Simmer

Use a non-reactive stainless steel, enamel or glass saucepan for this recipe. Note

A light broth with slices of tender chicken, fresh peas and asparagus spears, this soup makes an excellent starter for a dinner party.

This is a recipe for the seasoned Christmas pudding maker, filled with all of the classic flavours and then some. It makes a great addition to the holiday festivities.

Purchase frozen fresh prawn cutlets, not crumbed prawn cutlets; they come in 1kg (2-pound) `ready-to-cook’ packets. If you can’t find them, use frozen uncooked prawns, instead. Note

This is a rich and sophisticated dessert that makes an elegant end to a special dinner.

This rich mocha cake with coffee syrup is pudding-like, darkly sweet and entirely satisfying.

Beef stroganoff is a dish served in a sauce with sour cream. It originated in Russia in the 19th century and has since become popular around the world, with as many variations as there are countries that eat it. Here we've used pork instead of beef, but chicken may also be used.

For this recipe, we deboned a whole chinese barbecued duck, available from Asian barbecue takeaway stores. Choy sum, also known as chinese flowering cabbage, and tat soi, chinese flat cabbage, can be found at most greengrocers as well as Asian supermarkets

This healthy winter dessert would also be perfect for breakfast.

The rich flavour of fresh prawns stand up well to the robustness of a red curry. Serve with a steaming bowl of rice and an icy-cold beer and pretend you're on the beaches of Thailand.

Use canned or packaged consommé for a good flavour, but if you prefer, use chicken stock instead. Note

It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for the caramel filling Note

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.

Bollito misto, which translates as "boiled mixed meats", is a traditional North Italian dish served on New Year's Eve and other special occasions.

You can use a small game bird, such as guinea fowl, in place of the spatchcock in this recipe if you like.

Topped with candied carrot, this cardamom-infused fruit salad is magnificent served with thick Greek yoghurt.

Lemon balm tea is available from health food shops. Note

You can substitute ½ teaspoon ground turmeric for the saffron to achieve the right colour. Note

Bring sago out of the nursery and into its own with this delicious coconut sago pudding with ginger and palm sugar.

Cream mixture must be cooled 5 minutes before adding chocolate to avoid the chocolate “seizing”, that is, becoming grainy and firm and having the appearance of a dull paste. Note

This beautiful risotto is effortless yet brimming with flavour.

French for "rust", bright-orange-coloured rouille is a thickened capsicum and chilli-flavoured mayonnaise-like sauce often used stirred into, or as a garnish for, Provençal soups and stews.

This saucy chicken casserole is fantastic served with steamed rice and a green salad.

A hot and authentic Indian vindaloo with refreshing raita and spicy dhal made from scratch.

Mixture is not suitable to freeze. Note

Bring the taste of Italy to your home with this gorgonzola, speck and sticky balsamic pizza.

This leek and saffron sauce goes beautifully with fish and also as an accompaniment to grilled chicken breasts; pan-fried pork cutlets and steamed greens, such as asparagus and broccoli.

The stew is best made just before serving. If you want to freeze it, cook it up until the end of step 2. Add the mushrooms after reheating thawed stew. Note

For a beautiful winter dessert, serve this ruby-red quince tart with scoops of vanilla ice-cream.

Makes about 24 Note

Use any type or combination of berries you like. We used a combination of boysenberries, raspberries and cherries. Note

Seriously hot and yet creamy too, this Malaysian swordfish curry is bursting with flavour.

Silky smooth and deeply nourishing, this cream of celeriac soup is lifted by lemon and chervil and finished with a drizzle of olive oil.

Chicken stock can be substituted for dashi. You can add 100g tofu or 150g minced pork or chicken for a more substantial soup. Note

Simple is best when it comes to a refreshing summer dessert, as proven in this lovely dish of juicy orange-infused strawberries, mint and crème fraîche.

A rich and hearty tomato and carrot soup with chicken meatballs from Australian Women's Weekly.

cost-cutter Chickpeas are a major source of protein in cultures either predominantly vegetarian or where meat is considered a luxury item. Used in so many of our favourite dishes (think hummus and salsa), chickpeas can be soaked, parboiled then frozen in user-friendly amounts, ready to go when your menu dictates. One cup of dried chickpeas […]

An Australian/Kiwi twist to pouring custard. Banana custard also makes a great quick pie, just fill a ready-to-go pie case and top with sweetened whipped cream.

Any beef cut suitable for stewing can be used for the pie filling: gravy beef, skirt, blade or chuck steak. These cute little beef and stilton pies make excellent finger food.

Similar to porridge, this hearty, wholesome breakfast will definitely keep you going until lunchtime.

Naturally sweet pumpkin and orange make for a delicious dish of couscous.

You can substitute equivalent weights of peas, capsicum, mushrooms or zucchini if you prefer them to the vegetables suggested. Note

It is fine to use a 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Note

Storage in refrigerator for about 1 month. Note

A light and refreshing vegetable curry with yoghurt from Australian Women's Weekly.

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 you prefer, you can use 11/4 cups (380g) bottled fruit mince instead of the filling in this recipe. Note

This yummy mango and lime mousse makes a fruity and tangy alternative to the usual chocolate kind. With the slightly boozy and most delicious element of creme de menthe, you have a dessert just for the adults.

Store the balls in an airtight container, separated with baking paper, at room temperature, for up to 1 week. Note

There are many versions of hot and sour soup throughout Asia. The common factor, of course, is that they all have ingredients to make them both spicy, and sour. This one also has seafood and noodles and is a complete and delicious meal.

Use the best fish stock you can get for this recipe as the flavour relies on a good stock. Note

A great dish for meat-free Monday, or any other day you choose to cook a vegetarian feast, this lentil and egg curry can be bulked out with tender little cauliflower florets.

Lemon juice gives this cream of chicken soup a citrus lift, cutting through the richness of the soup.

Using lime curd for the filling of this tangy tart means you only have to bake the pie case, the rest is just a matter of setting.

Suitable to freeze at the end of step 3. Note

An easy dish of turkey meatballs with simple tomato sauce for all ages to enjoy.

There's nothing more refreshing than a long, cool glass of spritzer when you're parched. This zesty lime and mint spritzer will revive you.

These scallops on the half-shell, dressed with fragrant saffron cream and topped with salmon roe, make an exquisite starter for a very special dinner.

Mother's Day, Father's Day, Saturday, any day is the right day for pancakes with three toppings for breakfast, brunch or even lunch.

This is an extraordinary cake, perfect for a special occasion dessert or afternoon-tea. The crisp toffee shards, moist little apple cakes and maple frosting make an exquisite combination.

This incredibly simple fish curry uses ginger, garam masala, paprika and turmeric to add flavour without heat, and buttermilk for a smooth, creamy finish.

Taking the name from Baltistan, a mountainous region in northern Pakistan, balti curries often include paneer.

This cake is sublime served warm with thick, fresh cream.

This speedy soup is wholesome, filling and delicious with crusty bread rolls.

You can trim the ice-cream slice to fit the lamington, if you prefer. Note

Mexican food is a mid-week meal choice. It is easy to prepare, affordable, fresh and delicious!

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

An Italian soup with fusilli, cannelini beans and parmesan cheese.

Teaming sweet flavours with salt is not a new discovery, but in recent years the combination of salt and caramel has worked its way from the culinary elite to mainstream tastes. And a good thing, too.