The freshness of this asparagus, pea and lemon pilaf is perfect for a spring or summer evening.

Add toasted fennel seeds for extra fennel flavour. Note

Rich, earthy and deeply satisfying, the flavour of this mushroom and spinach risotto is lifted by the addition of finely grated lemon zest.

Kids will love this mildly spiced rice dish loaded with vegies and chicken.

Packages of mixed frozen peas and corn are found in most supermarkets. You will need to cook approximately ²/³ cup of rice for this recipe. Note

Chopped macadamias add crunch to this colourful, healthy stir-fry.

It is no wonder this delicious pudding has many adaptations in different cultures and cuisines. However you experience it, this dish is creamy, sweet, spicy and simply moreish!

Filled with spicy stir-fried rice and fresh crab meat, this delicious omelette makes for an easy yet sophisticated dinner or lunch.

These tasty rice cakes are easy to whip up and perfect to take on a picnic.

The creamed rice can be served warm or cold. You can substitute ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for the vanilla bean, if you prefer. Note

A cousin of the Sicilian arancini, these Roman fried rice balls are filled with melted mozzarella.

This creamy, flavoursome dish makes a lovely light lunch or side dish.

Radicchio originated in Italy and is a member of the chicory family. The leaves are dark burgundy in colour and have a strong bitter flavour which makes radicchio a worthy partner to the blue cheese in this dish.

Embrace the colder weather with this beautiful pork, apple and prune casserole topped with fresh sage.

Various combinations of rice and lentils are eaten throughout the Middle East and India, with perhaps the two most well-known versions being Lebanese mujadara and Indian kitcheree. Our Egyptian take on this homely dish, however, adds delicious "oomph" to the rice-lentil theme with its fragrantly spicy caramelised onion and piquant chilli sauce.

This easy, spicy salad is full of zesty flavour and texture.

Chicken option; cook single chicken breast fillets in lightly oiled non-stick through non-vegetarians’ portions. Note

For a tasty, healthy meat alternative to fill your burgers, try this sensational veggie patty recipe brought to you by Woman's Weekly.

Herb-flecked and crunchy, this easy salad makes a tasty, filling lunch or side dish.

fish option Grill white fish cutlets. Cool; flake into pieces. Top rice salad with fish. Note

You will need 5 limes for this recipe, and to cook 1 cup uncooked rice for the 3 cups cooked rice required. Note

Rice can be cooked the day before, store. covered, in the fridge Note

Recipe can be made a day ahead, store, covered, in the refrigerator. It is important to use full-cream milk in this recipe,ook rice slowly for creamiest results. Serve with fruit of your choice. Note

This fragrant broth does take some preparation time, but it is well worth the effort. It is an absolutely flawless soup dish.

This Asian savoury rice porridge is a deliciously convenient and warming breakfast that comes together in a flash thanks to a handy pressure cooker.

We used blue-eye trevalla in this recipe, but you can use any white fish fillets. Note

You need to cook about 1⅓ cups white long-grain rice the day before making this recipe. Spread it evenly onto a tray and refrigerate overnight. Note

A healthy and flavourful vegetarian brown rice salad with chickpea, pepita and kumara-potato salad.

lime and mustard dressing We used the sun-dried tomatoes that have not been preserved in oil; they are generally sold in plastic bags or loose by weight. Note

Loaded with roasted kumara and pan-fried mushrooms, this healthy pilaf is great for a mid-week dinner and also makes for a tasty packed lunch.

Pilaf can be prepared several hours ahead. Transfer pilaf to an ovenproof dish, cover with foil and refrigerate. Warm in oven as required. Note

Fennel adds a fresh astringency to a savoury prawn risotto.

For variations on the filling, use a combination of smoked salmon (or crab meat or prawns) with cucumber, avocado and pickled vegetables. Sushi seasoning is a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar and salt; it is available in bottles from Asian food stores and the Asian food section of supermarkets.

Serve up this winter warming mixed mushroom risotto for dinner tonight. It's full of flavour and perfect if you're after a vegetarian meal that will be more than substantial.

This colourful vegetarian paella strays slightly from the traditional form, but is well worth the adaptation.

This spectacular dish is surprisingly simple, it's a great dish to serve up for a night of relaxed entertaining.

To roast cashews, place nuts in a dry small frying pan; stir over low heat until fragrant and just changed in colour. Remove nuts from pan immediately to avoid them burning. Note

Quick, easy and delicious Japanese stir-fried pork and rice noodles will surely satisfy all of the family. Sprinkle some freshly chopped chilli if you like some heat.

This healthy winter dessert would also be perfect for breakfast.

These delicious risotto-filled zucchini flowers are a real treat for guests, though you could simply use lemon and chilli ricotta if you want a simpler recipe.

This beautiful risotto is effortless yet brimming with flavour.

