Dinner

Tasting your risotto is the best way to tell if it is done as cooking times often vary for different brands of rice – the texture should be oozy, not starchy or stodgy, and the rice should be firm but tender to the bite. Note

Gnudi are similar to gnocchi, only made with ricotta. You could roast the pumpkin the day before if you like; store in the fridge. Note

If you don’t like tarragon, replace it with chervil or fennel seed. Note

Equipment paper towel; food processor (for breadcrumbs) sharp knife; frying pan; wooden spoon; large baking dish; butchers twine; foil; skever; sleve; whishk 5kg (size 50) turkey, rinsed well inside and out, then patted dry Roasting the turkey upside down for most of the cooking time will ensure lovely moist breast meat. The duck fat (available […]

Delicious seafood chowder with mussels in a rich broth, served with bread rolls and lemon wedges

Spanakopita is the traditional name for Greek spinach and feta pie. We used frozen spinach as it’s cheaper, readily available and there is less preparation involved. You can substitute other fresh, white cheeses for the feta, such as ricotta. Equipment pie or baking dish; pastry brush; large non-stick frying pan; wooden spoon; whisk; large mixing […]

Here's our take on the traditional Greek savoury dish, usually made with thin pastry. We've added tender pasta to create a flavoursome dish the whole family will love.

These yummy meatballs are cooked in a sauce made with sofrito, with is a combination of finely chopped aromatic ingredients. Equipment sharp knife; chopping board; food processor; bowl; large saucepan with lid; spoon; large non-stick frying pan; slotted spoon; paper towel Note

Try bacon instead of salami; flavour will vary. Use walnut oil, instead of olive, for more nutty flavour. Note

Try flattened chicken thigh fillets instead of beef; cooking time will vary. Note

This divine pie is guaranteed to become a family favourite and is a great recipe to use up any leftover roast chicken.

Bbq chicken, spinach and pasta frittata

Make chermoulla up to a week ahead. Spoon into a clean jar, smooth the surface and top with a layer of oil. Chill. Note

Smooth ricotta has a softer texture than fresh ricotta and is sold in tubs. To lower fat content, use lean beef mince. Note

Stand sour cream at room temperature for 10 minutes before whisking with eggs. Note

Make pancakes and mince mixture up to 2 days ahead. Both can be frozen separately for up to 3 months. To save time, use bought pancakes. Note

You can use bacon instead of prosciutto. Chicken lovely legs are skinless drumsticks with part of the bone trimmed. You can use regular skinless drumsticks; cooking time will vary. Note

Use any deli cold meat instead of salami Note

Use green capsicum instead of red if preferred. To save time, use a kettle to boil water for pasta. Note

To blanch beans: place in a large heatproof bowl; cover with boiling water; stand 2-3 minutes or until just tender. Refresh under cold water. Note

You can use veal, leg steaks or chicken breast fillets instead of pork. Make extra pesto butter; roll in plastic wrap to form a log, then freeze for another time. Note

Use dried noodles instead of fresh; you’ll need to soak longer. Note

If preferred, you can use a 250g packet thawed frozen spinach. Note

Pasta sauce is a thick tomato-based sauce. Note

You can use frozen spinach (thawed) instead of fresh. Replace chives with green onion. Replace half the stock with water. Polenta will thicken on standing. It is best cooked just before serving. Note

Toss baby rocket or spinach leaves into salad. Try adding frozen peas (thawed) and finely chopped celery to salad Note

Try using crumbled ricotta or feta instead of haloumi. You can use any short pasta you like. For best result, assemble recipe just before serving. Note

To microwave rice, place 1 cup basmati rice and 2 cups warm water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High (100%) for 10-12 minutes or until tender. Note

DIY idea: You can use green beans instead of broccoli. Add unused coconut to breakfast cereal. Note

Instead of cherry tomatoes, use 2 medium ripe tomatoes chopped. You can substitute large shell or spiral pasta. Note

Budget tip: Use celery instead of leeks. Floury potatoes will give the best results. Note

If using pesto from the jar, add 1-2 tablespoons (or to taste). If fennel is in season, thinly slice 1 small bulb and add with leeks in Step 3 for extra flavour. Note

Medley mix has an assortment of baby tomatoes. Note

Potato and coconut cream are not suitable for freezing. Add chopped tomatoes if you like. Do not boil cream as curry may curdle. Note

If preferred, use chicken thigh cutlets (skin on) or drumsticks; cooking time will vary. Note

An exquisite and delicious salmon tart from New Zealand Woman's Weekly.

Lamb Pot Pies: Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan forced. Remove meat from reserved chops; cut into 3cm pieces. Place in a bowl. Blend 2 teaspoons cornflour with 1/4 cup hot chicken stock; add to lamb. Add 1 cup par-cooked kumara (orange sweet potato) cubes and 1 cup frozen peas. Stir to combine. Spoon mixture into […]

This cosy and gorgeously tender beef in red wine is packed with loads of fresh vegetables, topped with smooth mashed potato, creating a beautiful and comforting midweek family meal

Pork neck is a delicious cut, suitable for slow roasting or bruising. Star anise is available from delis, greengrocers and Asian grocery stores. If unavailable, you can use 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise. You can replace sherry with extra stock if preferred Note

If lamb leg is unavailable, you will need 750g diced lamb. You can also use diced chicken thigh fillets, but cooking time will vary. Water level must be 2cm above rice. Note

