Mike’s Top Tips: By making your own pasta, you’re learning a great new skill. Plus it’s super-easy. But if you haven’t got the time, buy fresh lasagne sheets from the supermarket and cut them into wide strips Frying the herbs for the pappardelle gives beautiful colour, texture and flavour to the dish. Just be careful […]

Get your just desserts this winter with these perfect puds.

Whether it’s a special birthday, family event or simply a mid-winter catch-up, sometimes we just need an excuse for a dinner party. So break out the silverware... this menu is sure to please.

The thoughtfully prepared sides make this simple chicken dish extra special.

The bird is the word! Cheep and cheerful, nothing will go to waste with chicken.

Here’s another way of making this humble family favourite even easier! I have added the grated carrot and baby spinach to the mix so you will only need a simple salad to serve. Plus my cheat’s version of a white cheese sauce make this dish as easy as possible.

Grate lemon or lime zest over the stew for extra zing!

There couldn’t be an easier way to make a fun, tasty family dinner. And it makes a little chicken go a long way. Try this with pork or beef too.

Everyone loves lasagne! Try my nourishing twist on a family fave.

Cook up a big batch to reheat at work for a warming winter lunch option.

In Step 3, cover top of mixture with cling wrap while cooling to help stop skin forming. No time to make ice-cream? Slightly soften a ready-made tub, add our flavourings and re-freeze. Note

WINE MATCH: Try the new 2010 Jacob’s Creek Moscato ($15) – the low alcohol content and perfumed nose make it a winner with this summery dessert. If you’re looking for something a little more exotic, try the 2009 Dopff au Moulin Gewurztraminer ($18), which is floral and gently spiced. Note

Dates make this cake super moist and full of flavour without being heavy.

These seasonal favourites are perfect for cosy autumnal evenings. As the recipes cook, your home will be filled with beautiful aromas that the whole family will thank you for.

The kids will love creating their very own marshmallows for dessert.

Feel free to add chilli, smoked paprika or herbs to suit the intended dish. Double the recipe and freeze in batches. Basic tomato sauce: • Substitute tinned tomatoes for vine-ripened ones in summer. • Try adding a pinch or two of herbs and spices depending on your desired recipe. • Sugar cuts the acid from […]

The ocean’s bounty is the basis for a dazzling array of mouth-watering meals

For lunchboxes or dessert, this biscuit recipe is wonderfully versatile.

When time is limited, make your baking work for you. These recipes will take you from afternoon tea to dessert!

This gluten-free stuffing has endless variations. Add nuts or dried fruit, and other herbs and spices. To tie up a chicken, place it on its back. Pull skin over neck and secure by folding wing tips back over skin. Run string around wings and underneath to cross over back. Turn chicken over and bring string […]

l

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. If cooking chicken the day before, reserve some of the cooking liquid to pour over the sliced chicken meat before refrigerating. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Kumara suitable to microwave. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. The lamb can be marinated overnight for extra flavour. If you like a bit of sweetness in your curries, you can also add currants to the rice. Note

Uncooked meatloaf suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Suitable to microwave. Note

Try this traditional, triple-tested pilaf by the Australian Women's Weekly for a classic, healthy and exotic vegetarian dish full of wonderful spices and flavour.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Uncooked marinated octopus suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. You could also use baby octopus. Rigani is Greek oregano, available at some delicatessens or spice stores. If it’s unavailable, substitute dried oregano. Note

Sauce suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

You will need a large barbecued chicken for this recipe. Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Add a little extra honey to dressing if it is too tart. Toast almonds in a dry frying pan over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden. Note

If the skin of the chicken doesn’t get crispy enough in the cooking time, simply place the chicken under the grill for about 2 minutes. Note

Uncooked pastry suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Recipe can be prepared several hours ahead. Reheat the fruit in the syrup before serving. Note

Cool, fruity and refreshing, this beautiful pomegranate cosmopolitan is perfect for a night out with your friends or relaxing afternoon drinks on a hot Summer's evening.

Zucchini and cheese pie

Do not wash mushrooms-simply wipe over with a damp paper towel is necessary. Note

The flavours of this dessert are deliciously balanced with the sweetness of the strawberry sorbet offset by the tart fruit and syrup.

Family favourite, kid friendly Note

If you have the time, drain the ricotta through cheesecloth to prevent the bake being too wet. If the bake is set but the top isn’t quite golden, pop it under a hot grill for a minute or so to give it a bit more colour. For the meat-lovers in your household, you can add […]

Ling, blue-eye, or Mahi Mahi would work equally well in this creamy fish pie topped with silky smooth mash by recipes+. If you like, you could serve it in individual ramekins.

Omit shortcrust pastry and spoon beef mixture into a 21cm (base measurement) pie plate. Top with puff pastry. Cooking time will vary. Note

To make certain your biscuits are of uniform size, weigh the dough before rolling – measure 30g for each biscuit. Greek Almond Shortbread biscuits are delicious when served with coffee. Note

Make ahead: Cook soup up to 2 days ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. To reheat: Place soup in a medium saucepan over low heat; stir until heated. Vegetarian: Use vegetable stock instead of chicken, and omit chorizo. Note

Don’t discard the baking paper used for rolling out pastry. Use one to bake pastry blind, the other to line the tray for roasting the vegetables. Quiche is cooked when a knife inserted at centre comes out clean. Note

Use pork and veal mince, beef mince or a combination of your favourites. Note

A delicious spinach pie made with a filo pastry crust.

