Spicy sliced lamb with radish, tomato, tabbouleh in a harissa yogurt wrap.

Eating gluten-free? These are the pancakes for you. Quick, easy and topped with syrupy caramelised bananas, they make a beautiful brunch idea or delicious after-dinner treat.

Just up your regular mashed potato by adding cheese and spinach for an impressive Christmas side dish

Also known as risi, risoni is a very small, rice-shaped pasta similar to orzo that is often used by Italian cooks when making soup. It can also be baked in a casserole or served as a side dish to a rich meaty main course.

Loaded with vegies, this speedy stir-fry makes an ideal weeknight meal.

A beautiful and delicious creamy semi-dried tomato and veal from Australian Women's Weekly.

The birthday child and friends will be thrilled with these individual tortoise cakes covered in chocolate freckles.

For these delicious sandwiches, use barbecued chicken breast with the skin removed, leftover roast chicken, or pan-fried or poached chicken breast. This would also be great in a sandwich made with multigrain bread.

The word 'junket' normally conjures up images of politicians on 'work' trips in exotic places, or unappetising, lumpy bowls of custard. This dish is, thankfully, neither. It is a smooth, sweet, gingery bowl of goodness.

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

Perfect for parties, serve these simple sweet chilli and coriander prawn skewers with lime wedges and plenty of napkins.

A quick and easy mid-week stir-fry of chilli & lamb rice noodles with buk choy.

These creamy individual fish pies will be gobbled up by the whole family.

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 […]

Flavoursome and delectable tapas-style nibbles of bocconcini, olive, cherry tomato with pesto.

Pomegranate and fennel salad makes a fresh, fruity side for this tender pineapple-glazed ham. This simple meal makes a great alternative Christmas lunch or festive meal.

A classic Italian recipe, veal scallopini, the tender thinly sliced veal is served here with a creamy mushroom sauce.

A sweet and sticky chilli orange duck and mango stir-fry.

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.

Whip up these mouth-watering beef sandwiches for a hearty packed lunch or light dinner.

An exquisite Asian crisp duck breast with orange and daikon salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

This is a great, fun way to introduce more veggies at mealtimes, and they are delicious as well.

Fire up the barbecue and enjoy these spicy prawn and scallop skewers with a squeeze of lemon.

Hoisin sauce is a thick, sweet Chinese barbecue sauce made from salted fermented soy beans, onions and garlic. It can be used as a marinade or a baste, or as a flavouring for stir-fried, braised or roasted foods. It’s found in all Asian food shops and most supermarkets. Note

This colourful pork and seafood salad is bursting with exciting flavours and textures.

A crispy and delicious snack of deep-fried onion rings from Australian Women's Weekly.

None of are too grown-up for an ice-cream sundae. Especially ones that look as good as these.

The portobello mushroom is virtually a larger version of the swiss brown or cremini mushroom. Dense and hearty, it is a great variety to choose when making stuffed mushrooms. You can use swiss browns here but purchase the largest ones you can find.

Tender veal loin with baked figs and a rich port sauce from Australian Women's Weekly.

Steamed beans, peas or broccoli would be a great addition to this delicious red curry. Note

A minimalist Italian-style tomato, mozzarella and prosciutto salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

In just under 15 minutes this delicious and healthy stir fry can be on the table. Serve with hot, steamed rice, if you like.

These simple mushroom tarts are bursting with flavour and make a great lunch when served with a ripe tomato salad.

Sweet, dense and nutty, this gorgeous banana, date and peanut loaf is wonderful enjoyed warm or cold with a slather of butter for a decadent morning tea.

Potato skins are an excellent source of fibre and vitamin B6. Note

Fore quicker version, replace fresh Asian vegetables with a 500g packet of frozen vegetables, used as directed. Note

Char siu is a popular way to flavor and prepare barbecued pork in Cantonese cuisine.

Deep-fried spicy quail; an exquisite meat dish from Australian Women's Weekly.

low GI You need 12 bamboo skewers for this recipe; soak them in water for at least an hour before using to avoid them splintering or scorching. Do not puree the carrot mixture too far in advance because it could separate if left to stand too long. serving suggestion Steamed green beans and a fresh […]

Delicious and fresh Italian-style crostino of tomato and basil from Australian Women's Weekly.

Serve with crusty bread. Note

Harissa is a Moroccan sauce or paste made from dried chillies, cumin, garlic, oil and caraway seeds. Harissa paste, available in a tube. It is very hot and should not be used in large amounts. Bottled harissa sauce, while still hot, is milder. It is available from supermarkets and Middle-Eastern grocery stores. Note

Navarin is a classic French ragoût of lamb or mutton.

Crunch through a slice of crusty bread and enjoy the filling flavours of baked beans, fresh tomato and avocado. This vegetarian meal is the perfect way to break up your day.

