Marinated bocconcini makes a great addition to antipasto platters or fresh green salads, use baby bocconcini, if available. Recipe can be refrigerated for 2 weeks. Note

Make the filling in advance, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Note

You can substitute any fruit for the strawberries and mangoes in this recipe. Mixed berries are another great option, remember frozen berries are full of flavour and are just as delicious as fresh ones, so this is a good year round alternative. Note

Gelato flavours used for this recipe: lemon, green apple, strawberry and mango although any flavours can be used. A very firm ice-cream may be used in place of the gelato, scoop it directly onto the ice-cream cones just before serving. Make sure the oven trays and cake board fit in your freezer before starting. Note

The rolls are suitable to freeze at the end of step 2 for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator then cut into slices. Note

You need about three passionfruit for this recipe. You could layer these trifles in two 1-cup (250ml) glasses, for a prettier look. Note

Use Skittles as an alternative to the mini M&M’s. Store the cakes in an airtight container in a cool darkplace. Refrigerating the cakes will cause the colour on the M&M’s to run. Note

Traditionally served as an accompaniment to spicy dishes, this recipe would also make a great light vegetarian starter. Note

EQUIPMENT 35cm (14-inch) round wooden cake board 20cm (8-inch) round wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board 10cm (4-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 19 wooden cake skewers Paper piping bag 3.7cm (1½-inch) perspex measure Pizza cutter artist’s fine paint brush Tape measure It’s important to allow time for the icing on […]

For a milder pistou, substitute flat-leaf parsley for half of the rocket. Note

This recipe can be made a day ahead store covered, in refrigerator freeze not suitable Note

You can improvise with the ingredients in this trifle. Try sponge finger biscuits instead of biscotti, raspberries in place of cherries and a nut-flavoured liqueur as a substitute for the marsala. Biscotti is available at selected delicatessens, specialty food stores and online. Note

Midori, a honeydew melon-flavoured liqueur can be used in this recipe. Note

This flavour-packed recipe is perfect for an on-the-go lunch or light dinner. The combination of ham and avocado in a wholegrain wrap also makes a nutritious after school snack for kids.

Instead of topping the salad with sesame seeds and green onion, try using finely shredded toasted nori. Note

If liked, use smoked salmon in place of prawns. Note

This cocktail should be made with the best bourbon you can buy. Use a 300ml highball glass. Note

Equipment 30cm (12-inch) round cake board small new artists’ paint brush The biohazard tape was ordered online from the US. Printing the words `biohazard’ onto yellow tape with a permanent marker adds a visual effect which is just as good, and less expensive. test kitchen tips Use any lollies you like, but make sure they […]

EQUIPMENT 25cm x 35cm (10-inch x 14-inch) rectangular cake board 5cm (2-inch) heart cutter 3cm (1¼-inch) heart cutter Use any shaped cutter for this cake, try snowflakes or stars. You can use letter cutters and write the name of the child on the cake. Use coloured sprinkles that suit the occasion of your party. If […]

If you have a juice extractor, you can use it to make the pineapple and mango juice. A mouli is a stainless steel utensil used for grating or pureeing. Note

EQUIPMENT 30cm x 40cm (12-inch x16-inch) rectangular cake board Wooden skewer Test kitchen tips: If using butter cream instead of the vanilla frosting, you will need one quantity of butter cream. Look for cakes with slightly domed tops, otherwise you will have to trim the cake tops to create the curved book shape. You will […]

Cointreau or Triple Sec can be substituted for Grand Marnier. Note

If you can’t find dried cherries, use the equivalent amount of extra dried cranberries instead. Note

Use any melon and berry combination; just make sure you use the same amounts. Note

Rice paper wrappers are available from the Asian food section of supermarkets. Note

dairy-free gluten-free wheat-free egg-free nut-free If you have any leftover granita, leave it in the pan and cover it with foil before putting it back in the freezer. You may need to scrape the mixture with a fork again when you are ready to eat it. Note

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

These cakes are best made on the day of serving. 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 […]

Neopolitan ice-cream could be used by dividing the flavours into separate bowls to soften. Only one round sponge is needed for this recipe. Note

Punch is best served very cold. Try freezing some of the berries and lemonade together in shaped ice trays and add these to the punch instead of regular ice. This way, you won’t dilute the flavour. Note

Use a mandoline or V-slicer, available from kitchenware and department stores, to slice the fennel and radishes. Substitute salmon fillets for the ocean trout, if you prefer. For decoration and ease of handling either tie the rolls with kitchen string or secure them with toothpicks. Note

Syrup can be made the night before and stored, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Equipment you will need to make this recipe; 30cm round wooden cake board, 15cm round wooden cake board, smoothing tools, 3 wooden skewers, 2 paper piping bags, 5-petal plunger cutter set (small, medium and large), vinyl mat, ball tool, and 2 fine artist’s paint brushes tweezers. The cherry blossom is the symbol of Japan, as […]

Equipment 30cm (12-inch) round wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 3cm x 3.5cm (1¼-inch x 1½-inch) scalloped cutter 3 wooden skewers 2 paper piping bags Tape measure Fine artist’s paint brush 2.5cm (1-inch) perspex measure Tweezers Pale minty green and soft dusty pink blend together for a sweet old- fashioned […]

This delicious cake is both cheesecake, and margarita cocktail. For when you've just had one of those days.

EQUIPMENT 20cm x 25cm (8-inch x 10-inch) rectangular cake board You can use a tub of strawberry frosting, if you prefer, place the frosting in a piping bag fitted with a small fluted tube to pipe the rosettes. Note

Use a good quality whole-egg mayonnaise. Note

You can use any combination of berries you like or seasonal fruits such as mango or banana. Note

For a citrus twist, add a little finely grated orange rind and replace the apple juice with orange juice. Replace the raspberries with blueberries and sprinkle with lightly roasted hazelnuts. Note

Equipment 10 lollipop or ice-cream sticks tyrofoam block or egg carton paper piping bag Decorations 10 mini ice-cream cones 2 tablespoons each grape, orange and pink WONKA NERDS, combined 10 WONKA Gobstoppers 10 ALLEN’S JAFFAS 2 ALLEN’S Ripe Raspberries, sliced thinly 5 Fairy Floss ALLEN’S FUNFAIR THRILLS Jelly Beans, halved crossways 10cm piece licorice strap […]

equipment 30cm (12-inch) round wooden cake board (page 208) 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board (page 208) smoothing tools number 3 strip cutter 7mm (¼-inch) wide 3 wooden skewers 2 paper piping bags (page 221) white florist’s tape The strip cutter, used for marking the icing on the top tier of this cake, is very […]

Pop open a bottle of wine and sit back in the sunshine to enjoy your beautiful seafood platter. We've included two delicious sauces in this recipe that will complement your platter wonderfully.

Store slice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Note

The caipiroska is a classic cocktail made with vodka, sugar and muddled lime. Great for a hot summers day.