Lunch

Risioni is rice-shaped pasta It’s best to use medium to thick sausages. kumara is orange sweet potato. Note

This dough will also make 1 large rectangular pizza. On a large, rectangular, baking paper-lined baking tray, roll out dough to 2cm thick. For a speedy option, use a jar of mixed antipasto or leftover roast vegetables. Note

Use any rice or egg noodles; follow packet directions Use frozen pre-cut vegie stir-fry mix and stir-fry sauce. Note

To make your own mince, process budget rump steak. Note

To prevent pastry drying out, keep covered with a tea-towel while working. Note

Use tortellini or ravioli instead of agnolotti; flaked almonds instead of walnuts. Use a vegetable peeler to shave parmesen into thin strips. Note

Cut any leftover ginger into 2cm lengths; freeze in an airtight container. Chill leftover oyster sauce to use later in stir-fries. Note

You’ll need to cook about 1 1/2 cups rice. Rice is best cooked a day ahead; spread on a shallow tray and store in fridge. Note

Sumac is a slightly sour spice used in Middle Eastern cookery. Note

To make it easier to divide beaten egg into 4, beat 2 eggs at a time. Replace bok choy with other leafy greens Note

Leftovers are delicious with grated cheese in toasted sandwiches. When using canned tomatoes, try adding 1 teaspoon sugar to sweeten a little. You’ll need to cook about 1 cup rice. Note

You can add 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest instead of capers. Note

You can bake frittata in a 19cm-square pan or cook on stove tap in a medium (20cm base measurement) frying pan until just set, then cook under a preheated grill until golden. Replace tuna with thinly sliced, pan-fried chorizo sausage. Note

For a more authentic flavour, add chopped fresh chillies. Use thinly sliced barbecued beef or lamb instead of chicken. Note

For salad, use either white rice or wild rice blend; reduce cooking time according to packet instructions. Use any firm white fish fillet, such as snapper, ling or barramundi. Don’t leave fish to marinate in the lemon mixture; the acid in the lemon will start to cook the fish white standing. Note

Make mince mixture into patties or meatballs then pan-fry. Note

To prevent rolls drying out, cover with slightly damp paper towels when you’ve rolled them. Rice paper sheets are in the Asian food aisle. Note

You can also use leftover roast potatoes and pumpkin. You’ll need 400g roast potatoes and 300g roast pumpkin, cut into 1cm pieces. You can press mixture into a heated 22cm large frying pan then cook on stove top, turning once. Serve cut into wedges. Note

Use 3 teaspoons dried basil leaves instead of fresh. Note

Look for pizza bases topped with tomato sauce. Note

For best results, cook chicken over moderate heat and brush occasionally. Use green beans if asparagus is unavailable. Note

Alternatively, you could place the Moroccan spice mix with ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric and dried rosemary. Note

Use a food processor to combine butter with flour, but don’t over-process. Note

This recipe is a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Note

Use any good quality thick sausages and marinate them for longer if time permits. Note

Make ahead: Prepare a double quantity uncooked patties for another dinner. DIY idea: Try Turkish pide rolls instead. Note

Budget tip: Combine 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and a pinch of dried oregano for homemade Greek dressing. DIY idea: Try pork leg steaks instead of lamb. Use any bread, such as sourdough, multigrain or pita bread. Save time: Use bought croutons You’ll need about three-quarters of a parsley bunch. Note

Budget tip: You can use water instead of chicken stock. You’ll find stir-fry vegetables in the fresh produce section of the supermarket. Note

These beef burgers have a lovely cheesy centre. Serve them with toasted buns and a topping of baba ghanoush and crisp salad.

To freeze: Cool casserole. Spoon into airtight containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight. Choose cheap meat cuts: These have a higher percentage of marbled fat, so won’t toughen during long cooking times. Beef cuts include casserole steak, gravy beef, chuck and blade. Sear meat and chicken first: This locks in […]

If fresh mint is unavailable, you could substitute 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves. Note

To heat Lebanese bread, microwave on high (100%) for 20 seconds or until just warm. Tabouli: You’ll need one large bunch parsley. Before chopping, wash parsley to remove grit; dry well. Note

Use ripe regular tomatoes instead of cherry. Canned tuna is a great source of omega-3 fatty acid. Add sliced black olives if you like. Use iceberg instead of butter lettuce. Note

Look for mexican chilli powder in the spice aisle of your supermarket. You can also use taco seasoning. Note

Chorizo is paprika flavoured pork sausage. Note

Add spices such as ground cumin, coriander or cajun seasoning to oil when marinating chops. Use forequarter or lamb leg steaks if you like; cooking times might vary. Note

To make italian-style subs, replace bean mix with rinsed canned cannellini beans and replace coriander with flat-leaf parsley or pesto. Change tasty cheese to mozzarella. Note

To make your own Caesar dressing, whisk together 1/2 cup egg mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan, 2 drained anchovies, finely chopped, and 2 tablespoons warm water. Note

Sardines and capers are salty, so be careful to taste sardine spread before seasoning with salt. Note

A chunky, hearty and creamy chowder with prawns, smoked cod and mussels with potatoes. It can be served as a meal or as a starter. It is especially tasty when served with garlic bread.

