You need two large (460g) overripe bananas to get the required amount of mashed banana. Note

Serve this cake warm. Note

Hot chocolate flakes are usually sold in the coffee section of the supermarket. Note

This recipe would also work really well with apple. serving idea Note

You could also add some coarsely chopped fresh coriander or finely chopped fresh chilli to the corn salsa. Couscous, the North African cereal made from semolina, lends an intriguing crunch to the coating on the chicken. Note

Equipment 30cm (12-inch) round wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 3cm x 3.5cm (1¼-inch x 1½-inch) scalloped cutter 3 wooden skewers 2 paper piping bags Tape measure Fine artist’s paint brush 2.5cm (1-inch) perspex measure Tweezers Pale minty green and soft dusty pink blend together for a sweet old- fashioned […]

Store slice in an airtight container for up to a week. Note

It is important that the chocolate moulds are thoroughly cleaned and dried before using. You will need to buy three 50g packets of Smarties. Work quickly while making chocolate numbers, as the chocolate tends to set quickly. You may need to resoften the chocolate in a microwave oven for a couple of seconds, if this […]

Pork neck is a moist, tasty cut which pot-roasts really well. This is an easy way to cook; make sure the pan you use has a heavy base for even cooking and a tight-fitting lid. Note

You could make the combination while cooking the purées; freeze, in 1-tablespoon portions in ice-cube trays, covered, for up to 1 month. Freeze remaining creamed corn in 1-tablespoon batches in ice-cube trays, covered, for up to 1 month. Reheat frozen portions in a microwave oven on MEDIUM (50%) power until just warmed. Note

This delicious cake is both cheesecake, and margarita cocktail. For when you've just had one of those days.

Black Cats and vanilla Milk Bottles are found in Allen’s Party Mix. Pink and oranges Nerds are found in Wonka Neon Nerds. Note

Panang is the English adaptation of the Thai word “phanoeng” or “panaeng” meaning curry. The paste is a complex, sweet and milder variation of an authentic Thai red curry paste, which is especially good with seafood. Some commercially prepared curry pastes can vary in heat and flavour. Add less than recommended until you can determine […]

We used the firm, non-astringent persimmon variety (fuji fruit) in this recipe. Note

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

Literally meaning “composed salad”, the ingredients in this dish are layered on top of each other, rather than being tossed together, and the dressing is drizzled over the top. Note

This decadent chocolate coffee cake layered with vanilla mascarpone cream piled high with sweet syrupy marsala-soaked dates is almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.

Pepitas, dried pumpkin seeds, are available hulled or unhulled, raw or roasted. Most people here usually eat them as a snack or in a homemade muesli, but in many other countries they are commonly ground into meal for use as a sauce thickener. Note

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 you have an electric pressure cooker you won’t need to reduce the heat to stabilise pressure, your cooker will automatically stabilise itself. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions before using. Recipe not suitable to freeze. Note

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

Golden, caramelised apples are the perfect topping for these light, fluffy pancakes. Drizzle with syrup and add a dollop of cream or ice-cream for a truly decadent dessert.

Line quiche pans one at a time. Keep the remaining pastry sheet covered with a damp clean tea towel, to stop it drying out while lining the first quiche pan. Note

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

If you don’t have a candy thermometer, boil the syrup until it’s thick with heavy bubbles. Remove from heat, let bubbles subside, then reassess the thickness of the syrup. Note

The sauce is not suitable to freeze. Note

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

Variation; for an orange blossom and mint tea syrup cake, omit the french earl grey tea in the cake and instead add 1 tablespoon orange blossom water with the lemon juice in step 3. Omit the earl grey syrup and instead make ‘orange blossom and mint tea syrup’. Serve the cake drizzled with syrup. Note

This spiced coriander, lentil and barley soup is creamy, delicious and filling.

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

Use a good quality whole-egg mayonnaise. 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

Equipment Deep 15cm (6-inch) round cake pan Deep 23cm (9¼-inch) square cake pan 15cm (6-inch) round prepared cake board 30cm (12-inch) square prepared cake board 2 medium piping bags fitted with medium plain tubes Tracing wheel 3 bamboo skewers Use any leftover butter cake mix to make cupcakes. The decorated cake can be completed two […]

If you don’t have an 11cm round cutter, simply use a saucer or bowl instead. Add an icing bow to the ear for a girly elephant or use a pretty ribbon. If using butter cream instead of the vanilla frosting, you will need one quantity of butter cream. You need 1 sponge cake round and […]

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

Treacle can be used in place of molasses. Note

Use a soft creamy blue cheese for the blue cheese mousse. The mousse can be made a day ahead and kept, covered, in the fridge. It’s best to cook the beef as close to serving time as possible. Note

This cake is good for a younger child’s birthday. Use any colours you like. Equipment 32cm (13-inch) square wooden cake board 18cm (7-inch) square wooden cake board Smoothing tools 4 wooden skewers Paper piping bag Tape measure Plastic ruler Pizza cutter Fine artist’s paint brush 5cm (2-inch) round cutter 4cm (1½-inch) round cutter 2cm (¾-inch) […]

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.

This recipe would also be delicious using cauliflower instead of broccoli, or a mixture of both. Note

Edible glitter is available from specialist cake decorating shops Note

Kick start you day with these satisfying, flavour-packed pancakes, or serve them up as a late-afternoon snack for the family. They'll be a hit with kids and adults alike.

The cake and persimmons can be made a day ahead. Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature; store persimmons in an airtight container in the fridge. Note

storage Friands will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days, or in the freezer (without frosting) for 2 months. Note

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

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

This moist cake can be eaten warm or cold. Note

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

You will need about 1 ½ bunches of rhubarb for this recipe. While the cake is baking, turn it every 20 minutes for even browning. Subsitutes; chia seeds are one of the highest occurring plant sources for omega-3 and are available from supermarkets. If you prefer, you can omit them from the recipe or use […]

Delicate and beautiful sweet violet cakes for sharing with family and friends.