Use a finely chopped onion if you don’t have a leek. Make croutons by toasting crestless bread and cutting into cubes. Alternatively, fry cubes of bread in a little oil or butter until golden. Note

Rosemary, lemon and bacon stuffing combine to give this roast lamb a powerful flavour and texture boost. Roasted vegetables complete this Sunday night favourite.

Rich in both flavour and texture and delicious hot or cold, enjoy this quiche with a side salad. For a milder version, substitite the greens with English spinach.

A good shiraz, the king of the reds, adds depth and complexity to the gravy in these delicious little beef shiraz pies.

Slow-cooking the filling of this chunky pork and fennel pie brings out the natural sweetness of tender pork, and softens the aniseed flavour of the fennel.

Creamy parfait and the zesty salad come together to showcase an iconic flavour pairing of the culinary world - chocolate and orange.

Some traditional clafoutis recipes call for non-pitted cherries; they are said to release a subtle flavour. Women's Weekly hate to disappoint your dentist, but suggest you use the pitted kind.

The supremely clever culinary folk over at Woman's Day have created the most delicious Eton mess. We're lucky they left enough for us to complete the shoot. It didn't last very long!

Packing a classic savoury Japanese punch, this warming and nourishing miso udon soup by Woman's Day is head and shoulders above any other 'just add hot water' concoctions you can buy.

Some think the crackling is the best part of roast pork. Prepare it by rubbing pork skin with juice of 1/2 lemon and salt, then set it aside for 30 minutes to dry out. Place the skin on an oven tray and bake in a hot oven, 200°C, until the crackling is golden, crisp and […]

These tasty parcels filled with tender chicken and cheese will become a family favourite. And they make a great addition to the lunchbox too!

A classic dessert often served after a big meal in Chinese restaurants. Make it for your loved ones at home and serve with fresh fruit for a quick and tasty treat. The combination of a crispy golden coating and cool, creamy ice-cream is unbeatable.

Serve this with a fresh green salad, avocado and shaved parmesan for a tasty and gluten-free lunch or dinner. Note

This oven-baked risotto is perfect for a weeknight dinner. Hearty and delicious, minus all the stirring, it's so simple!

Ask your butcher to score, roll and truss the pork neck. Note

Mmm mmm, breakfast in a pie. These sausage, egg and bacon pies are delicious for breakfast or brunch, and also make great after-school snacks.

With a name like chocolate love pots, you can't go past these little pots of chocolately goodness when planning a romantic dinner.

A hearty family classic makes a great meal on cold nights.

This is a great dish for using up whatever vegetables you have on hand, including cooked leftovers. Roasted vegetable couscous makes a great lunch, or a delicious side at dinner.

Invigorate your senses with this flavoursome Moroccan chicken dish. Filled with spices, salty olives and zesty lemon, this is one juicy meal you won't forget any time soon.

Sabyon is the French name for Zabaglione, the fluffy custard and sometimes beverage. The lime flavoured sabayon is delicious with poached fruit such as peaches, mandarins or mango. Enjoy shortbread biscuits dipped in the coffee based version.

Let your creativity flow when designing these beautiful toffee decorations. Try different shapes, sizes, patterns and designs for some fun and variation.

Offer your guests this seafood platter as part of a selection of tapas or share plate dishes at your next gathering. Serve with a bowl of olives, crusty bread and a glass of icy cold, crisp white wine.

Amaretto, originally from Italy, is an almond-flavoured liqueur and can be purchased from liquor stores. If small panettone are unavailable, cut 7cm rounds from large panettone, brioche or fruit bread.

Give your family a taste of Asia with this heavenly hoisin pork recipe. Served alongside crispy green vegetables it is healthy and delicious. Any leftovers can be used up for school lunchbox sandwiches.

Panna cotta translates from the Italian as "cooked cream", but this dessert is far more delectable than these simple words. The addition of passionfruit adds a refreshing tropical, tangy flavour. You'll need about 6 for this recipe.

The addition of the liqueur of your choice to this luscious strawberry sorbet takes this icy delight to new levels of decadence. Serve your guests this ruby red and refreshing dessert at your next dinner party

Tempura is a popular Japanese dish in Australia, and for good reason. This seafood and vegetable version, done well, results in the merest hint of light, crisp batter coating that melts on the tongue.

This herbed beef fillet is exceedingly good. We've cooked it to a rare finish in this recipe. Whichever way you decide cook it, remember to rest it for at least 10 minutes to get the most out of this delicious cut of meat.

Few people can resist the temptation of freshly cooked vegetable crisps. While potato is the commonly chosen option, consider the humble eggplant. You'll be surprised how tasty these crispy morsels can be.

Wrap fresh pita bread snugly around this delicious chicken kebab with garlic sauce. Add plenty of fresh salad and you have perfectly balanced meal, with limited washing up. Win.

The secret to our delicious lasagne is the pork and veal mince in the meat sauce, which gives it a balanced and rich flavour. The ricotta in our white sauce gives it an extra creaminess and lusciousness without the guilt.

These frozen chocolate tiramisu bars are dead easy and terrifically impressive. Just a few moments worth of effort topped with a little sprinkle of cocoa and you'll have a grown up dessert that will satisfy the most discerning of tastes.

This slow roasted pork with fennel dish will fill your kitchen with the type of aroma that will have the hoards running to the dinner table. Any leftovers can be sliced and used for the kids' lunchbox sandwiches.

Making your own pasta dough is incredibly satisfying and easier than you might think. You do need a pasta machine, but the investment is worthwhile; just one bite of freshly made pasta and you'll see why.