Quick and Easy

Eggplants are especially delicious fried. These indulgent eggplant fingers with homemade aioli are sure to go down a treat and are an alternative to regular potato fries.

makes about 20 Note

makes 24 If the weather is hot, wrap dough in plastic wrap and chilli until easy to handle Note

Camembert or brie, with sliced smoked salmon and a touch of lemon juice can be used instead of blue cheese if preferred. Note

Sealing the steaks first, for 2-3 minutes on each side, keeps juices in, and resting the meat lets them be reabsorbed. Note

makes about 32 You can make this slice up to a week in advance. Store in an airtight container. Note

Biscuits will be soft when removed from oven. They become crisp when cooled completely. Note

Add some chopped bacon or pancetta and crushed garlic to the pan with the onion if desired. Note

Ocean trout fillets can be used in place of salmon, if preferred. Note

Seasoned flour is plain flour with added seasoning to taste. Make breadcrumbs by placing day-old bread in a food processor and processing until finely chopped. This may be frozen until required. Note

You can use shredded barbecue chicken in place of the duck. Keep it warm in a slow oven, 150°C. Note

Be careful not to over-mix the batter will or your muffins will be dry and rubbery. Use milk in place of buttermilk, if preferred. Note

You need about 3/4 cup drained crushed pineapple. Note

We served this dish with a salad made with chunks of tomato, cucumber and onion, plus roughly chopped mint and parsley. Season to taste and toss with equal amounts of lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil. Note

Curry leaves are available from Asian stores or the fresh vegies section in most supermarkets. Note

These chargrilled lamb kebabs are perfect for summer barbecues. With grape tomatoes and onion this is the perfect recipe to keep up your sleeve. Serve kebabs on a bed of herbed couscous.

Substitute dried apricots for any other dried fruit of choice. Note

To “fold” means to mix liquid or dry ingredients with a gentle lifting motion, rather than beating vigorously. This helps produce a tender cake. Note

Banana chillies are large, sweet and mild. Most supermarkets stock them, or use capsicum. Note

Meatballs will firm on chilling, which helps to prevent them from breaking up during cooking. Note

It’s important to cook the mince patties all the way through – never serve them pink in the middle. Note

You could also bake these close together on a baking tray. Make them ahead of time and freeze. Note

makes 24 USe a wide-bladed vegetable peeler to cut cucumber strips. Cut into pieces, then fold in half to place on patties. Note

Mixed bean salad is one of those quintessential summer picnic foods. This simple and delicious mixed bean salad is so easy to make, full of flavour and perfect as a side dish.

Make sure you add berries to mixture straight from the freezer. There is no need to defrost them. Note

If you've got 15 minutes and are looking for a delicious and simple appetiser to start off your favourite Italian meal, then this mixed bruschetta recipe is for you.

Try this fragrant Mongolian lamb stir-fry recipe from Woman's Day for a simple and tasty weeknight meal. Very thinly sliced lamb works best for this delicious Mongolian stir-fry.

Before adding spinach, place in a sieve and press out excess liquid with a spoon. Cup mushrooms are larger than button mushrooms, deeper in colour and flavour, and great for stuffing. Note

To toast coconut, toss in a dry frying pan over a medium heat until golden, then remove from pan. Note

makes about 20 Store biscuits in airtight containers – but do not freeze. Note

These soft and spicy ginger treats deserve to be rediscovered.

For the ultimate comfort food, try this tasty treat on buttered toast.

Pumpkin and feta works so well together. If you need to make a trip to the store for the dill, substitute it with whatever you have in your garden – thyme or sage works best.

Drain peach slices well on paper towel before chopping. Note

If you prefer, you can, use mild pancetta or prosciutto, as well as mild creamy blue cheese in place of goat’s cheese. For a thinner crust, try mountain bread. Note

Slice cucumber with a vegetable peeler or mandolin. Make your own melba toasts by slicing a baguette and baking in a moderate oven, 180°C, for 4-5 minutes, until crisp. Note

Pepitas are flat green seeds from pumpkins (with white hull removed). They are an excellent source of iron and zinc. They can be found in the health-food section of your supermarket. Note

This simple but delicious French-inspired beef dish is beautiful for a quick family dinner after work.

