No cooking required

This quick and simple dessert is perfect for any time of the year. The combination of berries, custard and crunchy biscotti works beautifully together.

Duck is not the first meat that comes to mind when you think of a Thai salad, but its gamey flavour and rich texture are actually perfect, contrasting beautifully with the rest of the crisp, spicy salad.

It's important to be precise when making proper sushi. Don't make the pieces too big; each should only make a single mouthful. If correctly formed, hand-moulded sushi should be able to be eaten upside down using fingers, or on its side if eaten with chopsticks; it's the fish and not the rice which is to be dipped in soy sauce.

This prawn and sweet chilli salad ticks all the boxes. It's full of fresh and healthy ingredients, it looks beautiful on the plate and it is full of those zingy Asian flavours that compliment seafood so well.

One of the true classics from cocktail history, a Tom Collins is a gin based cocktail spiked with lemon, sweetened with sugar and finished off with a maraschino cherry.

Try these tuna tartare on wonton chips at your next gathering for a slightly different and more upmarket hors-d'oeuvre. The tender marinated fish contrasts beautifully with the crispy deep fried wonton.

Making your own pasta dough is incredibly satisfying and easier than you might think. You do need a pasta machine, but the investment is worthwhile; just one bite of freshly made pasta and you'll see why.

With a rosy pink filling sandwiched between layers of light sponge, this strawberry mousse cake is visually stunning. It's also deceptively easy to make and assemble. Yes, the store bought sponge has a place in the AWW kitchen!

There is no cooking required for this fabulous layered dessert, and it just takes a few minutes to put together, so you can indulge in a berry, coconut and yoghurt parfait at a moment's notice.

Seafood salad does not have to be accompanied by mounds of mayonnaise. Try our prawn, scallop and asparagus salad with ginger dressing for a light, fresh and zingy alternative. For best results, serve with a crisp chardonnay.

You need to buy a 1.5kg piece of watermelon to get the amount of chopped watermelon needed for this recipe. Note

EQUIPMENT 40cm (16-inch) square cake board Use assorted cream-filled rollettes for a colourful alternative. Note

For this easy platter, use your favourite cheddar; we like a sharp-tasting aged cheese.

Tender slices of beef carpaccio match perfectly with a fragrant green papaya salad.

Celebrate your child's birthday with this charming (and easy to make) butterfly display case.

It's a win-win for this slice with chocolate, marshmallow and crispy biscuit pieces the kids will love and minimal time in the kitchen that you will love.

Thrill the kids with these do-it-yourself chocolate fondue ice-creams.

Bright, light and fresh, these lime and coriander oysters make a great starter or shared platter for a party.

Radicchio has a bold, somewhat bitter taste that comes into its own when contrasted with more subtle flavours. This is a simple salad, but an elegant one.

Banana, chocolate and crushed peanuts taste fantastic together in this easy frozen dessert.

These freeform hand-made sushi rolls are easy to make and look spectacular. They are perfect as a starter or for a share platter at a party.

Full of hazelnuts, walnuts and cherries, this easy fridge slice makes a decadent treat with tea or coffee.

Celebrate with this tall cocktail in style. Perfect for a hot day in the sun.

For a different option, grate the apple coarsely. Note

Cool off in summer with this delicious tropical dessert.

Taramasalata is a classic Middle-Eastern dip that is full of flavour and delicious with pita bread. Here, we've teamed it with artichokes for an even greater dept of flavour.

You can add some thinly sliced blood orange as well as the lime to this classic cosmopolitan if you like.

These colourful, and adorable, fruit skewers are fantastic for a kids' party and are bound to be a huge hit at any time.

You can swap the pineapple for watermelon, if you like. Note

Equipment: 12cm (4¾-inch) length 18-gauge floral wire long-nosed pliers white florist’s tape pasta machine vinyl mat small, medium, large and extra large peony cutters wire cutters 7 lengths x 26-gauge floral wire flower glue 2 x 12-hole round-based, shallow (1 tablespoon/20ml) patty pans peony petal veiner flower mat ball tool fine artist’s paint brush 35cm […]

One of those dishes that's perfect for brunch, lunch or as a starter, smoked trout with lemon cream on potato scallop stacks is an all round winner.

These tasty Asian beef rolls are our take of the Vietnamese bahn mi. Enjoy thinly sliced beef with fresh vegetables, chilli and herbs for a tasty lunchtime treat.

Recipe can be prepared a day ahead. Add the dressing up to three hours before serving. Note

This salad will keep for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Pack yogurt and lemon wedges separately. You need about half a barbecued chicken. We used 2 x 280g jars of mixed char-grilled vegetables in oil (not the pickled variety); you can also buy marinated grilled vegetables from the delicatessen. Note

The combination of peanut butter and jelly or jam is unbeatable, but not always the healthiest option. We've swapped a few ingredients for healthier alternatives in this nutritious and filling smoothie. It tastes great and is good for you!

Add a dash of sweet chilli sauce to the chicken mix when making these delicious sandwiches if you want to dial up the drama.

This simple nut-free muesli is great for kids, and ideal for making lunchbox snacks such as muesli bars and muffins with.

