Capsicum

Deep fried mixed vegetables in a chickpea flour batter are coated with a selection of spices to create scrumptious classic Indian finger food that is impossible to resist

You can use red kidney beans instead of olives, if preferred. Note

Make your own dressing by whisking oil with vinegar, crushed garlic and a little mustard, or simply dress the salad with lemon juice. Note

Char-grilled vegies are sometimes cheaper at the deli counter. Note

Use bought char-grilled capsicum. Try lamb or beef fillets instead of chicken. Baby racket leaves have a slightly peppery taste. You can use baby spinach or cos leaves instead. Note

For a creamier polenta, replace half the stock with milk. Try using different colours of capsicum. Use ricotta instead of feta. Note

Use thawed frozen spinach instead of baby spinach leaves. Squeeze out excess liquid before using. Try semi-dried tomatoes instead of capsicum. No ovenproof frying pan? Cover handle with layers of foil to prevent it burning. Note

Fresh pizza bases are in the bakery aisle or the refrigerated section near the dairy goods. Use bought baba ghanoush or basil pesto instead of hummus. Note

Julie Biuso shares her crafty, clever ways to turn out fabulous meals night after night

You can use sliced chicken thigh fillets instead. You’ll find large char-grilled capsicum pieces at the deli counter of the supermarket. If unavailable, use drained capsicum in brine from the condiments aisle instead. Note

Accompany this beautifully flavoured Spanish sausage hotpot with bread and enjoy this delicious dish for a comforting and easy weeknight family meal during the cold winter months

Chop, measure and prepare all ingredients before starting to cook. Note

Pizza cheese is a combination of grated mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar cheese. Note

Fusilli is spiral pasta, but you can use any pasta shape you desire. Ratatouille is great served with chicken or beef. Note

Meat lovers: Replace butter beans with 200g cooked mince. Make ahead: Stuff capsicums up to 4 hours ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Bring to room temperature to grill. Note

We used a sweet and sour sauce that contains no vegetables; you can find it in the sauce aisle of the supermarket. You’ll need to cook about 1 cup long-grain rice. You can use pork butterfly steaks, pork chops or chicken breast fillets in this recipe. Note

Beef minute steak, also known as barbecue steak, is thin scotch fillet or porterhouse steak pounded to 1cm thickness. Try chicken tenderloins or lamb leg steak instead of beef. Reduce fat: Use light sour cream. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to shave long thin cucumber ribbons. Note

Use day-old bread of any type. Use bought croutons. Note

Makes 8 Buy beef mince that has a little fat to erasure meatballs remain tender and juicy when cooked. When shaping meatballs, firmly roll to release air bubbles so they don’t fall off skewers. Use a vegetable peeler to cut carrot into long 3mm-thick strips. Save time: Slice carrot into rounds instead. Note

To freeze, cut cooked gozleme in half. Wrap individually in foil, then in two layers of plastic food wrap. Label, date and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight. To reheat: Thaw gozleme; brush with oil. Cook in a large frying pan over moderately high heat for 1-2 minutes each side or […]

Serve bread warm or cold with soups and casseroles. Note

Use tasty cheese instead of pizza cheese. Only have one baking tray? Bake one pizza at a time. Add crisp bacon to the topping. Try baby spinach leaves instead of rocket. Note

Sun-dried tomato tapenade can be found in the oils, sauces and bottled vegetable section of your supermarket, alongside olives and pasta sauce. Note

Soak dried borlotti beans in water overnight. Drain, then cook in simmering water for 45 minutes or until tender. Drain; add to soup in Step 1 with tomatoes, stock cubes and water. Make ahead: Prepare soup, without tortellini, a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Cook tortellini while soup reheats; add as recipe directs. Dried tortellini […]

Don’t discard the baking paper used for rolling out pastry. Use one to bake pastry blind, the other to line the tray for roasting the vegetables. Quiche is cooked when a knife inserted at centre comes out clean. Note

Make ahead: Cook soup a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Smoked paprika is in the spice aisle. If unavailable, use sweet paprika. Note

