Crunchy and decadent, this chocolate macadamia slice is perfect with a cup of hot coffee or tea.

When it comes to canapés, smoked salmon and dill is always a crowd pleaser.

These crunchy chocolate and peanut truffles are so easy to make and are the perfect sweet treat with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

The dark blue pigment of blueberries is full of antioxidants, which have been shown to lower cholesterol. They are sometimes referred to as “brain berries” because they may help with brain function. Note

Do not add any salt to the cottage-cheese mixture as this will cause the filling to become too wet. Buy zucchini just large enough to make 5-inch-long strips once trimmed and sliced. Note

Chopped salad ingredients vary from recipe to recipe, the only common rule is that all the ingredients are `chopped’. You can also place all of the roughly chopped ingredients on a large chopping board and use a large knife to chop them all together. Note

This decadent chocolate semifreddo dessert is easy to make for a quick rich treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Hazelnuts can be substituted for walnuts in this recipe, and, if you have hazelnut or walnut oil on hand, use one of these, rather than the olive oil. Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Zucchini have a lot of water in them; squeezing the water out of the grated zucchini, prevents the sandwiches from getting soggy. For information about how to grate a carrot see page 121. Put the grated zucchini in a fine sieve over a small bowl. Use your hands to squeeze the liquid out. Use a […]

This colourful, nutritious salad would be perfect served with grilled meat.

Gorgeous spread on toasted panettone, dotted on pancakes or used to sandwich little biscuits together, orange liqueur butter is simple and sophisticated.

Use un-iced, unfilled plain biscuits for this recipe. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to thinly slice the cucumber lengthways. Note

Figs with sheep milk yogurt and honey

If you love prawns, you'll love this incredibly zesty prawn salad with a mint and lemon dressing.

This delicious chilled soup is so easy to prepare and makes the most refreshing lunch on a hot summer's day.

You can substitute scotch whiskey for the rye whiskey. Note

Served alongside some sliced barbecued duck, this zesty Asian salad is full of spice and packs a punch.

Strawberries can also be served with yoghurt or light sour cream in place of creme fraiche. Note

Easy, refreshing and nutritious.

To make chilli-infused vodka, combine 250ml vodka and 4 fresh red thai chillies in a glass jar, cover; stand for about 5 days or until the vodka is infused with chilli heat. Discard chillies before using. Note

This passionfruit mousse makes a light and tropical change from the usual chocolate version. Tofu is the perfect ingredient here because it provides the amazing texture, and absorbs all of that delicious passionfruit flavour.

You need only small quantities of pineapple and rockmelon, so buy the smallest fruit you can find. Two passionfruit will supply the right amount of pulp. Honey yoghurt can be made a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Affogato is a popular Italian dessert that often combines coffee with ice-cream and often, a splash of booze. We've used Irish cream here, but you could substitute your favourite liqueur.

Delight your child with this gorgeous (and easy) orange birthday cake.

There is something oh so 70s about these familiar baby pink and white, sweet coconutty treats. They were as sure to please back then as they are now.

You need a loaf of the larger-sized bread (slices measure 12cm across). Ham slices can be used instead of the shaved ham, if you like. The little cut-out hearts can be used to make fairy bread or sandwiched with a cut-out heart of sliced cheese, held together with a toothpick and grilled until browned. Sandwiches […]

Equipment: 45cm (18-inch) round wooden cake board (page 208) 30cm (12-inch) round wooden cake board (page 208) 25cm (10-inch) round wooden cake board (page 208) 20cm (8-inch) round wooden cake board (page 208) 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board (page 208) smoothing tools quilting tool tape measure embossed rolling pin plastic ruler pizza cutter small […]

This incredibly tasty dip goes well with crusty bread and crackers. Serve sprinkled with extra finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, if you like.

Tomato dip is best made close to serving. Note

These chocolate and sultana crackles are one way to sneak a little bit of fruit and fibre into unsuspecting kids at a party. Happily, they're so delicious you're bound to get away with it.

We used watermelon, mandarins, kiwifruit, mango and strawberries. Use any combination you like. Note

The beauty of smoothies is that you get all that delicious tasting fruit juice, without missing out on the goodness of the whole fruit. Plus, they're a quick way to get your 5-a-day when you're on the go.

You need an 80cm length of 50mm diameter PVC pipe, cut into 10cm lengths. ask the hardware store to do this for you, or use a hacksaw. This recipe will also fit into a 24cm springform tin. In this case, use a plain chocolate biscuit base. Note

Like a cocktail in a glass, this piña colada mousse is the perfect dessert to top off a special dinner party. You can leave the rum out if you like.

