Less than 60 minutes

This sauce can be frozen for 3 months. Note

Labne is a soft cheese originating from the Middle-East. It’s made from strained yogurt, and is available from major supermarkets and Middle-Eastern food shops. Note

Wash the leek thoroughly under cold running water to remove any grit between the layers. Note

Substitute cashews for pistachios if you like. Also goes well with pan-fried white fish fillets; grilled beef fillets. Deglazing is the initial step in making a sauce that incorporates the browned bits sticking to the bottom of a pan in which meat has been cooked. A small amount of liquid is added to any remaining […]

Make-ahead tips 1 month Make meatballs and relish, freeze. 24 hours Thaw meatballs and relish in refrigerator overnight. Last Reheat meatballs in 180°C (160°C fan-forced) oven and relish in saucepan, or both can be reheated separately in microwave oven. Note

If using butter cream instead of vanilla frosting, you will need half a quantity of butter cream. We used a selection of small jelly beans, rainbow choc chips and M&M’s for the treasure. You will need 3 x 4-pack (460g) double chocolate chip muffins for this cake. Note

We used 2 bananas for this recipe. Keeping time: 2 days. Note

If using butter cream instead of the vanilla frosting, you will need one quantity of butter cream. Note

You will need about 1 bunch of silver beet for this recipe. Silver beet is high in non-haeme iron, which is important in a vegetarian diet. Iron from plant sources isn’t absorbed as well as haeme iron from meat. Including vitamin C either in the dish (we used lemon juice in this recipe) or with […]

With only five ingredients, all purchased easily from a supermarket, this sophisticated version of the classic bacon and egg pie is the perfect fuss-free midweek dinner. Note

You can deep-fry wontons in vegetable oil, in batches, until browned all over. Uncooked wontons are suitable to freeze, use a sheet of baking paper between each layer of wontons. There’s no need to defrost them before cooking. Serve steamed wontons either using the bamboo steamer as a tray or sit each wonton on a […]

While not as old as the Trojan horse used by the Greeks, this cake certainly has the looks of an antique rocker. Note

Speculaas are a Dutch Christmas biscuit traditionally made in wooden moulds. If you have them, dust with cornflour or flour; press dough mixture into moulds then draw a knife across the surface to scrape off excess. Turn mould over and slap hard to loosen biscuits onto oven trays. Dust mould with flour between each biscuit. […]

The crumbles can be made in individual dishes and frozen, before baking, for up to 2 months. Note

50cm-square prepared cake board. Most children love lamingtons. We’ve used a lot of them to make this spectacular pyramid ­ just watch it be devoured. Don’t forget a desert-sand coloured background. For an Egyptian-themed party have the guests come in fancy dress. Note

You need four passionfruit to get the required amount of pulp. Note

Spicy date pudding with butterscotch sauce

EQUIPMENT Deep 22cm (9-inch) square cake pan 35cm (14-inch) square cake board DECORATIONS 500g ready-made white icing pure icing (confectioners’) sugar, for dusting 2 black licorice straps chess pieces Chess has long been considered the sport of kings and aristocrats. If you have a grand master in the making, this is the cake that will […]

Labne is drained yoghurt. You can buy it from supermarkets. Roast nuts and seeds together on an oven tray (keep the cumin seeds separate on a small piece of foil), in a 180°C oven for 8 minutes, stirring half way through, or buy pre-roasted. Note

This cake is best eaten on the day it is made. It is important not to over beat this cake mixture, or the sour cream will slip to the base of the pan. Note

Wipe the pan clean with absorbent paper between each batch of pancakes so they don’t over-brown. Note

These tartlets are best made on the day of serving. Note

Skordalia is a thick dip in Greek cuisine usually made of garlic and potatoes.

While this recipe is geared for autumn, you can swap ingredients for the seasons; in spring, use broad beans instead of borlotti beans and bitter salad greens instead of radicchio.

Serve risotto quickly after stirring the radicchio through the rice, as the radicchio will discolour from the heat. This recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

Wrap the steamer lid in a clean tea towel to avoid condensation drops falling onto the custards. Cook custards in two batches if they don’t all fit in your steamer. Note

Meat filling can be prepared a day ahead. Note

This sweet red wine stew with tender beef cheeks and carrots can be made in no time with a pressure cooker.