Buy good quality basil pesto instead of making your own. Use roast capsicum or pumpkin instead of tomatoes. For a unique flavour, use spinach or rocket instead of basil leaves in the pesto. You can use chicken schnitzel instead of veal. Use separate hands to dip schnitzel into the egg and the crumb coating. If […]

Omit sun-dried tomatoes. Use frozen chopped spinach if you like; thaw, then squeeze out excess liquid. Note

You can use any pasta shape; cooking time may vary. For a deliciously rich nutty taste, heat butter until a nut brown colour. To prevent butter burning, quickly remove pan from heat and transfer batter to pasta. Note

You can make garlic butter by combining 1 clove crushed garlic and 2-3 tablespoons margarine. Note

If using bamboo skewers, soak in cold water for 20 minutes before threading to prevent scorching during cooking. Note

To save time, cut chicken into pieces for faster cooking. Note

Budget tip: Use large leaves; reserve centre of cabbage for stir-fries or salads. You will need 1 large cabbage for this recipe. Rice will be slightly crunchy but will then soften when rolls are baked. Note

For best results, cook rice a day ahead; refrigerate. Note

Omit wine – use extra stock. For best result, place oven shell so top of roasting pan is at centre of oven. Use white balsamic instead lemon juice. Note

Brought to you by Recipes+, this easy butter chicken recipe is rich, indulgent and ready in just under an hour. This classic flavourful and comforting dish will be a family favourite.

Barbecue chicken pizza brought to you by Recipes Plus

Instead of buying char- grilled capsicum, roast your own with the potatoes. Use leftover mayonnaise with grilled chicken or prawns. Freeze egg whites in ice-cube trays for Eater use. Note

You can use any flavour of gravy mix in this recipe. Note

Chicken cacciatore with classic chicken braised with tomatoes and wine, with olives and anchovies. Serve this fragrant sauce with risoni.

Use lamb or pork mince instead of beef. To disguise vegetables mixed with other ingredients, process until very finely chopped. No bamboo steamer? Use a metal one, but cook meatballs in small batches. Note

Replace bacon with chopped paricetta or smoked ham. For a vegetarian main meal, omit bacon; add 2/3 cap chopped toasted hazelnuts. Tortiglioni is large tube-style pasta; you can use perme or rigatoni if you like. Serve topped with flaked parmesari. Note

Make ahead: Make risoni filling the day before; prepare and fill pumpkin just before serving. Risoni is rice-shaped pasta. Use any small pasta shape; cooking time may vary. Note

Vegetarian: Use vegetable stock, extra 1/4 cup parmesan and 1/2 cup toasted flaked almonds. Note

Replace marinara mix with mussels and chopped firm white fish such as hake. For extra lemon zing, add 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest. Note

Try a combination of pork and veal mince. You can use a 22cm springform pan or a large loaf pan. Process 1 slice of day-old white bread to make crumbs. Note

Try using kumara instead of pumpkin. You can make this meatloaf in a large loaf pan. You can use any mince, but the higher the fat content, the more the meatloaf can shrink as it cooks. Note

Look for these beans at health food stores and greengrocers. If unavailable, use canned chickpeas or kidney beans – no need to soak overnight or cook. Add finely chopped fresh chillies and coriander to salsa. Note

Budget tip: You can use chicken stock instead of wine. Top pie with scrunched sheets of filo pastry instead of puff pastry. Note

Replace hazelnuts with a can of rinsed brown lentils. Note

For maximum flavour, marinate chicken overnight. You can replace hoisin sauce with plum sauce. You can also use 2 x 1kg fresh whole chickens. These are usually sold in twin packs. Cooking time will vary. Serve with a quick gravy made from powdered gravy, boiling water and crushed garlic cloves. If Dutch carrots are unavailable, […]

Chorizo is a spicy sausage available from major supermarkets and delis. If chorizo is unavailable, use saiami. For an authentic touch, add scrubbed, de-bearded mussels with chicken in Step 3; discard any that don’t open. Note

Pasta must be hot when you add egg mixture; the heat from pasta thickens sauce. Note

Use dill instead of parsley. Note

You can use 2 bunches spinach or 400g frozen chopped spinach, thawed and with excess liquid removed. You will need to yield 1 cup (squeezed) cooked spinach. Cover pastry with a damp tea-towel to prevent it drying out. Prepare strudel several hours ahead if you like – chill until ready to cook. Note

If you do not want to deep-fry balls, spray arancini with olive oil; bake at 180°C (160°C fan-forced) for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Use breadcrumbs instead of stuffing mix. Note

Add your favourite antipasto vegetables. Note

Sprinkle rolls with poppy seeds if you like. Use pumpkin insteod of kumara. Freeze uncooked rolls for up to 2 months; bake still frozen. Cooking time will vary. Note

To prevent apples discolouring, drizzle with lemon juice or chop just before adding to salad. Note

As a guide, roast a leg of lamb (bone in) 25-30 minutes per 500 grams for medium. To make gravy, place 4 tablespoons gravy powder in a heatproof jug; stir in 2 caps boiling water until sauce thickens. Note

A Hungarian goulash recipe filled with tender beef and vegetables and served with sour cream and mashed potato

To prepare couscous, soak 1 cup couscous in 1 cup boiling water or stock for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed, fluff grains with a fork to separate. Note