Fresh, tasty and very moreish, chicken rice paper rolls make a great starter or share plate for a party.

Each takeaway barbecued chicken we used in this chapter weighed about 900g; when skinned and boned, this results in 3 cups (480g) of shredded meat, or 2½ cups (425g) of coarsely chopped meat. Note

Broderie anglaise, French for `English embroidery', is characterised by cutwork, lace and small eyelet patterns, just like we've used in this cake.

Use lightly oiled scissors to cut turkish delight. You will need about 35 sugar flowers per cake pop. Use white Candy Melts in place of chocolate Melts for an extra-white finish Note

Carpaccio, usually served in Italy as a “primi piatti” (literally, the first plate), a first-course salad, can be made with finely sliced fish as well as the traditional beef fillet. Be certain that the meat you buy is as fresh as possible and from a reliable source. Note

Use fresh pineapple, if preferred. Note

Try this cheat's version of a Kiwi favourite.

You can serve these mango cheeks with lime fresh, or sprinkle them with brown sugar and grill briefly first.

These easy individual tiramisus require no cooking and are perfect for a dinner party.

Cool, sweet and fruity, this refreshing mango and hibiscus sorbet is perfect to enjoy on a warm Summer afternoon by the pool. It is only enhanced by a splash of prosecco.

We've foregone the classic version of this drink for a little sweetness. James Bond might frown, but we love it.

They are an unlikely pair, but the combination of banana and passionfruit is fresh, healthy and delicious; always a winner. Make sure your bananas are ever so slightly firm, with no blemishes.

Recipe is best made just before serving. Note

Only fresh blueberries can be used in this recipe, as frozen berries will tint the sangria. Note

A classic cocktail, this timeless combination of tequila and lime will take you to Mexico with every sip.

Serve with seafood or chicken. Note

You can also make this salad with leftover barbecued chicken. Note

Sometimes nicknamed “yuppie Vegemite”, this classic Provençal preparation is used as a dip for raw vegetables, spread on bread and pizza, and served with fish and meats. Note

Use a mandolin or V-slicer if you have one, to finely shred the cabbage and slice the radishes. Note

This tart, citrus-based sauce is one of the mainstays of Japanese cuisine. It is usually made with a citrus fruit called yuzu, which is not easy to obtain outside Asia. It is a perfect accompaniment to char-grilled sliced beef, steamed fish, tofu and asian greens.

You need about 6 passionfruit for this recipe. Note

You need ¼ small pineapple for this recipe. Note

Citron vodka is a lemon and lime flavoured vodka that contains small amounts of lemon peel. Limoncello is a popular after-dinner drink in Italy, and is usually served ice cold. It is sweet and lemony, but not sour. Note

This refreshing, punchy noodle salad makes the perfect healthy lunch or dinner.

To remove pomegranate seeds: cut the pomegranate in half crossways, and using your fingers, scrape the seeds from the flesh while holding the pomegranate upside-down in a bowl of cold water; the seeds will sink and the white pith will float to the surface. Discard the pith, and drain the seeds before using. Note

LSA is a mixture of ground linseeds, sunflower seed kernels and almonds; available in health-food shops or the health-food section in supermarkets.

You need approximately eight limes for this recipe. Note

This is a great alcohol-free drink to offer guests, but you could replace the mineral water and lemonade with champagne if you want to make a punch with punch.

These mango cremes are quick and easy to make and you can pop them in the fridge early in the day, ready for dessert later in the evening. You could serve them with berries for an extra splash of colour, if you like.

Chlorophyll is the chemo-protein that gives plants their green color. Humans get it from leafy green vegetables, such as broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, and spinach. We have used celery stalks and flat leaf parsley. Note

Palm sugar brings a depth of flavour as well as sweetness to these delectable little cheesecakes.

Sour cream dressing adds a lemony lift to this smoked trout and avocado salad. If you can't get your hands on any smoked trout, you could substitute smoked salmon. Either way, the crisp leaves, soft avocado and fish bites make a delicious dish.

Fruity and minty, tea and rum punch is a classic lunchtime or afternoon cocktail.

Served with a plum dipping sauce, these pork and cabbage rice paper rolls are great for a share platter and require no cooking.

Experiment with a variety of seasonal flowers and greens. Mix mild greens with a garnish of stronger-tasting flowers and vice versa. Suggested flowers include violas, calendula, culinary herb flowers, pineapple sage, dianthus, day lilies and roses. If the flowers are large, use only their petals. Note