Pickling spice is a mixture of mustard seeds, black peppercorns, dill seeds, allspice and bay leaves. It is available from the spice section in most supermarkets. Note

A light and healthy Indian-style breakfast dish that packs a real flavour punch.

Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. Cut skewers to an appropriate size using scissors, if they are too long. Note

EQUIPMENT 20cm x 25cm (8-inch x 10-inch) rectangular cake board You can use a tub of strawberry frosting, if you prefer, place the frosting in a piping bag fitted with a small fluted tube to pipe the rosettes. Note

If buying prawns in the shell, you will need to buy about 185g uncooked prawns. Note

Although associated with America, the shortcake in fact originated in England and Europe. In England it was known as shortbread, until that name came to be used exclusively for the New Year Scottish shortbreads. Shortcake can be made a week ahead, assemble just before serving. Store covered, in refrigerator freeze shortcake suitable microwave jam suitable. […]

Soak bamboo skewers in cold water for an hour before using to prevent them from splintering and scorching. Note

Late morning is a good time to serve this country breakfast, skipping lunch and going for a long afternoon walk before dinner.

Before starting the recipe, boil the kettle so you have boiling water ready to go into the saucepan to blanch the brussels sprout leaves. You need to plunge the leaves into iced water, so make sure you have some on hand. You could also use a portion of cold-smoked, boneless trout, if you prefer. Note

Pomegranate molasses is available at Middle Eastern food stores and specialty food shops. Note

Bean thread vermicelli is called win sen in Thailand and fun si in China. While it resembles rice vermicelli in appearance, it is tougher and can be quite hard. Soak the vermicelli only long enough to soften otherwise it will become stodgy or start to fragment. This is also a good vermicelli to deep-fry to […]

A bright and summery salad packed full of healthy and crunchy raw vegetables.

Soak bamboo skewers in cold water for at least an hour prior to use, to prevent splintering or scorching. Note

Aïoli can be made easily at home: Combine ½ cup whole-egg mayonnaise and 1 crushed garlic clove in a small bowl. Season to taste. Note

The richness of pork works perfectly with fresh and aromatic flavours, as in the coating mixture and salad for this recipe. Loin chops have a fatty edge ­ trim it if you wish, but don’t remove it as it makes the meat flavoursome and luscious. Note

A sweet, tangy and refreshing sorbetto that is perfect for a summer's evening.

We used blue-eye fillets in this recipe. Note

Delicious summer rolls with red wine marinated sausages and a parsley and chervil salad.

Sun-dried tomato pesto can also be used. Note

Macaroons are available from specialty bakery shops and select supermarkets. We used ganache to cover the cake as it will set and hold the macaroons in place. We bought 15 packets of macaroons to get the 30 pink, 6 brown, 19 vanilla and 18 light brown colours used in this cake. To save money, use […]

Grilled sausages with a colourful and delicious pear and witlof salad.

Use a combination of basil and mint leaves if you cannot find any japanese mint (shiso). You will need half a small jap pumpkin for this recipe. Note

Soak bamboo skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes before using to prevent them scorching during cooking. Note

Did you know? Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a summer squash. Its colour ranges from dark green/black to pale green, green/grey and yellow. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C, fibre and folate. Note

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

Store-bought sponge cakes can also be used in this recipe. Note

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

Using wide, tender pappardelle means more surface area to carry that delicious, cheesy, prosciutto-packed carbonara sauce right to your watering mouth.

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

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

Spaghettini is a very thin spaghetti. It is available from Italian grocery stores and most large supermarkets. 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

Can use leftover roast pork or chinese barbecued pork. Note

When dissolved gelatine is added to a mixture, both should be roughly the same temperature. Note

You could use tahini (sesame seed paste) instead of grinding the toasted sesame seeds. Beans or watercress can be used instead of spinach in this salad, and peanuts or macadamia nuts could be substituted for the sesame seeds. If you like, you can sprinkle the cooked spinach with smoked dried bonito flakes. Note

Lamb’s lettuce, also known as mâche or corn salad, is very popular in France. It has a mild, almost nutty flavour and dark green leaves. It is usually sold in 125g punnets, but the leaves probably weigh only about a quarter of that total. Note

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

Early season imperial mandarins have a lovely aromatic rind, however, as they have a loose skin, a microplane grater is the best tool to use. You could substitute lemon or orange rind. Note

Soak bamboo skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes before using to prevent the skewers burning during cooking. We used flathead fillets in this recipe, but you can use any firm white fish fillets you like. Tatsoi is a variety of buk choy, also known as rosette bok choy. It has dark, glossy, […]

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.

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

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

Pizza fingers can be prepared the day before; put the toppings on, then cover them with plastic wrap and store them in the fridge. Bake when ready to eat. Note

Use a fish such as snapper or perch. Note

Sprinkle with nuts, season to taste. Note

Dried rose petals are available from specialist food stores. Note

We’ve used shredded coconut in our picture, but feel free to mix and match using shredded, desiccated or flaked. If you use flaked coconut, be sure to blend or process it until it’s chopped coarsely; this helps it to stick to the icing. Note