Workday lunches

Tender T-bone steaks with blue-cheese butter and a sweet pear salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

This coconut chicken curry is the ideal choice for people who don’t like fiery curries. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. You need to buy small baby buk choy as they are tender enough to be eaten raw. Note

Topped with crispy croutons and wedges of avocado, this green salad is about as delicious and healthy as you can get.

This is a great little sauce, herby and creamy, pesto crème fraîche works as a dip, condiment or even as a simple pasta sauce.

The melding of these ingredients yields a sticky ginger caramel flavour that really transforms the ham to golden perfection.

You need to cook 1½ cups (300g) white long-grain rice the day before for this recipe. Remove skin from chicken and cut the meat off the bone for your toddler. Honey may contain harmful bacteria and is not recommended for children under one year old. Note

The combination of fresh barbecued squid and salty squid works so well together, you'll be surprised you haven't tried it earlier! Serve with crusty toast and a fresh olive dressing for an ultimate flavour kick.

A light and flavoursome yellow curry with kumara, green beans and tofu from Australian Women's Weekly.

This traditional Italian pasta dish is the ultimate comfort food, packed full of flavour to nourish the body and soul. Crispy bacon, button mushrooms and chives are tossed in a creamy sauce with perfectly cooked fettuccine.

These juicy char-grilled prawns with lemongrass and lime butter make a great weekend lunch served with crusty bread and a green salad.

To make pesto; blend or process basil, cheese, pine nuts and garlic until chopped finely; with motor operating, add oil, process until combined. Press plastic wrap over surface; refrigerate until needed. Note

You can use 1 teaspoon of worcestershire sauce instead of the anchovy fillets. This salad is a great way to use up leftover roast chicken. Shred the chicken and add to the salad instead of the poached chicken breasts. Note

An exquisite duck confit with pan-fried kipflers and pear and watercress salad for special occasions. The simple and centuries old process of cooking duck in this way has changed very little.

800g canned, rinsed, drained brown lentils can be used instead of the green lentils. Add them to the salad in step 5. Note

Four cheeses! Need we say more? A beautiful balance of gorgonzola, pecorino, fontina and parmesan, this decadent sauce is easy to make and pairs perfectly with gnocchi or any kind of pasta.

Everybody loves a bagel. For this recipe, we've selected avocado, ham and cheese, but don't stop there. Try smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers, or chicken and avocado for an equally delicious lunch.

Different cheeses can be used if the ones mentioned are unavailable. Gruyère, mozzarella, mild brie blue, provolone, vintage cheddar or raclette ­ mix and match until you find a combination you like best. Note

Flaky, golden filo pastry wrapped around a creamy chicken and leek filling makes for a delicious savoury strudel.

Bright, light and zesty, this classic dish makes a perfect starter or simple lunch. The garlic compliments all kinds of shellfish beautifully.

A healthy and easy warm coconut chicken salad.

You will need to soak eight bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour to prevent them from splintering and scorching. The sauce can be used as a marinade for the chicken before cooking, but cook chicken on medium heat so marinade does not burn before meat cooks through. You can also use ready-made […]

Asian-spiced turkey with a deliciously sweet and spiced peach and cranberry chutney.

Fresh and fast, this spicy prawn stir-fry with noodles makes a great mid-week summer dinner.

We used small (15cm/6 inch diameter) packaged pizza bases for this recipe. A Mexican staple, frijoles refritos (refried beans) are sold canned in supermarkets. You will also find spicy tomato salsa in supermarkets. Note

You can use any short pasta you like instead of teh farfalle, especiallly short tubular types, such as penne or rigatoni. Cook the pasta until it’s firm to the tooth or, as the italian say ‘al dente’. Note

If using a grill (broiler), place sardines skin-side up on oiled oven tray. Note

A delicious and filling antipasto that is perfect for tapas or cocktail food.

Tender chicken livers bring their incomparable flavour to this rich chicken terrine layered with asparagus spears and wrapped in prosciutto.

Spicy black bean sauce is available from Asian grocery stores and the Asian section of larger supermarkets. You can use a milder black bean sauce, if you prefer. Note

Dried chinese sausages, also called lop chong, are commonly made from pork but can be made with duck liver or beef. Red-brown in colour and sweet-spicy in flavour, they are sold, dried and strung, in all Asian food stores. Note

This soup is our take on the classic Greek avgolemono (which translates as egg and lemon). There are as many variations of this soup as there are Greek families, but the avgolemono mixture, added near the end of the cooking time, is always the crowning glory.

Just 4 ingredients and a few minutes and you have a quick, easy and hearty soup. Serve with toast or buttered bread for a complete supper.

A healthy and refreshing blue-eye trevalla with fennel salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

Sweet Asian-style duck salad with mandarin and pomegranate.

What better way to contribute to your five-a-day with this eye catching eggplant, feta and capsicum stack. It makes a perfectly healthy, light lunch on its own, or a delicious accompaniment to a tender steak.

If you've never cooked a roast turkey before, or are just after a simple fool-proof recipe, then you're in the right place. Follow the instructions, and you'll have a perfectly cooked bird. Check the size of your oven and make sure you choose one that will fit!