Try this cheat's version of a homely beef casserole, served on fresh fettuccine pasta.

A crunchy almond topping makes this delicious Christmas fruit cake different from the rest. Perfect served with a pot of hot tea.

Blood oranges are available in winter, at other times use navel oranges. Note

Wonton cups can be prepared a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. You need 3 x 12-hole (1-tablespoon/20ml) mini muffin pans. If you only have one pan, that is fine, just cook the wonton cases in batches. You could also serve the tuna tartare in a bowl with a pile of home-cooked prawn […]

Spoil the carrot cake lover with these scrumptious cupcakes topped with maple cream cheese icing.

Sandwiched with brandy butter cream, these stacked hazelnut and orange spice cookies make a stunning Christmas treat.

Duck and lychee Thai curry with sweet coconut and and water chestnuts from Australian Women's Weekly.

This recipe can be made a day ahead. You could use 1kg frozen mixed vegetables instead of the fresh vegetables in this recipe, if you like. Serving per person for each of the five food groups with 1 slice of toast 3½ serves vegetables; 1 serve grain foods; 2 serves lean meat and bean foods. […]

If you have an electric pressure cooker you won’t need to reduce the heat to stabilise pressure, your cooker will automatically stabilise itself. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions before using. Note

As a general rule, we do not recommend freezing cooked seafood of any kind because it tends to undergo both textural and flavour changes. Note

Get the kids busy in the kitchen with these delicious coconut, lime and pineapple cookies.

French trimmed lamb cutlets are the ones where the meat and fat have been removed from the bone entirely.

Just a few sheets of puff pastry, some mushrooms, bacon and egg are all you need to make up these fabulous parcels. A splash of good old worcestershire sauce and a sprinkle of chives completes the dish. It's so easy, it's almost embarrassing.

Herb-flecked and fragrant, this delicious salad makes an excellent lunch or side dish.

Truffles are a cook’s secret pleasure: they look splendidly impressive but are actually quite effortless to make. Basically a round of chilled flavoured ganache rolled in melted milk, dark or white chocolate with, perhaps, cocoa, coconut, chopped nuts or citrus rind, a truffle is refrigerated until it’s set then presented en masse or singly, with […]

We used golden kiwifruit in this recipe. You need two passionfruit for this recipe. This recipe is suitable for diabetics. Note

There's no cooking required for this stunning, delicious berry-swirled cheesecake tart.

This marinade is absolutely delicious served with beef, lamb or pork. Hot potatoes can also be tossed through as a dressing.

Topped with fresh spinach and dollops of horseradish cream, this easy salmon frittata is perfect for a busy, hungry cook.

Quick and easy snack of turkey, avocado and cranberry wraps from Australian Women's Weekly.

This goes well with fish, prawns, pork and chicken. Note

If you need to assemble some cocktail snacks in double-quick time this recipe is perfect. You could even prepare the wontons earlier in the day and keep them in an airtight container.

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Inspired by delicious banoffee pie, this sweet little slice celebrates the match-made-in-heaven that is toffee and banana.

Eggnog crème anglaise (French for "English cream") is a light pouring custard used as a dessert cream during the Christmas season.

Can be made a day ahead up to step 2, and left covered in the fridge. Note

Basted with a balsamic glaze, these lamb chops are tasty and tender and beautifully paired with this creamy olive mash.

Honey may contain harmful bacteria and is not recommended for children under one year old. Note

This warm pasta salad is packed with flavour and makes brilliant leftovers.

Layout a full afternoon tea spread of little cakes, scones with jam and cream and these divinely spicy crab, avocado and cucumber sandwiches.

Recipe not suitable to freeze. Kecap manis is a sweet, thick soy sauce and is available from Asian grocery stores or in the Asian section of large supermarkets. Note

Drizzled in orange blossom icing, these dense almond and orange cakes are perfect served with a pot of hot tea.

Trio of melon granita; delicious on a hot day when served with a fresh seasonal fruit salad.

It’s important not to lift the lid during the cooking of the pudding, as the condensation runs down the side of the cooker and causes damp patches on the pudding. Note

Edible gift tag cookies are an adorable way to personalise your presents this Christmas - but perhaps wait until Christmas Day to attach them to your gifts.

Stay away from the pie shop with your own home-made chicken and fennel pies.

The crumb mixture can be made several hours ahead; cook zucchini just before serving. If zucchini flowers are not available, substitute small zucchini, quartered lengthways. Note

Kick up your heels and serve this delightfully fresh and zingy passionfruit and rum liqueur at your next soiree. Your guests will love you for it!

You can use pumpkin instead of the kumara. The beef mixture, without the coriander, is suitable to freeze. Add the coriander when reheating Note