for an aperitif with slices of baguette, cornichons and a glass of red wine. Duck or goose rillettes are also very popular in France. Note

Some butchers sell a pork and veal mince mixture, which is what we call for here. If it is not available as a mixture, buy half the amount in pork mince (500g) and half the amount (500g) as veal mince. Note

Equipment: 30cm square wooden cake board, 15cm square wooden cake board, 10cm square woode cake board, smoothing tools, 2.5cm, 3cm and 3.5cm perspex measures, fine artist’s paint brush, stitching tool, 8 wooden skewers, 3 paper piping bags, vinyl mat tape measure, cotton wool. Use perspex measure to measure sides of cakes for lids. Press the […]

Suitable to freeze at the end of step 4. This dish is traditionally served at Christmas time. Note

This colourful cake is perfect for little kids who love building sand castles and exploring the beach.

Verjuice is available in delicatessens and supermarkets; it’s usually found in the vinegar aisle. It’s made from unripe grapes and has a slightly acidic taste. Ask the butcher to cut the rabbit into pieces. Note

Gingerbread can be made up to a week ahead, store in an airtight container. The house can be assembled 5 days ahead, keep covered in a cool dry place. In hot humid weather, the toffee should be made on the day of serving. Note

A simple slow-cooked version of the classic beef and vegetable casserole.

This basic fruit mix is enough to make a pudding (boiled or steamed) large enough to serve 10 people, a regular-sized cake and a dozen mince pies. Note

From the humble baked bean to the chickpea, legumes contain healthy components linked with protection against diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart problems.

A delicious French-style roast leg of lamb in a tomato stew with rosemary and white beans.

You will need about six passionfruit for this recipe. Remaining passionfruit curd is delicious spread on scones or used as a filling for pavlovas. These tarts are best made on the day of serving. Note

As the name suggests, pound cakes originally consisted of a pound each of sugar, butter, flour and eggs, which made them very large cakes.

You can use ½ cup dry sherry with ½ cup water instead of the chinese cooking wine. This dish is suitable to freeze at the end of step 1. Note

Depending on the ripeness of the peaches, peel them using a vegetable peeler or, blanch them by cutting a small cross in the base of each peach; cover with boiling water in a heatproof bowl. Stand 5 minutes, then transfer peaches to a bowl of iced water. Using fingers or a small knife, carefully remove […]

You can use gravy beef for this recipe, if you prefer. Note

EQUIPMENT Oven trays 6cm heart cutter paper piping bag 30cm square or round cake board The gingerbread house can be assembled 3 days ahead. Bake gingerbread a day before it’s required and store in an airtight container. Secure the roof panels to the birdhouse with royal icing; hold in place until set. Secure the walls […]

Caldeirada is a Portuguese fish stew that varies from region to region, but usually contains a variety of fish along with potato, onion and tomato or capsicum.

And this little piggy went all the way to the top of your favourite cakes list! From The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book', it's the perfect party pick.

A rich, slowcooked French casserole with lamb, white beans, streaky bacon and crushed tomatoes.

Known variously throughout the Middle East and North Africa as basboosa, namoura or harisi, this sweet slice is saturated with a citrusy sugar syrup which gives it a lovely individual flavour. Note

equipment 25cm (10-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools Set of 3 snowflake plunger cutters (small, medium, large) Fine artist’s paint brush Paper piping bag The sanding sugar gives the snowflakes a lovely texture, however, if you can’t find it, don’t worry, the snowflakes look divine without it. Snowflakes can be made months ahead. Store […]

You need only slender small servings of this ultra-rich cake, which is why we’ve chosen to bake it in a lamington pan. The layer of marzipan in the middle keeps the cake moist as well as adding to the flavour. Buy the best marzipan (or almond paste) you can find. Note

If you want, yo u can prepare the cake with almond paste (marzipan) before covering it with ready-made icing. Note

14cm x 21cm (5½-inch x 8½-inch)loaf pan 20cm x 30cm (8-inch x 12-inch) rectangular prepared cake board (page 172) Shaping bath Shaping inside of bath Making rolled edge of bath The bath tub, feet and tap (plus handles) can be completed up to two days ahead of the party. The water (fluffy frosting) is best […]

Depending on the variety of quince used, some will turn more of a rusty red colour while others a deep crimson. Also, cooking time can vary between types, with some needing a little longer cooking to achieve a red hue. Note

A subtle and delicately flavoured rabbit stew with potato and sage that will melt in your mouth.

Suitable to freeze at the end of step 2. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Note

Don’t be too concerned if your cake has a small dip in the middle; it will be covered with icing. Note

Tender slow-cooked lamb shoulder with a sweet and delicious quince and honey rub.

The fruit mix is enough to make a pudding, a cake and a dozen mince pies. Note

Use small piping bags without a tube or strong plastic bags snip a tiny corner from the bag for easy piping. Prepared cake boards are available from cake decorating and craft stores; you will need one 30cm (12-inch) round board for this cake. Note

You will need a 60cm square of unbleached calico. If the fabric is new, soak in cold water overnight, then boil for 20 minutes; rinse well before using. Use day-old breadcrumbs for this recipe. Chop all the fruit to the same size as the sultanas. Wrap the pudding in plastic wrap, seal tightly in a […]