Dinner party

The quality of store bought meringue is excellent, and once smothered fresh blackberries, yoghurt and cream your guests won't know the difference. For a grown up version, splash a little blackberry liqueur such as crème de mûre for a boozy twist.

BLT makes for a delicious sandwich but if you’re looking to swith it up, take all those best bits (that would be the bacon, lettuce and tomato) and turn it into this pasta salad. We love this as a side dish but this is also great for lunches. Looking for other pasta salad ideas? Take […]

Burnt butter adds a gourmet edge to this delicious apple cake. Perfect for an afternoon tea-party, or just because you fancy something special on the weekend.

Spice up your beef rib roast, the king of roasts, with spiced salt and serve with roasted onions and luscious garlic mayonnaise on the side.

Bring the indulgent flavours of coffee and liquor to this truly decadent Kahlua-infused dessert.

The traditional New Zealand Christmas dinner of a perfectly glazed ham, carrots, spuds and peas followed by a berry-packed and boozily indulgent trifle is still incredibly hard to beat. Sophie Gray aces a classic boiled new potatoes with minty herb butter, perfect for summer dishes.

There's something about chocolate that most of us find hard to resist... Oh! Chocolate!

Golden meatballs and colourful vegetables tossed with sweet fried pear slices - this dish is heavenly for lunch. It's also suitable for diabetics.

NZ Pork with apple is already a marriage made in heaven - but the addition of earthy sage to this mixed meatloaf, wrapped with prosciutto and brushed with apple jelly, takes it to a new level.

Ricotta, a fabulously versatile cheese with a mild flavour and creamy texture, is used extensively in Italian desserts. Here, it's the star of our beautiful coffee hazelnut cake, acting as a silky filling between layers.

Simply throw in a couple of smoked mussels into Nici Wickes' fish stew recipe to add a delicious smoky flavour! Serve with crusty bread to mop up the juices for an easy crowd-pleasing lunch or dinner

Love rosé? This incredible cake recipe is a must-try! A decadent brownie base is topped with sparkling moscato rosé and berry jelly to create a simple yet sophisticated dessert that's super impressive!

Eggplant...fries?! This recipe sees this meaty vegetable transformed into thick fries, coated in beer batter then fried to perfection. Serve with garlic yoghurt for a delicious vegetarian snack

Chicken liver pate can be served on toast or biscuits, with drinks or, set in small individual containers, it is a perfect first course for a dinner party.

Spiced freekeh with cucumber and garlic minted yoghurt brought to you by Australian Women's Weekly.

With swirls of Nutella and the crunch of caramelised hazelnuts, this ice-cream is set to impress and delight.

This traditional Spanish rice and seafood dish is packed full of flavour, and is beautiful enjoyed straight from the pan with a side of wine for a delicious weekend dinner.

Stuffed with mozzarella and sage, wrapped in proscuitto and drizzled with a punchy salsa verde, this roasted veal will have your family and friends raving.

A whole side of salmon makes a great Christmas treat.

This is the perfect dish if you’d rather not tackle a large joint of meat on Christmas Day. I’ve designed the recipe so that it can be scaled to suit however many people are sitting around your table.

Get your butcher to de-bone and butterfly a decent-sized pork loin, then take your time to roll it around the stuffing before roasting to perfection.

It’s no secret I love cooking any kind of meat over an open fire. An Asado Grill is a great piece of kit and loads of fun to experiment with. Marinated, smokey, tender lamb served up family style with your choice of condiments - we’ve used Dahl for this dish but you could replace with Baba Ghanoush or similar for a Middle Eastern spin. - Al Brown

I’ve always been a big fan of eating octopus and tend to order it whenever I see it on a menu. We’ve been playing around with this dish for a while and the result looks a picture, and more to the point - eats like a dream! While we’ve given you the steps to tackle the octopus prep, it can be a bit daunting so you can always ask your fishmonger to do this part for you. - Al Brown

This salad is full of flavour. Bitter greens cut through richness of the confit duck, the pear adds sweetness and the walnuts texture. While pinot noir tends to be a typical wine match for many duck dishes, we found a rose worked better with the bitter greens - perfect for a lighter summer meal. - Al Brown

Food to me is all about simplicity and generosity. A simply roasted whole fish is a pretty good example of this. Serving this dish with Huntley & Palmers Flatbread is great for added texture and mopping up all the delicious juice and flavour. Turbot can sometimes be a bit difficult to find, so any large flat fish (flounder, brill) or even the belly of a large species like kingfish or hapuka will do. - Al Brown

The size of these Raspberry & Coconut and Marmalade & Lime petite lamingtons means the ratio of sponge to delicious flavoured coating is stepped up a notch

This dish of dark puy lentils with glistening strings of roasted red tomatoes will make your summer plates picture perfect. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Lightly baked fish and zingy aioli is quite possibly the perfect summer dish. The large fillets make for easy cooking and it’s also really good the next day eaten cold. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

For a delicious taste of China, these pork mince lettuce cups are perfect starters for a family and friends gathering.