Like more dumplings? Double dumpling mixture; spoon the extra 16 measures onto a baking paper-lined baking tray, then bake on bottom shelf as goulash cooks. Note

Cubes of fresh-caught tuna, and a squeeze of lemon... Luca Villari whips up this pasta dish full of flavour

You’ll need 8 skewers. Soak bamboo skewers in water before using. Note

Wash coriander roots and stems well. Use in curry pastes or stir-fries. Note

Use yellow capsicum instead of red; chopped regular roma tomato instead of mini. Note

Use baby spinach leaves or fresh herbs instead of rocket. Use any type of canned beans in this recipe. Note

Replace cured chorizo sausages with cabanossi, and swap red capsicum for green capsicum. Flavour will vary. Note

Use drained canned flaked tuna instead of slices. Swap provolone cheese for tasty cheese. Omit olives. You can buy char-grilled vegetables from the deli section. Low fat Use tuna slices in brine, and use reduced-fat tasty cheese. Note

Seasoned flour is plain flour with added seasoning’s to taste. Cook pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water 10-12 minutes, until tender. Drain well. Toss with a little butter, if desired. Note

Leftover peperonata is delicious tossed through hot pasta and served with shaved parmesan and crusty bread. Note

These are delicious served warm. To freeze, allow muffins to cool, wrap well or place in an airtight container, label and store in freezer for up to 1 month makes 12 Note

Tomato ‘passsata’ is a cooked tomato concentrate. Tomato paste can be substituted. Lebanese bread, pita bread or naan make good alternative pizza bases. Note

Perfect to share!

Turn the steaks when you see a little moisture on the surface of the uncooked side. Note

This vegetable and feta mixture is also delicious tossed through prepared couscous. Note

Pork, chicken or prawns could be used in place of beef. Note

Brought to you by Woman's Day, this stir-fry noodle dish is laced with veges and topped with roasted peanuts for extra flavour.

This delicious savoury pie is extremely easy to make -simply mix all ingredients together and bake. It's great enjoyed fresh out of the oven with a side salad, or cut up and chilled for school or work lunches.

A colourful beef, corn and capsicum salad brought to you by Woman's Day. This salad has beautiful textures and is drizzled with paprika mayonnaise.

If you are short on time, buy prepared pastry tart cases from your local supermarket or food specialty store. Note

The dressing can be added before chilling the salad. Toss noodles through just before serving. Note

Delicious Spanish food doesn't get much better than paella. This easy paella with all the spice of traditional paella provides a perfectly balanced, nutritious and flavourful meal.

If liked, use 1/2 a red and 1/2 a green capsicum. Note

You need about 1/2 cup ciabatta bread chunks. Note

To char-grill your own vegetables, thinly slice, spray with olive oil and barbecue 3-4 minutes each side; cool. Store, drizzled with olive oil, in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Note

Saute chorizo in a little oil 2-3 minutes, until beginning to brown. Drain on a paper towel and cool before adding to mixture. Note

This salad is a delicious way to use up stale bread. Make sure the bread is very crisp and dry before adding it to the salad, so it doesn’t become soggy. Note

MAKES 4 CUPS This relish is a great way to use up leftover vegetables, and is also delicious with cauliflower, chopped green beans or tomatoes. Note

If the pastry begins to crumble, chill 10 minutes. Note

Tamari is a type of soy sauce usually made without wheat. Note

Gluten-free tamari sauce is available at health food stores. Note

Golden tofu and mixed vegetable stir-fry with steamed rice makes a healthy and delicious midweek meal, with a sweet ginger-soy-garlic sauce that gives the tofu loads of flavour.

A layer of foam will form on the surface during cooking of jams. Simply skim off with a metal spoon and discard. Note

This is a good recipe for using up leftover mashed potato. Note

A nourishing and fresh beef salad with chargrilled capsicum. The beautiful textures in this salad are complemented with a tasty paprika mayonnaise.

If you prefer, you can use 350g chopped chicken thigh fillet instead of the lovely legs. Note