Cheese dish

Replace filo pastry with puff pastry, if desired. Replace kalamata olives with stuffed green olives, if desired. Freeze uncooked rolls for up to 3 months. Bake frozen; cooking time will vary. Note

Big flavour comes in small sizes

Risoni is rice-shaped pasta; for a slightly cheaper option, use macaroni. For best results, make just before serving. Note

You can easily double mixture to serve 4. Note

Press the pastry well into sides of pan, and then press the join in the pastry, to seal it. Note

Omit bacon. Add a 185g can of drained flaked tuna Note

Try other vegetables, such as pumpkin, zucchini or green beans, if you like. Note

Make ahead: For best results, bake ricotta a day ahead. Cover with plastic food wrap; chill until required. Stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. This dish is a tasty addition to an antipasto platter. Note

Paneer is firm ricotta-style Indian cheese and can also be bought at supermarkets. Replace cream with coconut milk. Note

Use any flavoured coating mix. Freeze croquettes for up to 3 months. Note

Use bought guacamole dip. The price will vary. Swap the flour tortillas for gluten-free wraps. For meat lovers, use 400g browned beef mince instead of kidney beans. Note

Uncrumbed beef schnitzel steaks are also known as beef ‘sizzle steaks’ in supermarkets. Note

You can use any type of filled pasta. You’ll find agnolotti in the chilled fresh pasta section of any supermarket. Use kumara (orange sweet potato) instead of pumpkin. Note

No char-grill pan? Use a frying pan instead. Note

You’ll need 1 barbecued chicken, skin and bones removed. Add wholegrain mustard or peas and ham for a tasty twist. 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 […]

Panko are Japanese dried breadcrumbs, available from the Asian food aisle of supermarkets. Use packaged dried breadcrumbs; the colour and texture will vary. Note

Makes 12 Make ahead: Prepare cheesecake filling a day ahead. Cover, then chill. Reheat jam, if necessary, before brushing onto each strawberry. Note

Stand filo pastry at room temperature for 1 hour before using. Note

For best results, cook pizzas just before serving. Note

Use thickened (not coconut) cream. Note

You’ll need 6 large paper muffin cases for this recipe. Note

Use grated cheddar cheese instead of parmesan. Note

Panko are Japanese dried breadcrumbs. They’re available from the Asian food aisle of supermarkets and Asian groceries. If unavailable, you can use packaged dried breadcrumbs. Colour and texture will vary. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to shoe zucchini into long thin ribbons. Note

If feta pops out during cooking, push back into place when serving. Note

Try zucchini or green beans instead of capsicum. Canned cherry tomatoes in juice are in the canned vegetables aisle; use canned diced tomatoes if unavailable. Canned beans are packed in salty brine. Always drain and rinse the beans before you use them. You can use any variety of canned beans in place of another in […]

You’ll find basil paste in the chilled part of the fresh produce section. Or use basil pesto. To keep sausages moist, don’t pierce them before cooking. Drain full-fat sausages on paper towels after cooking. Or choose lean sausages. Note

Replace feta with fresh ricotta. Use 200g sliced cabanossi instead of cooking sausages. Note

Process 2 slices day-old bread for breadcrumbs. Note

To give the topping a crispy texture, combine the cheese with 1/2 cup of fresh bread crumbs. Note

If preferred, use 1 small barbecue chicken, skin removed and flesh shredded Leftover risotto can be shaped into rounds and baked, or tossed in flour and pan-fried to make delicious risotto cakes. Note

Chill honey syrup until same temperature as cream mixture. Reheat the syrup to serve in microwave. Note

To reduce fat, arrange chicken on a baking tray and spray with oil. Bake in a moderate oven, 180°C, 20-25 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Note

This freezes well, so for easy serving, cut in wedges and wrap and freeze as portions. Note

You can use other cheeses, like gruyere and swiss cheese. Note

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

If desired, place under a hot grill during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a crisper result. Toss a few dry breadcrumbs through the cheese for extra crunch. 425g can tuna can be used in place of salmon. Note

This fluffy omelette souffl� gets its airy lift from beaten eggwhites. It emerges from the oven puffy with a lightly browned, cheesy dome top, which is great for brunch or a light supper.

Light versions of dairy products can be used if preferred. Note

You can use a can of diced tomatoes, a little red wine and some dried mixed herbs in place of the pasta sauce. Note

If you prefer a cheesy bechamel sauce, add 1/4 cup grated parmesan or tasty cheese to sauce while still hot, and stir until melted. Note

To decorate, cut a snowflake stencil from baking paper. Place on top of pie and dust with Milo or cocoa. Then carefully remove the stencil and serve. You could also decorate it with a homemade wire star with beads threaded onto it, as shown. Note

For quick cooking, place 1 cup long-grain rice in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 cups water. Cover and cook 5 minutes on high (100%) power, followed by 7 minutes on medium (50%). Stand 3 minutes. Note

The biscuit bases will harden on cooling. Note

Before combining the filling ingredients, place ricotta in a sieve to drain for 10-15 minutes. If preferred, cut into 1cm pieces, for great finger food. MAKES 16 Note

Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the sauce for added crunch. Note

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is high in protein, gluten-free and quick to cook. Note

These delicious croquettes are the perfect way to use up that leftover Christmas ham. Serve with sweet chilli sauce and throw to together a salad with whatever you have on hand

While baking the tomatoes, add some sliced zucchini or eggplant drizzled with olive oil. They make a delicious addition to the dish. Note

To preserve uncoated labne, prepare up to the end of Step 2. Place in a sterilised jar with sprigs of herbs, sliced garlic and chilli. Pour enough oil over to cover. Seal and store in fridge for up to 1 week. Note

Allowing the cheesecake to cool in a turned-off oven helps prevent cracking. Note

Remove cherry stones by using the tip of a cherry pitter, or by slicing off cheeks and ends. Note

You will need a 250g packet of sponge fingers for this recipe. Note

Try wedges of camembert or brie in place of mozzarella. Note

Store in an airtight container. Best made on the day of eating. Makes 16 Note

For a tasty fruit and nut version of this roll, simply add 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots to the cheese mixture. Note

Garlic sourdough topped with prosciutto, vine-ripened tomatoes and melted buffalo mozzarella is the basis of an incredibly delicious Italian lunch melt that�s grilled to perfection.

Leatherjacket has beautiful, delicate flesh. Ask your fishmonger to fillet the fish, if you prefer. Note

Replace lemon zest with orange zest. Note