This fish-curing method is centuries old and salmon on rye with crème fraîche is a catering classic. Start preparation for this dish three days ahead. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Tender rare roast beef garnished with a deliciously flavoursome anchovy butter - the perfect dish for your next dinner party!

For the last five years, I have cooked this lasagne dish for an annual yoga retreat and it’s such a favourite that I don’t dare take it off the menu!

A colourful salad with a lot of bite!

Sweet, meltingly soft, buttery and light as air... Only the French could dream up such decadence. Surprise and delight your guests with this special occasion dessert from Julie Biuso

Hearty and tomatoey mouthwatering pastry pizzas! Easy to prepare and quick to devour, these are the ultimate dinner for all the pizza lovers out there!

This fresh tomato and preserved lemon salad is the perfect addition to your next family dinner or BBQ! Quick and simple, yet loaded with bags of flavour!

Impress your guests with these simple and delicious semi dried tomatoes! The perfect accompaniment at your next dinner party!

I love this easy variation on the original coq au vin recipe. It’s a great dish for large numbers as it can be prepared the day before and served from the large pot it’s cooked in. It needs nothing more than some bread to mop up the juices and a simple salad to refresh the palate. C’est bon!

Do you love pizza dough but find it doesn't love you back? Indulge in this gluten-free alternative- same delicious taste and texture, but full of ingredients that will agree with you!

Nuts bring a wide array of nutty, toasty and sweet flavours to dishes – think the sweet butteriness of pine nuts, the milky sweetness of fresh almonds, and the toasty coffee-like taste of roasted hazelnuts.

If you're a fan of fish pie, this smoked ocean trout quiche made with ricotta cheese, will have you fishing for more

The soft texture of brioche and the vanilla flavouring combined into the creation of a cake will provide you with a delicious cake

Transform subtle creamy ricotta into a herby, citrus delight with a colourful tangy topping.

Demonstrate your skill on the grill at your next barbecue using this show-stopper by Julie Biuso. You’ll be the talk of the ’hood!

This lamb dish has so many lovely flavours with herbs, tomato and a sprinkle of gremolata.

Any pasta dish that can be on the table in 15 minutes is worth adding to your repertoire. This contemporary dish uses crab but it would work a treat with any canned fish.

This deliciously spicy soup is packed full of creamy coconut milk, tender flaked fish and a punchy sauce to delight any dinner guests.

The unbeatable combination of antipasto veggies and salami atop a crispy, golden dough makes this pizza a dinner favourite!

Serve up this Mediterranean seafood dish for a hearty dinner. Roasted capsicum, tomato and olives are the perfect salty side to this whole snapper.

Traditional French baked savory choux pastry is mixed with cheese, asparagus and a flavoursome dijonnaise to create the most wonderful golden, crumbly gougeres.

These explosive lava cakes ooze an addictively rich stream of chocolate, rum and raisins. Delve beneath the surface if you dare.

This delicious Asian wild rice salad is packed full of fresh veggies and tossed with a zesty, fragrant dressing, perfect for a side dish at a Summer dinner party.

This lamb and rice dish is a meal in itself, or it can be served as a side dish as part of a celebration feast!

This moist and buttery tea cake, adorned with raspberries and almond flakes is a wonderful afternoon or after-dinner treat - especially with thickened cream.

Salty, crispy and golden, tender squid is fried to perfection and sprinkled with fresh coriander and chilli. This dish is often served as a tasty appetiser on Australian menus, and boasts a seafood dish even the fussiest of eaters will enjoy!

This fresh, zesty Asian salad is perfect as a side dish for a big dinner spread or add some rare beef for a complete Summer meal.

Fragrant Indian spices make this rice salad absolutely moreish. Serve it as a side dish or as a star stand-alone meal, the combination of roasted cashews, basmati rice, sweet sultanas and fresh vegetables with wow guests.

Crisp potato hides a succulent mixture of salmon and fish in this impressive pie.

Enliven these lightly baked french specialty cakes with rich coffee and luscious chocolate to leave your dinner guests totally satisfied after dessert.

Thin slices of potato crisp up to create a surprise pizza. Rosemary adds taste and chilli some spice.