Mixture is not suitable to freeze. Note

Nasi goreng seasoning mix is available from Asian grocery stores and the Asian section of large supermarkets. Note

This delicious sushi salad not only looks beautiful, it also allows you to enjoy the freshness and taste of sushi without the bother involved in assembling this traditional Japanese delicacy.

If snake beans are unavailable, use green beans. Note

Super simple and seriously zesty, this lemon and lime rice salad makes an excellent side dish for lunch or dinner.

Recipe not suitable to freeze. Note

Honeycup mustard is available from some supermarkets, delicatessens and butchers. If you prefer, you can simply combine dijon mustard with honey in the proportion of 1 tablespoon dijon to 2 tablespoons honey. Note

sesame dressing Perilla leaves, also known as shiso leaves, belong to the mint family and are available in green and purple-red varieties from Asian grocers. Use the leaves whole or shredded, as an ingredient or a condiment. You can use mint leaves instead. Note

This spicy risotto is cooked in a rice cooker for minimum effort and maximum flavour.

A Creole version of paella, jambalya is believed to have got its name when a cook named Jean in New Orleans tossed together ("balayez" in the Louisiana dialect) various leftovers that resulted in such a delicious dish that it was celebrated with a recipe called "Jean balayez".

Mango chutney will burn if the grill or barbecue is too hot. Note

These flavours are very unique and not for the faint hearted, however for something new and adventurous this recipe might just fit the bill. It is well worth trying.

makes 48 per mini maki 0.2g fat; 94kJ (22 cal) CHICKEN TERIYAKI VARIATION You can make another easy mini maki by replacing the tuna and cucumber with 2 chicken tenderloins (150g) that have been marinated for 1 hour in 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce, then cooked through and sliced thinly. Follow the method above to step […]

Biryani are some of the most elaborate of Indian rice dishes synonymous with the Moghul emperors. Lamb, rice and spices are layered in this fragrant one-pot dish. Start the recipe a day ahead.

Save any leftover garlic oil to drizzle over scrambled eggs or to use in a salad dressing. Any remaining kaffir lime leaves can be frozen for another use. The soup will thicken on standing because of the rice. To prepare this soup ahead, follow the recipe up to the end of step 3, continue with […]

This delicious grilled scampi dish makes a great starter for a dinner party, or other special occasion or celebration.

You need to cook about ½ cup (100g) white medium-grain rice for this recipe. Note

Don't let the cook time dishearten you, this dish is very simple to prepare, and the flavours are well worth the wait!

Slow-cooker meals are a blessing during the working week, especially in the colder months. Let this lamb, spinach and chickpea pilaf greet you at the end of a busy day.

Dill and salmon are a delicious pair in this easy, creamy risotto.

Duck kway teow, a popular stir-fried rice noodle dish, in a box for kid's snacks.

You can use a barbecued chicken for this recipe; however, you will have to cook the rice in a mixture of water and prepared chicken stock instead of the cooking liquid. Like most Thai sauces and dressings, nam jim is extremely hot. Seed the chillies to lessen the heat, if you prefer. Note

Full of vegetables and flavours, this pilaf is the perfect mid-week treat.

This tasty Asian inspired stir-fry makes a great mid-week family dinner. The beef mince is spiced to perfection, and complimented beautifully by fresh veggies and herbs, which all sit atop a bed of filling brown rice.

This is a hearty wintry recipe, similar to a Lebanese recipe known as mejadra (mujaddara). The lentil and rice mixture could be made ahead and frozen. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or reheat in a microwave oven. You might need to add a little more stock or water to bring the stew to the consistency […]

You can use vegetable stock instead of the chicken consommé. Stir a little chopped preserved lemon rind and fresh tarragon into the rice, if you like. Note

Wild blend rice is a combination of white long grain rice and wild rice. Rice can be prepared several hours ahead; cook fish just before serving. Note

Sprinkled with fresh sage and brimming with contrasting flavours, this casserole makes a wonderful family meal.

Microwave fried rice is a commercially prepared mixture of egg, ham, vegetables and rice. It is available from supermarkets. You can make your own fried rice if you prefer. Serve with chilli sauce and lime wedges. Note

Never wash seafood under a running tap as this will wash away the “sea” flavour and waterlog the seafood. If you need to rinse, hold the seafood in one hand over the sink and use your other hand to gently splash the seafood with as little water as possible. Note

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

Wiping the knife with a damp cloth will make cutting the sushi roll easier. You need a sushi or bamboo mat, available from Asian food stores and most supermarkets for this recipe. Nori is a type of dried seaweed used in Japanese cooking as a flavouring, garnish or for sushi. It is sold in thin […]

For Moroccans, harira soup is a Ramadan ritual.

Check the health aisle at the supermarket and your local health food store for rolled rice to make this delicious gluten-free, wheat-free, yeast-free, dairy-free and egg-free porridge.

Mozzarella or fontina cheese can be substituted for feta cheese, if preferred. Note