Quick & Easy

Soak the skewers in cold water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. For optimum flavour, marinate the chicken overnight. Note

Use a wooden spoon to make a whirlpool in the water before adding the egg, if you like; however, it’s best to poach just one egg at a time this way, as it gets a bit tricky whirl pooling the water once there’s more than one egg in it. Note

You could substitute the bacon and chorizo with ham and mild salami if you prefer. Note

Malibu is the brand name of a rum-based coconut liqueur. Note

Feed lots of hungry mouths with these tasty sandwiches. You can use any bread you like such as fresh sourdough, sliced ciabatta or crusty white rolls, as we have here. Note

Crispy Italian-style risotto balls that are fantastic for sharing with friends and family.

Serve accompanied with asparagus or broccoli or a green leafy salad, if liked. You can use red salmon or canned tuna if you like. The recipe can be made to the end of step 4 several hours ahead. From cold, bake covered at 200°C for 30 minutes or until heated through then uncover and bake […]

Fresh lychees can be substituted for canned ones if you like. You can use pineapple and pineapple juice instead of lychees for a different flavour. This sauce also goes well with fried tofu, grilled chicken breasts or steamed greens. Note

Bread cups can be made a day ahead, store in an airtight container. You need 3 x 12-hole (2-tablespoon/40ml) deep flat-based patty pans, it’s fine if you only have one pan, just make the cups in batches. You also need an 8cm round cutter. Buy fresh, thin-style pitta bread. If the bread is too thick […]

A simple slow-cooked version of the classic beef and vegetable casserole.

Vary the fruit according to your taste and what’s in season; just make sure you use the same amounts. Note

Rich and delicious Italian-style stew with crushed tomatoes and borlotti beans.

This light and delicious sponge cake is a quick and tasty treat for the whole family to enjoy.

A fun and yummy cake that's up to no good.

An exquisite and morish Mediterranean-style mushroom and polenta dish with roasted tomatoes.

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.

The recipe is best made close to serving. Note

Crispy golden Moroccan pastry filled with spiced eggplant and ricotta and served with a colourful tomato salad.

Frittata can be cooked on top of the stove, in a medium lightly oiled slightly sided frying pan; cook on low heat, uncovered, until almost set, then brown frittata under a preheated grill. Frittata can be served hot or cold Note

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

From the humble baked bean to the chickpea, legumes contain healthy components linked with protection against diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart problems.

A delicious French-style roast leg of lamb in a tomato stew with rosemary and white beans.

Corella pears have only a short season, if they’re not available use thinly sliced apple, red-skinned look best instead. Note

Use frozen spinach, which has been cooked and cooled, for this recipe. Note

Warn your guests that the sugar on the pineapple will be extremely hot. Note

A light and healthy pasta salad packed full of salami, bocconcini, olives and cherry tomatoes.

Patties can be made a day before the party, keep them covered in the fridge. The sauce can be made a week before the party, keep covered in the fridge. Assemble the burgers up to 3 hours before the party. Note

A quick, simple and delicious Mexican-style pizza; great for busy midweek evenings.

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

A bright and colourful summer olive salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

A small, spicy sausage ­ eaten throughout North Africa and Spain ­ merguez is traditionally made with lamb meat and is easily identified by its chilli-red colour. Merguez can be found in many butchers, delicatessens and sausage specialty stores, but any spicy sausage can be used in this recipe. Note

A quick and healthy pilaf for a busy midweek dinner.

To fold the cream and egg whites into the chocolate mousse mixture, use a large flat rubber spatula. Note

Strawberries are jam-packed with the good health-promoting vitamins A and C. Note

Brown rice vinegar, made from brown rice, has been called the eastern version of apple cider vinegar, although its mild flavour has a subtle sweetness and about half the sharpness. It is available from Asian grocery stores and some health-food stores Note

Depending on the ripeness of the peaches, peel them using a vegetable peeler or, blanch them by cutting a small cross in the base of each peach; cover with boiling water in a heatproof bowl. Stand 5 minutes, then transfer peaches to a bowl of iced water. Using fingers or a small knife, carefully remove […]

Ghee is good to cook with as it doesn’t burn as quickly as butter. If you prefer, use 30g unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil for frying. Micro cress is a cress that has been harvested at seedling stage. It is available at speciality greengrocers and markets. Micro cress is highly perishable, so must […]

Make sure the rose petals have not been treated with any chemical sprays. Note

You could top the petit fours with fresh raspberries instead of the icing flowers. Petit fours are best made on the day of serving. Note

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

We rimmed the cocktail glass with pink sugar; simply add a drop of red food colouring to sugar and mix well. Note

Substitute any of your favourite vegetables if you prefer them to the ones suggested in this recipe. A hot curry paste will boost the flavour, however, you can use any curry paste you like. Note

An exquisite pork dish with lovely colours and a delicious creamy kumara mash.

If shiso leaves are unavailable, substitute them with basil leaves. Note

Use a zester to get long thin strips of rind. Note

A delicious salad full of crispy roast kumara and crunchy and balanced with fresh pear and cranberries.

Scrumptious little pizza snacks with cherry bocconcini cheese and cabanossi.

A deliciously dark chocolate biscuit base with soft, mocha mousse come together in this decadent rich slice.

Create these Greek-style meatballs to make the perfect sharing platter.

Use vegetables of your choice such as green beans, snow peas or buk choy. Use sliced chicken breast or thinly sliced beef rump steak as an alternative to the pork fillet. Use regular basil if thai basil is unavailable. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to slice the cucumber length-ways into thin ribbons. Use disposable gloves when handling beetroot top prevent staining your fingers. If taking to work, toast the bread at lunch time just before you’re ready to assemble. Note

The cake mix is enough to make 12 cakes so you can decorate the remaining 6 cakes into other animals of your own choosing. Note

Baby green beans can be used instead of snake beans. Note

Some clams might not open after cooking. These might need prompting with a knife or might not have cooked as quickly as the others ­you don’t have to discard them, just open with a knife and cook a little longer if you wish. Note

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 […]