Soak skewers in a dish of water for 20 minutes before threading to prevent scorching. Note

Use a tight-fitting lid and don’t be tempted to remove it during cooking. Note

If preferred, roast pork at 200°C for 15-20 minutes until cooked to your liking. Note

Mouth-watering pork green curry features an authentic coconut and lime flavoured sauce. This quick and easy curry is best served with steamed rice and sprinkled with coriander.

For maximum flavour, score the flesh of the spatchcock before marinating. Note

This dish is the perfect way to get your seafood fix! Serve on a bed of rice noodles, topped with toasted shredded coconut for extra flavour.

You could replace the prawns in this dish with cooked crab, lobster or bugs, if you like. Note

Dressing can be made up to two days in advance and stored covered in the fridge. Note

To “butterfly” the prawns, cut along the back of the prawn, but not all the way through, and flatten like a book. Remove vein, rinse and pat dry. Eggs age more in a day at room temperature than a week in the fridge. Note

You can also make these cases using soft tortillas in place of the filo pastry. Spray with oil and press into the holes in the muffin pans. Make the cases in advance, but don’t fill them until you’re ready to eat or they’ll go soggy. Note

This can be made with pork or beef strips or green prawns instead of chicken, if preferred. Note

Fresh rice noodles are available from Asian supermarkets. Cut in lengths, unroll slightly and add straight to the wok. If unavailable, buy noodles from the refrigerated section of the supermarket. Plunge into hot water, separate, then drain before adding to the wok. Note

It is important to rest meat before carving, to allow juices to settle. Note

For extra fibre and colour, don’t peel the pears in this recipe. Note

Dress salad just before serving. Toast nuts by gently tossing in a dry frying pan for 1 minute. Note

Cooking time will depend on the size of the lamb shanks. The meat should almost be falling off the bone when they are ready. Use good-quality wine – if you can’t drink it, you shouldn’t cook with it either. Note

Lamb can be replaced with chicken. Add crumbled feta cheese to the salad if desired. Note

The small amount of mixing gives muffins their characteristic rough appearance. Note

Do not make batter until you are ready to cook the puddings. Put them into a hot oven. Puddings will deflate to make a perfect case for the salsa. Note

Nutritious and incredibly scrumptious, this sausage and vegetable bake recipe is simple and easy to make. Loaded with fibre, this quick meal is very filling, creating the perfect midweek meal.

We used a mixture of button, shiitake, oyster and enoki, but you can use any varieties of mushroom you prefer. Note

You can stir-fry a selection of Asian greens in place of the eggplant and leek, if preferred. Note

These biscuits will still be soft when they’re cooked, but will harden on cooling. Note

If the strawberries are a little tart, add a dash of honey or brown sugar to the vinaigrette. Note

Add a little sugar to tomato- based dishes to cut acidity and enhance the flavour. Note

Use a citrus zester to make fine, thin shreds of zest (the coloured outer skin of citrus fruit). Just pull the zester towards you across the skin. This can then be used in recipes or as a garnish. Note

Larger ribs may need to finish cooking in a moderate oven, 180°C. Note

Toast almonds or other nuts by tossing in a dry frying pan over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes, until golden. Remove from pan immediately as they could burn with the retained heat of the pan. Note

Add some sliced barbecued steak to salad to make it a complete meal. Note

When deep frying, so not fill your pan more than about half way. Note

Use baking paper to line steamer basket. These baskets are readily available and inexpensive from Asian supermarkets. If liked reserve 5 cups cooked rice for Vegetarian Fried Rice. Store cold rice in an airtight container in fridge for two to three days. Note

Test muffins with a skewer – if it comes out clean and dry, they are cooked. These muffins are best served warm. Note

Incredibly simple and quick yet bursting with delicious flavours, this sweet and spicy chicken is bound to be a new family favourite. Serve with steamed rice and Asian greens.

If preferred use sliced chicken thigh fillets or breast fillets. Note