The meatballs would also be delicious using minced turkey, lamb or beef ­ just be sure to allow a little extra cooking time. Note

It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Note

Packaged cupcakes usually come iced, however, you can ice over the top with the frosting or remove the icing. Place the muffins in matching paper cases, if you like. Note

The gherkins will lose their colour gradually during storage. This does not affect their taste or texture in any way. Note

You need to buy half a large barbecued chicken (450g) to get the amount of shredded meat required for this recipe. Note

This king of the jungle cake will be a hit with young explorers at a jungle-themed safari. If the weather is wet or humid, chop the Violet Crumble bars and position them on the cake just before the party, as the damp air will make them sticky. You’ll have about 1 cup of cake mixture […]

You need one small overripe banana (130g) for the amount of mashed banana used in this recipe. Whoopie pies are best eaten the day they are made. Note

To decorate allow for another 200 grams (6½ ounces) fresh raspberries Note

We used plain un-iced Golliwog buscuits and an Aero peppermint chocolate bar in this recipe. Creme de Menthe is a mint- flavoured liqueur. Note

This delightful gnome cake by the Australian Women's Weekly is easier than it looks! All you need is some packet mix, a variety of sweets, some food colouring, and a little creativity! Have fun!

Some butchers sell a pork and veal mince mixture. If it is not available as a mixture, buy 500g pork mince and 500g veal or beef mince. This recipe can be prepared 8 hours ahead to the end of step 6. It is best to cook the meatloaf just before serving so it retains its […]

Pepato is an Italian sheep’s milk cheese, most often pecorino, studded with peppercorns. It is available from some delicatessens and specialty cheese shops. If you can’t find it, use pecorino or parmesan cheese with a good grinding of black pepper. Note

Grapefruit probably got their name because they grow in clusters like grapes. Pink or ruby grapefruit have coral-pink flesh and shell- pink skin, and are sweeter and juicier than the yellow-skinned variety. Grenadine is a deep-red syrup based on pomegranate juice and used to both colour and sweeten desserts and drinks. Some versions of grenadine […]

Equipment 3 x 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pans 36 standard paper cases (18 yellow, 18 red) 45cm-square prepared cake board Decorations 1 Killer Python 3 snakes (2 blue, 1 green) 4 x 25g Curly Wurly bars Smarties Piping takes a little skill, practice on a flat surface before you pipe the numbers on the cakes. […]

Soft fresh goat cheese can be substituted for fetta, if desired. Note

Peppermint essence is an extract of distilled peppermint leaves Note

It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. You can use any dried fruit in place of the raisins in this recipe such as dried apricots or peaches. Note

If you cannot find doongara rice, use white long-grain rice instead. Doongara rice was developed and is grown in Australia. It’s a white, long-grain rice similar to basmati, and has a higher content of amylose (starch) than other rice, which means it is more slowly digested ­ it has a lower glycaemic index than most […]

We used a low-calorie packet of jelly crystals because we wanted the cranberry and raspberry flavour but you can use any jelly crystals you like, as long as it makes 2 cups (500ml) jelly; raspberry, port wine and cherry-flavoured jelly would all work well. Note

We used Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs available in most supermarkets. Note

To freeze; complete recipe to the end of step 3. Individually wrap slices of meatloaf in plastic wrap. Label, date and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave. Continue from step 3. You need approximately a third of a small savoy cabbage for this recipe. If you […]

This soup is great for lunch at the office or for a picnic. If a microwave is not available for reheating the soup, pack it in a preheated insulated flask. Note

Healthy, delicious and authentic Asian-style chicken and water chestnut tofu pouches.

These pork rolls are a tasty starter before a main course of fried rice or a bowl of chicken broth with rice noodles.

Allen’s Teeth and Milk Bottles can be found in packets of Allen’s Teeth `n’ Stuff and Allen’s Retro Party Mix. Note

Delicious little French croquettes with a tangy caramelised onions from Australian Women's Weekly.

Thai sticky rice (also known as glutinous' or sweet' rice) is a short, fat and chalky white rice that becomes soft and sticky once cooked.

There are many classic Chinese dishes that marry duck and sichuan pepper. In this recipe, the fresh-flavoured salad sets off the spicy union to perfection.