The cake mix is enough to make 12 patty cakes, so decorate the other six patty cakes with your own favourite critters & crawlers. Note

Make the sauce a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Beans are an Italian staple and are often served with spaghetti in the same dish. Note

A light and summery salad with sweet and spicy margarita-infused pork chops.

To freeze; complete recipe to the end of step 2. Place empanadas, in a single layer, on a bakingpaper-lined baking tray. Freeze for 2 to 3 hours or until firm. Transfer to a large snap-lock bag. Expel any excess air. Label, date and freeze for up to one month. Continue from step 3, cooking time […]

Sprinkled with sugar and drizzled with lemon, this basic pancake recipe is a classic for a reason.

You need about 3 large passionfruit for this recipe. Note

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

Salad can be prepared several hours ahead and kept, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

This recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

Tender spiced lamb with a fruity couscous packed full of oranges, dates and walnuts.

This curried beef and lentil dish is simple, spicy and so easy to make.

Canned green peppercorns are the soft, un-ripe peppercorn berry preserved in brine and sold in cans. It has a flavour that’s less pungent than the berry in its other forms. Note

A healthy and delicious spinach and chorizo salad that is packed full of flavour.

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

Rolled rice is a gluten-free flaked cereal similar to, and a good substitute for, rolled oats. It is available in supermarkets and health-food stores. Note

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

Barbecued duck and peking duck pancakes can be bought at Asian food shops. Note

To make cheesy polenta; bring the water to the boil in large saucepan; gradually stir in polenta. Reduce heat; cook, stirring, about 10 minutes or until polenta thickens. Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Stand 3 minutes before serving. Note

Bonito is an oily fish which, when dried and flaked, is widely used in the Japanese kitchen. You could serve the beans with Japanese mustard instead of the bonito and use dry white wine instead of sake. Note

Make more cakes from any leftover cake mixture if you like. Cakes are best made on the day of the party. Note

A warming and delicious spicy prawn and bean hotpot from Australian Women's Weekly.

There are some great gluten-free wraps and pizza bases available at supermarkets; to save time use these for the pizza base. Note

These char-grilled vegetables are healthy, delicious and pack a real spicy punch.

This hearty roasted pumpkin and tomato soup is a fantastic warming winter dish.

This loaf keeps for 3 days. Note

This recipe is best made as close to serving as possible as prawns toughen on reheating. Note

Delicious and comforting steamed sweet chilli prawn dumplings from Australian Women's Weekly.

Also goes well with potato salad; pan-fried beef eye-fillet steaks (omit water so the pesto has a thicker consistency); grilled lamb kebabs. Note

Ready-rolled puff pastry can be bought at any local supermarket. Note

Make your own version of the popular Asian-style satay chicken starter dish to impress your family and friends.

Watercress has deep green, clover-shaped leaves that have a peppery, spicy flavour. It is highly perishable and should be used the day it is bought. Note

You can use thinly sliced gluten-free bacon instead of the pancetta, if you like. Note

Harissa is a fiery Moroccan sauce or paste made from dried chillies, cumin, garlic, oil and caraway seeds.

Lasoda or sebago potatoes can be used for this recipe. Potato flour can be used in place of wheat flour for a gluten-free version; make sure to use a gluten- free chicken stock as well. Note

Grilled ham and cheese sandwiches that originated in French cafés and are typically made with gruyère.

Basil can be substituted for parsley. Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

You can buy butterflied sardines from most good fish markets, or get your fishmonger to butterfly the fish for you. To butterfly your own fish, buy an already gutted fish, slice down the length of the belly until just before the tail, place fish, belly-down, on a chopping board and roll gently with a rolling […]

Creamy pumpkin and bitey feta make this simple pizza an easy meal with loads of flavour.

Delicious little burgers with grilled beef sausages and a crunchy slaw.

Naples is widely credited as the birthplace of pizza, where it was originally sold to the city’s poor by street vendors. The world’s first pizzeria was opened there in 1830 and is still in operation today. The beauty of the napoletana pizza lies in its simplicity. We recommend using only the best and freshest ingredients […]

Bring the Med to your home with these scrumptious lamb meatballs and a garlicky white bean dip.

Use chipolata sausages if you prefer them. Cook the tomatoes until the skins begin to shrivel and split, then add the spinach and stir until wilted. Push the mixture slightly to the side of the frying pan to make four holes for the eggs to slide into. Crack the eggs, one at a time, into […]

Super fast and easy Asian beef stir-fry topped with crunchy sesame seeds.

Pink and yellow oyster mushrooms are available at selected farmers’ markets, grocery stores and online. Choose mushrooms as described by variety. Avoid slimy looking caps and those that look shrivelled. Store mushrooms as described by variety, otherwise, store in a paper or calico bag in the refrigerator. They generally last for up to 3 days […]

Chicken, chorizo, tomato and saffron come together in this delicious Spanish pie.

The lamb will be easier to cut if you freeze it for about 20 minutes before slicing. Note

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

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

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

Preserved lemon is available at delicatessens and some supermarkets. Note

The chilli paste made in this recipe also tastes great rubbed over a whole chicken or fish before being roasted. Note

Don’t over stuff the chickens as this will affect the cooking time. Note

Use metal skewers to pierce through the hard core of the corn slices. Note

Potato skins can be served hot or at room temperature; use scooped out flesh in potato salad or bubble and squeak. Note

Mexican-style chicken fajitas with pan-fried chicken and capsicum.

Sweet pastilla is traditionally served with sweetened warmed milk to reduce the crunchiness of the layered pastille. We like to use the pastilla to dip into the sweet yogurt cream. Note

Fontina is a smooth, firm Italian cow’s-milk cheese with a creamy, nutty taste and brown or red rind. It is an ideal melting or grilling cheese. You can use swiss, cheddar or gouda cheeses instead. Note

Kalonji, also known as nigella, are tiny, angular seeds, black on the outside and creamy within, having a sharp nutty flavour that can be enhanced by a brief toasting in a dry hot pan before use. Kalonji can be found in most Asian and Middle-Eastern food shops. Note