A simple, zesty vinaigrette flavoured with preserved lemon and fresh chives that will bring life to any salad.

Celebrate summer with this refreshing, delicious cocktail.

EQUIPMENT 35cm (14-inch) round cake board 8cm (3¾-inch) round cutter 3 long bamboo skewers We only used the white marshmallows from the packets of marshmallows; serve the pink marshmallows at the party. You can make the castle pink and white if you like; in this case you will only need 4 packets of marshmallows. Use […]

This summery salad is quick, easy and delicious with prawns added for a treat.

Sometimes you need a recipe for something quick, healthy and the perfect size for one, and this chicken and peach salad offers all that plus fresh and delicious flavours.

The chilli-infused vodka is also very good with lemonade and crushed coriander roots. Chilli-infused vodka can be made up to 1 month ahead. Watermelon juice separates on standing so this recipe is best made close to serving. For a quick cocktail, replace the sugar syrup and soda water with 2 cups (500ml) lemonade. Note

Grab a handful of this trail mix when you're hungry and after a quick healthy snack that will see you through to the next meal.

You will need about 2 limes for this recipe. Note

Herb dip can be made up to a day ahead. Store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

With the addition of caramelised onion relish, these ham and cheese finger sandwiches make the tastiest afternoon snack. You can experiment with all sorts of fillings like smoked salmon with cream cheese, egg and mayo, or chicken and watercress.

You can use any type of fruit-flavoured yoghurt you like or plain yoghurt. Note

The spinach (or try cos lettuce) will stop the bread from turning soggy. The night before Make the filling and keep, covered, in the refrigerator. Make the sandwiches in the morning. Note

Buy drinking straws in three colours if you can, and match them to their corresponding cake pops. Note

This English dessert is often called Eton Mess, taking its name from Eton College, one of Britain's most famous public schools, where it was traditionally served. The `mess' part is because it was all mixed together in one big bowl.

For children under one year old, peel and remove seeds from tomato before chopping. Note

equipment 30cm x 45cm prepared cake board, strong wooden toothpick decorations 27 Maltesers, approximately 2 green snakes, halved lengthways 5 mint leaves 3 yellow ready-made icing flowers 3 foil-wrapped chocolate ladybirds If Easter eggs aren’t available, you can use Kinder Surprise eggs. We’ve made quite a long wall out of bought lamingtons; you could have […]

A rich and tasty starter, plump prawns with fresh guacamole and mango is fully of flavour.

A lassi is a popular yoghurt based drink in the Indian subcontinent. You can vary the fruit according to the season and your preference and sweeten with honey if you prefer.

oil will solidify on refrigeration, bring to room temperature before serving. Note

As a variation to this fresh and icy treat, you could make pineapple and mint sorbet; substitute 1 small peeled and coarsely chopped pineapple for the rockmelon and 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped mint leaves for the basil.

Prepare the wraps the night before the picnic; wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Cut the rolls at the picnic. Note

The fresh flavours of Vietnam make this plump prawn and crisp cucumber salad an utterly delightful dish.

With the added crunch of walnuts, these tasty wraps make a satisfying and simple lunch.

Both crunchy and chewy, this easy no-bake slice is full of delicious fruit, nuts and chocolate.

This simple salad makes a great lunch dish for a light meal, or as part of a spread with which to welcome guests.

Healthy and delicious banana ice-blocks

Champagne adds sparkle to a traditional brandy, orange liqueur and lemon juice side-bar. We used cointreau for this recipe but you could use any orange-flavoured liqueur you like.

You could use turkey pastrami as an alternative and add 2 teaspoons of cranberry sauce to the coleslaw. If taking to work for lunch, package coleslaw in a separate container and assemble the sandwich just before eating. If you have one, use a mandoline to cut the vegetables into matchsticks, or you can coarsely grate them.

We used butter beans but you can use any canned white beans you like. This recipe can be made a day ahead. Store pitta crisps in an airtight container. Note

Super quick and simple, this tasty white bean and garlic dip can be whipped up in no time. Serve with fresh vegetables cut into sticks.

This cocktail will take you to the beach with it's tropical colours and breezy flavours.

Crispy fried noodles are available in the Asian aisle of supermarkets. Using a large sharp knife, shred the cabbage as thinly as you can. Stack the slices neatly, cut them lengthways into matchstick-sized strips. This is called `julienne’. Note

You could fill the cones with scoops of ice-cream instead of the cupcakes just before serving. Tint the frosting a colour to match your party theme. Note

Make the most of summer cherries with this cooling dessert.

You can use canned pink or red salmon instead of the tuna. Note

Packed full of the goodness of legumes, this chickpea and lentil salad makes a delicious vegetarian lunch option for those wanting an quick and healthy meal.

Serve with lamb and beef. It also goes really well with beetroot. Note

This zingy, refreshing sorbet is fantastic served after a spicy meal.

The acids in the citrus marinade slightly cook the very thinly sliced raw seafood. Use the freshest, sashimi quality fish you can find. We've used salmon here, snapper also makes a lovely ceviche.