Chinese cabbage is also known as wombok; it’s available from supermarkets and greengrocers. You can use red or savoy cabbage instead. Note

Incredibly moreish hearty, chunky and creamy seafood chowder, packed with smoked cod, prawns, mussels and potatoes is especially tasty when served alongside crisp garlic bread.

Budget tip: To get the cheapest fish, buy what’s in season. To remove seafood smell from your hands, rub them with lemon juice. Note

Sauce must be fairly thick or turnovers will become soggy on standing. Replace fish with chopped chicken breast fillet, if liked. Note

A creamy tuna mornay bake recipe packed full with vegetables and topped with lemon zest breadcrumbs. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this is the perfect dish for those quick midweek dinners.

For a heartier salad, soak Thai-style rice noodles, then add to this recipe. Note

Brush pastry bags with beaten egg, if you like. If available, you can use wan ton or grow gee wrappers instead of puff pastry. For a slightly more intense flavour, add sesame oil to mince mixture. Chill mixture for 15 minutes before preparing bags. Note

For an adult noodle mix, omit honey and cinnamon. Add a touch of curry powder and nuts such as raw unsalted almonds or cashews. Fried rice noodles are also available and are gluten free. Note

Colourful and fragrant, these easy roast veges will feed the masses and take care of themselves.

The sweet mango and cool cucumber, combined with the tangy dressing and hit of chilli, makes this salad really pop.

Inspired by the following ingredients I gathered from Matakana Farmers’ Market one Saturday, this deliciously fresh salad made a lovely lunch with friends. And a simple crusty ciabatta loaf was the perfect accompaniment.

Turn up the heat this winter with this spicy, warming dish by Julie Biuso

Enjoy the benefits of nutritionally rich, antioxidant-filled spinach in this tasty spinach and cheese tart. Cut up a slice for your family and serve with a side salad for a healthy dinner.

Reap the benefits of spinach and still enjoy your bacon and egg roll for breakfast with these tasty omelette rolls. Packed full of protein, it's the perfect way to start your day.

Growing up in Italy, Luca Villari’s home was always filled with the delicious aroma of his mother’s cooking. Here he presents one of her classic dishes

This quick and tasty spinach salad is packed full of goodness to fuel you for the day. Light, healthy and fresh, it is perfect for hot Summer days.

This warming winter soup by Sophie Gray will impress your friends and family

This warming winter soup by Sophie Gray will impress your friends and family.

Save time: Make a double batch of rissoles. Use half in sandwiches for lunch. Replace baba ganoush with hummus. Try a mixture of pork and veal mince. Note

Alternatively, you could make a family-size pie using a 22cm pie dish. Top your pie with 1 sheet of thawed puff pastry instead; cooking time will vary. Note

These sandwiches use delicious homemade guacamole instead of butter to spread the bread, so they're perfect for anyone with a dairy allergy!

Ask your butcher to cut shanks in half. To prepare couscous, place 1 cup couscous in a medium heatproof bowl; stir in 1 cup boiling water. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside 5 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Using a fork, fluff and separate grains. Note

Replace prawns with black mussels. Scrub well and remove beards. Add to sauce; simmer, covered, until they open. Discard mussels that do not open. Note

We used flake but you can substitute any firm white fish fillets – such us shopper, ling or perch. Try other pesto flavours such as sun-dried tomato. Note

If you don’t have a flameproof dish, brown chicken onion and garlic in a frying pan, then transfer to an ovenproof dish. Note

Serve with grilled fish fillets Note

You can use shredded barbecued chicken instead of tuna. If broccoli florets are too large, cut in half. Note

You can freeze uncooked crumbed chicken. Thaw in fridge overnight. Note

Buy smoked salmon in packets from the chilled food section. Note

Check pastry packaging as some brands may contain animal products. Note

Marmalade can catch to base of pan, so tum pork frequently. Note

Store leftover sesame seeds in the freezer. Use remaining capsicum to make Salt andamp; Pepper Squid (recipe p61) Note

You can use green beans instead of asparagus, if you like. Note

Add elbow macaroni in Step 2, cook for 5 minutes more or until pasta is tender. For a vegetarian option, omit bacon; use vegetable stock. Note

You will need to soak skewers in cold water for 20 minutes prior to preparing to prevent scorching. You can use chicken or firm white fish fillets. You need to cook 1 1/2 cups white long-grain rice a day ahead. Note

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup. For a truly authentic flavour, add 2-3 whole star anise to stock. Star anise is a dried spice with an aniseed flavour – it’s available from some greengrocers, Asian groceries and specialty spice stores. Note

You can use plum or a mixture of soy sauce and honey as a glaze. Note

Budget tip: You can also use canned flaked salmon; stir in at end of cooking. Use seafood marinara mix instead of fish. Try using thinly sliced leek instead of onion. It’s best to prepare chowder close to serving time. Note

Dukkah, an egyptian mix of herbs, nuts and spices, usually contains cumin, sesame seeds, coriander, salt, pepper and nuts, such as pistachio, almond or hazelnut. Fattoush is a Lebanese bread salad. To make garlic butter instead of buy, stir half a crushed garlic clove into 2 tablespoons soft butter. Note