Make ahead

Lavash chips can be stored in an airtight container until ready to use. Tomato dip with lavash chips makes a great lunchbox or picnic snack. You can also pack carrot, celery, or cucumber sticks to accompany the dip, if you like. Note

To make meatballs instead, roll mixture into balls. Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake in a moderate oven, 180°C, 20-25 minutes. Note

To sterilise jars, wash them in hot, soapy water, rinse well and dry in a 100°C (80°C fan-forced) oven 10 minutes. Note

Make ahead: You can make fruit mixture 4 hours ahead; keep chilled. Make ice-cream mixture up to 1 month ahead; keep frozen. Note

We used tiny boiled sweets called Bo Peeps; if you use larger boiled sweets, chop into 5mm pieces. Note

Dried apricots and cranberries are a fun addition to the classic Anzac biscuit recipe, and these sweet treats couldn't be easier to make!

You’ll need to process 2 slices day-old white bread to make crumbs. Note

Use 4 crumbled chicken stock cubes or 1 tablespoon stock powder. Chicken lovely legs are skinless drumsticks with a portion of the bone trimmed.You can use regular skinless drumsticks;cooking time will vary. Note

Save time and marinate sausages for 15 minutes. Note

You will need to soak skewers in cold water for 20 minutes prior to preparing to prevent scorching. You can use chicken or firm white fish fillets. You need to cook 1 1/2 cups white long-grain rice a day ahead. Note

Carefully separate eggs, making sure there is no trace of yolk in the egg white – egg white will not stiffen if it contains traces of egg yolk. Also, bowl and beaters must be clean and dry before beating egg white. If liquid seeps from the base, the meringue was either not cooked long enough […]

You can use ice-block moulds. Wooden ice-cream sticks are sold in craft stores. Note

With a golden cheese topping, crispy filo pastry and tender eggplant mingling with cinnamon spiced lamb, this delicious and hearty moussaka is a joy to behold when baked to perfection.

Make ahead: Prepare biscuit dough and store in fridge for up to 2 days. Note

Key lime pie has the perfect amount of tartness and creaminess with every mouthful . The perfect afternoon treat with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

No pudding basin? Use a 20cm round cake pan (line base with baking paper) or a bowl. Note

You can make pancakes ahead. Freeze between sheets of plastic food wrap. Freeze will need about 100g kumara. Note

Use a 225g packet bought coleslaw mix. You can use leftover cooked chicken or a barbecued chicken. Use baby spinach or rocket instead of cabbage. Use Caesar or ranch-style dressing instead of coleslaw dressing. Note

Use frozen potato wedges; cook as packet directs. Cooking time and price will vary. Note

These pies are a delicious mix of beef and vegetables, cooked in individual ramekins and topped with creamy, pea-filled potatoes.

Make ahead: Prepare rissoles a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Kumara is orange sweet potato. Note

Kecap manis is an Indonesian sweet soy sauce. If it’s unavailable, mix 2 tablespoons soy sauce with 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Note

Sink your teeth into these delicious bolognese pastries, complete with a flaky, golden crust and a warm, hearty beef filling.

Crepes are in the bakery and frozen food aisles of supermarkets. Note

Use a baking tray with a small rim. We used a stir-fry mix of snow peas, corn, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, carrot and water chestnuts. Note

This simple lamb and chickpea curry is incredibly delicious and is far tastier and healthier than takeaways. Serve with poppadoms to bring the taste of India into your home.

Make ahead: You can make pie up to 4 hours ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Low fat: Use reduced-fat or skim milk. We used a frozen chunky vegetable mix of cauliflower, broccoli and carrot. Choose a potato variety that’s suitable for mashing. Note

Make ahead: Brush chicken with curry paste. Cover, then refrigerate overnight. Note

This delicious recipe brings that classic Peking flavour to tender chicken breast and tosses it in a fresh, tasty salad

Quinoa is a gluten-free grain. You’ll find it in the healthfoods aisle. Note

Budget beef rump is a less expensive alternative to rump steak. Note

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

Baby pak choy has green, shaped stems and soft leaves with a mild flavour. If unavailable, use baby buk choy, which has white stalks and firmer leaves. Note

You can also cook rissoles on the barbecue. Make rissoles using pork or beef mince. Note

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

Make salad just before serving. Buy parmesan shavings in packets or from the deli counter. To make your own, use a vegetable peeler to shave pieces from a parmesan block. You can use grated or shredded parmesan instead. Note

Replace red capsicum with green capsicum. Make ahead: Prepare salad ingredients ahead, then assemble just before serving. You can use any pumpkin variety you like. Try white wine vinegar instead of white balsamic. Note

Add mint to the cooled (not hot) soup so it doesn’t discolour. Note

The ultimate lemon meringue pie recipe with a crispy base, tangy citrus centre and a fluffy meringue top makes this pie simply to die for. Serve with fluffy whipped cream.

To stop caramel sticking to the base of the pan, keep stirring while cooking. Note

Aromatic and delicious Singapore noodles with thick shredded chicken and prawns are flavoured with sweet teriyaki in this Asian stir-fry that is low-fat and low-calorie.

You can make muffins in 3 x 12-hole (2-tablespoon) mini muffin trays; cooking time will reduce to 15 minutes. You’ll find apple sauce in the chutney and sauce aisle of supermarkets. Note

Start kids in the kitchen with simple jobs, such as lining cake pans. measuring dry ingredients, choosing mixing bowls and spoons and stirring basic batters. Teach kids proper kitchen hygiene and get them to wipe clean all the work areas before preparation begins. Stay safe in the kitchen. Keep kids far away from the stove […]

Use a small quantity of crepe batter to make a “practice” crepe and to season the pan. Note

We used a frozen vegetable mix comprising peas, carrots and corn. Note

Naan is a traditional Indian bread. You’ll find it in the bread section. If you don’t have an electric stick mixer, cool soup 5 minutes, then blend or process, in batches, using a blender or food processor. Note

After adding lemon mixture, don’t boil soup; it will curdle. Note

Tuscan bean soup

Warm, hearty and packed full of goodness, this tasty bolognese and meatball pie is the ultimate comfort food. Serve it up for your family - we guarantee they'll all love it.

We used a frozen vegetable mix of com, carrot and broccoli. 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

This flavoursome and scrumptious taco beef salad served on a bed of crisp, fresh shredded lettuce, is a delicious salad and is perfect enjoyed for a quick yet satisfying lunch

To melt chocolate in the microwave, place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high (100%) in 30-second bursts, stirring, until melted and smooth. Note

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

Use any type of plain un-iced biscuits. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to shave zucchini into long, thin ribbons, or coarsely grate. Add walnuts just before serving, to give salad a nutty crunch. To transport: Carry salad and dressing separately in airtight containers. Cover and keep chilled. Place walnuts in a small, resealable food storage bag, then transport separately. Toss together just before […]

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

You’ll need to process 4 slices of day-old white bread to make 1 3/4 cups breadcrumbs. Buy fresh ricotta at the deli counter. Don’t use smooth ricotta (sold in tubs); it has a higher moisture content. Note

Prepare skewers a day ahead; cook just before serving. Note

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

Stir muffin mix until just combined; don’t overmix. A lumpy mixture is OK. For easy removal, always cool muffins in tray 5 minutes before turning out. Note

Make ahead: Prepare salad ingredients up to 3 hours ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

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

Dip pudding basin in hot water for 10 seconds before turning onto serving plate. Note