Slow marinated and overnight in a sweet, lemon soy dressing, these delicious baked drumsticks make a delicious dinner that will delight the whole family.

Dress up humble mushrooms with crumbled fetta, rocket and drizzled basil then serve atop crispy italian garlic bread for a stylish appetizer.

With all the decadence of a miniature high tea treat you'll enjoy the burst of flavour these capsicum quiches provide.

With juicy sirloin steak sliced and shaken up with chinese cabbage, vegetables and a hot, fragrant sauce, this quick salad makes a statement.

These veal schnitzels soak up the tasty lemon and caper sauce providing a delicious dinner in just 18 minutes.

Nutritious and highly tasty, enjoy your perfectly cooked crispy skin salmon fillets served with braised lentils, rocket and a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Take your guests on a trip to Paris with this traditional French appetiser and two delicious dips to choose from.

Fresh, tasty and nutritious, mussels are simmered in a fragrant white wine sauce and tossed through fresh greens. Drizzled with a zesty lemon and chilli dressing, this salad is perfect served as a light lunch or dinner on a warm Summer's day.

This spinach and ham quiche is the perfect solution to any light meal - from dinner parties, suppers, picnics and even afternoon tea.

Full of leafy vegetable goodness, with juicy tomatoes, crisp spinach, hearty sausage and smooth feta, this salad is a healthy but tasty meal.

Whip up a tasty, fresh dinner in less than ten minutes that will please the whole family. Jam-packed with goodness, this Asian chicken salad is a crowd-pleaser!

Add some spice to your life with this chilli pasta, complete with olives, capers and juicy chunks of tuna.

The perfect fresh and flavoursome side for your next Asian banquet - bok choy and snow peas are steamed with Chinese mushrooms and a delicious Asian dressing.

It's hard to imagine a better combination than fresh salmon cooked to medium rare perfection and served on a bed of creamy mash potato with simmered pea mixture.

This wholesome potato soup has the robust flavours of roasted fennel and garlic paired with deliciously crisp prosciutto slices for a winter warmer sure to satisfy

Bring the flavour of Mexico to your next drinks party with this authentic spicy dip. Jalapenos, a member of the capsicum family, have quite a kick so you may want to keep this one out of reach of the kids!

These tasty morsels are perfect party food, or serve as an appetiser at your next dinner party.

If you're looking to try something a little different, then give these fritters a go. They're made with good old-fashioned cans of sardines in oil and will on the table in 10 minutes flat! Also great as finger food at a party.

Wow family and friends at your next summer dinner party with these chicken and sweet potato-like kumara skewers, brushed with a mix of sugary maple syrup. pungent mustard and sour cider vinegar. Round it out with a healthy spinach pecan salad.

Bursting with coconut and topped with fluffy icing, this is a scrumptious teatime treat.

Mint leaves enhance the freshness of this delicious tuna salad. Packed with vegetables and good quality protein, it's a wonderfully healthy lunch option!

Enliven your lunch, dinner or special occasion with this middle eastern inspired seafood dish. It features flaky freshwater fish sprinkled with ground spices and served on a bed of couscous.

This recipe combines Australia's favourite and most versatile fish with a zesty pineapple salad. A super-fresh and delicious dish that can be table-ready in under 30 minutes.

Give into temptation with this rich chocolate sensation. Forget the traditional fruity pavlova topping. Let the layer of meringue melt in your mouth while chunks of dark chocolate blend with smooth chocolate sauce and cream.

Whip up a batch of these light, tender dumplings for your family and friends. Filled with a wonderfully fragrant Asian spiced pork filling, these are perfect to serve up as a light meal or pass around at a dinner party with a zesty dipping sauce.

Crowd pleaser for teenagers or the whole family, these Asian-style pizzas are quick to make and ready in an instant!

This versatile firm dessert, made with a mixture of ricotta and sugar, combines well with many fruits - here with the sour, tart flavour of morello cherries added alongside nutty nougat and smooth yoghurt. Whip it up in advance for a festive season gathering.

Get lost in the full Mediterranean flavours of this tasty seafood tagine, complete with juicy olives and tomatoes that will burst in your mouth.

Thick, juicy porterhouse steaks are wonderful cooked to perfection and drizzled with a fragrant spicy creamy sauce. Served with sauteed bacon and brussels sprouts, this makes a winner dish.

Light, fluffy and utterly delicious, these gorgeous cauliflower and cheese souffles are wonderfully flavoursome and beautiful enjoyed with a fresh sife salad.

The spices of chilli, ginger and cumin contrast against sweet mango in this fresh duck salad, perfect for lunch or a starter at a dinner party.