Workday lunches

If you’ve ever brunched on yum cha, you’ve probably eaten gai lan and loved it; stir-fried or steamed then splashed with a little sesame oil and oyster sauce. This deliciously crunchy vegetable is the perfect accompaniment to our crisp-skinned chicken. Note

These pork buns are the perfect fusion of French and Vietnamese cooking.

A bright and colourful roasted cherry tomatoes, broccolini and pepitas salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

We used large (25cm diameter) packaged pizza bases for this recipe. Note

Substitutes You can use other flavoured sausages such as pork and apple. This dish is a great way to use up your leftover vegetables. Try using carrot, swede, fennel, pumpkin and kohlrabi instead of the kumara. Note

Salmon can be wrapped in baking paper several hours ahead; bake close to serving. Note

Sausage rolls can be made and frozen in advance. Allow an extra 10 minutes when baking from frozen. Middle-Eastern spice blend is available from supermarkets. Substitute with 1 tablespoon each ground cumin and coriander mixed with 1/2 teaspoon each ground turmeric and cardamom. Note

Danish salami is a smoked, delicately spiced salami; you can use another variety if you wish. Note

You can use either red or green apples in this recipe. Note

Crispy and flavour-packed roasted garlic, lemon and oregano chicken and potato wedges.

These spicy roasted chickens are great for sharing with friends and family.

frittata can be cooked on top of the stove, in a medium lightly oiled slightlysided 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

You can substitute any pasta for the penne in this recipe. The Italian name of this pasta (penne) means ‘pen’, a reference to the nib-like, pointy ends. Penne comes in both smooth (lisce) or ridged (rigate) versions, and a variety of sizes. Note

Bacon option; place a halved cooked bacon rasher on top of heated beans and continue layering as above. Note

We used large (25cm diameter) packaged pizza bases for this recipe. Fontina is an Italian cows-milk cheese that has a smooth but firm texture and a mild, nutty flavour. Mozzarella can be substituted for the fontina. Note

Preserved lemon can be bought in delis and some supermarkets. Remove and discard the flesh then wash and dry the rind before chopping. Note

Tender lamb forequarter stuffed full of exquisite Mediterranean flavours.

Can use leftover roast pork or chinese barbecued pork. Note

It is important to steam, not boil, the pumpkin and kumara, to prevent vegetables becoming watery. Chop vegetables the same size so they cook evenly. Note

If japanese curry powder is unavailable, any mild flavoured curry powder can be used. Note

This tomato chilli jam is deliciously versatile ­use it as a condiment in sandwiches, to pep-up stir-fries or as a glaze for chicken, fish or lamb fillets or skewers. Note

A quick, healthy and simple Asian-style stir-fry of chicken and spinach noodles.

Spiced chicken breasts with a flavourful blend of onions, tomatoes, capers, white wine and broad beans.

A delicious and warming pepper beef stir-fry with brussels sprouts from Australian Women's Weekly.

We used corn kernels from 2 large fresh corn cobs in this recipe, but you can use frozen (then thawed) kernels or well-drained canned kernels. Roast your own capsicum under the griller, or in the oven until the skin blisters and blackens, cover, cool, then remove skin before using. Or, buy roasted capsicum from a […]

To make a quick cocktail sauce, add a couple of teaspoons of tomato sauce and chilli sauce or Tabasco to the mayonnaise. Note

Peanuts can cause reactions in some children. They are not recommended for children under one year old. Note

For extra fibre, use wholemeal pasta. For those who are gluten-intolerant, try gluten-free pasta. Note

A fish burger makes a delicious alternative to a beef burger. You can use white-fleshed fish, or even prawns, instead of the salmon for something different. Note

Baskets can be deep-fried up to 4 hours ahead. Cover and keep airtight when cool, then reheat by immersing briefly in hot oil until heated through. Note

Any kind of dried beans can be substituted for canned beans, if preferred. Soak beans overnight. Boil until tender; drain. Use patience when spreading polenta into prepared pan; it tends to move and slip but can eventually be worked into corners of pan. Polenta can be made 1 day ahead to the refrigeration stage. Note

Plain (un-crumbed) chicken breast schnitzels are available from most supermarkets and some butchers and chicken shops. Chicken rolls can be prepared several hours ahead. Serve chicken rolls with salad or vegetables of your choice. Keep covered in the refrigerator and cook as required. Note

Delicious sweet and spicy Asian-style ribs are great for summer barbecues and dinner parties.

Cheesy corned beef sandwiches are a great way to use up leftovers.

A healthy spinach and haloumi salad with packed full of scrumptious flavours and textures.

This traditional Spanish frittata combines salty chorizo and fresh veggies to create a flavour-packed dinner dish the whole family will love.

If you have time, the pork mixture at the end of step 1 can be marinated for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. Note

Suitable from 6 months Store, covered, in the fridge for up to 2 days. Purée is suitable to freeze, in 1-tablespoon portions in ice-cube trays, covered, for up to 1 month. Note

American-style pork spareribs in a rich and delicious plum and star anise marinade with a light Asian-style pear, ginger and chilli salad.

These delicious little Asian-style morsels are perfect tapas or cocktail food.

Use a lemon zester to make lemon rind strips for decoration; soak them in iced water to make them curl. Note

Green lentils can be substituted for red lentils. Note

Slow cooker: suitable to the end of step 2. Pressure cooker: suitable to the end of step 2. Not suitable to freeze. Note

Delicious rich and hearty European goat and capsicum stew from Australian Women's Weekly.

Coq au vin is a traditional French dish of chicken braised in red wine, mushrooms, garlic and shallots.

A spicy sausage that originated in Tunisia, merguez has become traditional fare throughout North Africa and Spain.

We used blue-eye fish fillets in this recipe, but you can use any white fish fillets. Caramel sauce can be made in advance. Cover; refrigerate Note

Keep salad refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving. Note

Cooking the pizza in a covered barbecue gives it a wonderful smoky flavour similar to a wood-fired oven. If not using covered barbeque, pizza can be cooked in the oven. Place toppings on dough and bake until browned and crisp. There is no need to turn the dough over using this method. Note

Serve with a bowl of combined yoghurt and coarsely chopped fresh coriander, if desired. Note

Starchy potatoes, such as sebago, are best to use. Reheat before topping with dip and almonds. Note

There's nothing more rewarding than making your own pizza dough like a true Italian.

Quick and easy steamed Asian greens from Australian Women's Weekly.

You can buy packaged pizza bases in two sizes: the large ones we’ve used here measure 25cm across; smaller ones measure 15cm across and come packaged in pairs with a total weight of 225g. Use six of the small ones to make individual pizzettas. Note

Teppanyaki is the name given to a traditional Japanese cooking style where the food is cooked rapidly on a searingly hot grill plate on or near the table. Pink pickled ginger, also known as gari, can be found in most Asian grocery stores. Note

Lamb’s lettuce, also known as mâche or corn salad, has a mild, almost nutty, flavour and tender, narrow, dark green leaves. You need a 225g punnet for this recipe. It is available from most greengrocers. Note

Run a teaspoon down the centre of the cucumber to remove the seeds. If using bamboo skewers, cover the wooden ends with foil toprevent them from burning during cooking. Note

A super quick and easy pork sausage dish with crispy potatoes and cabbage for those busy midweek dinners.

Ground lemon myrtle is available from specialist spice shops and some gourmet food stores. Lemon myrtle is a small tree that grows in sub-tropical and tropical rainforest areas of Queensland. Ground lemon myrtle is a ground mixture of the dried leaf and flower; it has a strong lemon flavour. If you can’t find it, use […]