Flavoured and fragrant Vietnamese tomato rice from Australian Women's Weekly.

Give this delicious and under appreciated vegetable a little extra sweetness and roast them to perfection. They will make a colourful and healthy side dish for your next roast.

Ravioli or gnocchi can be substituted for the tortellini, but spinach and ricotta is better than meat-based fillings for this sauce. Note

Quick and easy teriyaki chicken rice paper rolls; the perfect starter dish to share with dinner guest.

Any Asian greens can be used in this recipe. Try it with buk choy or gai lan (also known as chinese broccoli); you need one bunch of asian greens. Add some baby spinach leaves and cucumber ribbons to the salad, if you like. Toss cooked rice stick noodles through the salad, if liked. Note

Flaky golden filo pastry stuffed with silverbeet, mushrooms and cheese makes for a savoury lunch or light dinner.

Give your steak sandwich a delicious mediterranean twist with the addition of char grilled zucchini and eggplant. Let the meat rest for a few minutes before serving to guarantee a tender, moist result.

This moreish salad makes a great weeknight meal and is also fantastic for the lunchbox.

This crispy and delicious twice-fried sichuan beef stir fry is a popular Chinese dish.

Moist date muffins with orange syrup from Australian Women's Weekly.

A variety of seafood from whitebait to salmon and everything in between can be used here. The secret is to use refrigerater-cold soda water for the batter as it helps prevent the batter from absorbing too much oil. Do not make the batter ahead of time and don't overmix it.

In just over half an hour this fresh and simple pea and pancetta pasta can be on the dinner table. We can guarantee there'll be no complaints, especially if it's served alongside some hot and crusty garlic bread.

The ginger broth can be made ahead and kept, covered, for several days in the refrigerator, or freeze for up to six months. Note

This pie is a feast of the senses with a healthy alternative crust.

You can buy the ham hock from delis or your butcher. Make a large quantity and store leftover soup in fridge or freezer in individual serving sizes for later lunches. Note

A fragrant and rich Thai red curry from Australian Women's Weekly.

Easy and tasty vegetable curry pies from Australian Women's Weekly.

Fresh and healthy zucchini, carrot & corn fritters from Australian Women's Weekly.

A great summer salad with grilled onion and a mint chimichurri, an Argentinian-style sauce.

Give your usual roast lamb dinner an extra protein kick with a side of broad bean mash. Finish off with a generous helping of mint sauce, and a glass of your favourite red.

Peanut dressing can be made one day ahead and refrigerated, covered. Note

Mexican-style baked beef burritos with guacamole and sour cream from Australian Women's Weekly.

A colourful lamb stew packed full of big flavours.

Light and refreshing Asian-style teriyaki beef salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

Soak 8 bamboo skewers in cold water for at least an hour before using to prevent splintering and scorching. Note

These spicy prawns with fresh coriander and lime would make a stunning tapas dish.

Try this delicious Lebanese snack with a cooling yoghurt sauce and fresh mint.

Moghrabieh is a pearl-sized couscous and is available from delicatessens, specialty food stores and some supermarkets.

Zucchini and beef sfougato, a Greek-style omelette, from Australian Women's Weekly.

Tabbouleh is a Levantine vegetarian dish traditionally made of tomatoes and finely chopped parsley.

You need to make double the amount of the sushi rice for this recipe. Wiping a sharp knife with a damp cloth will make cutting the roll easier. You can use salmon roe if ocean trout roe is unavailable. Note

With the stunning, fragrant flavours of ginger, chilli, coriander and lime, these juicy Asian fish cakes make a delicious and light meal.

Ask the fishmonger to clean the baby octopus for you, or buy prepared baby octopus, instead. Octopus should be cooked quickly over a high heat until they turn opaque;­ over-cooking will toughen them. Note

Healthy and filling tuna and white bean salad with a zingy French dressing.

Almond mustard pork with nashi & orange slaw from Australian Women's Weekly.

Fragrant and filling Thai-style green chicken curry pies make a great alternative to your usual meat pie. Accompany with plenty of green vegetables for a complete meal.

This creamy, hearty mushroom sauce goes perfectly with tender pork medallions to create a quick and easy weeknight family dinner.

Crispy, flaky whiting is served here with a fresh and flavour-packed tomato and olive salsa to create a quick and tasty dinner which is both healthy and delicious.

A great French bistro classic, pepper steak is often served with fries. We love it served on a bed of creamy mash, slathered with mushroom sauce and accompanied by crisp sugar snap peas.

Korma is a mild and creamy curry, and this chicken korma is perfect for those who like plenty of flavour but don't like too much spice or heat.

Feeding a family of big eaters is expensive! When I find a meat-free meal they enjoy, it helps the weekly budget. This risotto is the kind of dish that can be made if there are the very barest of essentials in the cupboard. It has light flavours to match the season. I do have to pay attention to the pot, but only for half an hour, so it’s no drama.

Traditionally a spiced mince curry with peas, and often potatoes. Leftover keema can be used to make samosas.

This tender braised octopus in red wine recipe works well cooked in a cast-iron pot over a low flame.