Summer

Beat the Christmas rush with Alexa Johnston’s delicious make-ahead gifts.

Raid the strawberry patch, take the ripest, freshest, reddest berries, mix them with sugar and cream, perhaps a little alcohol, a little citrus zest, and create desserts that will send everyone into raptures

Stylish and delicious, these sweet treats by Jordan Rondel are full of goodness and free of gluten

Raid the strawberry patch, take the ripest, freshest, reddest berries, mix them with sugar and cream, perhaps a little alcohol, a little citrus zest, and create desserts that will send everyone into raptures

Raid the strawberry patch, take the ripest, freshest, reddest berries, mix them with sugar and cream, perhaps a little alcohol, a little citrus zest, and create desserts that will send everyone into raptures

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!

Must be made at least six hours ahead. Not suitable to freeze. Suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Cool, fruity and refreshing, this beautiful pomegranate cosmopolitan is perfect for a night out with your friends or relaxing afternoon drinks on a hot Summer's evening.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Berries suitable to microwave. Note

Use any firm white fish of choice -try tuna, ling or perch. This would also be delicious with prawns or mixed seafood. Note

Make this pudding in one large mould. Replace the grand marnier with brandy, if desired. Note

Heat a large saucepan of boiling, salted water. Add broccolini and cook for about 3 minutes or until just tender, then drain. If you like, toss with a little olive oil and lemon juice. Note

Pina colada

Make sure your cake pan is at least the same circumference as the top of your pudding basin, to ensure the ice-cream sits flush on the cake. If you have a blowtorch, you can use it to brown the meringue instead of baking it. Store cooled sponge wrapped in baking paper and plastic wrap in […]

To dice the mango, cut the cheeks from each side of the pit. Using a large spoon, scoop the flesh from the skin of each half. Slice the flesh first horizontally then vertically to dice. Don’t waste the flesh left on the pit – eat it Aussie style and let the juice drip down your […]

Requires ice-cream moulds and sticks. Note

Roll out Luca Villari’s sensational small plates for a relaxed afternoon in the sunshine with friends

Roll out Luca Villari’s sensational small plates for a relaxed afternoon in the sunshine with friends

The noodles stick together: The key to perfectly cooked rice vermicelli is to rinse the cooked noodles in a colander just until they are cool. At the same time, use your hands to separate the noodles, then drain well. Note

Barbecue baby octopus pizzas brought to you by Real Living

Barbecue lemon prawns with char-grilled avocado panzanella salad brought to you by Real Living

If you can, buy live crabs from a fish market – the claws will be tied for your safety. Refrigerate the crab to put it to sleep and cook it that very day. Otherwise, already-killed uncooked blue swimmer crabs are available at fishmongers for about $30 a kilo. Don’t buy cooked crab for this recipe […]

Use store-bought tabouli if you prefer. Note

If fresh peaches aren’t in season, simply use eight halves of the canned variety. Note

An under-ripe mango adds an element of fresh and summery sweetness to this Aussie classic. Note

This easy Thai beef salad recipe is ready in a flash and is super-healthy with the addition of spinach, cucumber, capsicum and fresh herbs. Don't forget the chilli hit!

A quick, easy and gorgeous berry crumble.

When making collar, fold baking paper so collar is double thickness; this will give the souffle more support when setting. Note

Bbq baby octopus pizzas

Bbq lemon prawns with char-grilled avocado panzanella salad

To scald milk, heat in a saucepan on low heat; simmer until almost boiling. Note

Serve with warm pita bread instead of potato if you like. Note

You can use canned beans instead of lentils. Kumara is orange sweet potato. Note

Cut any leftover ginger into 2cm lengths; freeze in an airtight container. Chill leftover oyster sauce to use later in stir-fries. Note

You’ll need to cook about 1 1/2 cups rice. Rice is best cooked a day ahead; spread on a shallow tray and store in fridge. Note

For salad, use either white rice or wild rice blend; reduce cooking time according to packet instructions. Use any firm white fish fillet, such as snapper, ling or barramundi. Don’t leave fish to marinate in the lemon mixture; the acid in the lemon will start to cook the fish white standing. Note

Buy lamb in bulk. Use loin chops. Replace lamb with grilled chicken. Chop herbs just before use. Note

Sauce must be fairly thick or turnovers will become soggy on standing. Replace fish with chopped chicken breast fillet, if liked. Note

For best results, use thickened cream. Don’t wash the strawberries; wipe with a paper towel instead. Use eating chocolate ( not melts) for dipping strawberries Note

Make hazelnut toffee a day ahead. Store intact in an airtight container; crush just before layering. Note

Dukkah, an egyptian mix of herbs, nuts and spices, usually contains cumin, sesame seeds, coriander, salt, pepper and nuts, such as pistachio, almond or hazelnut. Fattoush is a Lebanese bread salad. To make garlic butter instead of buy, stir half a crushed garlic clove into 2 tablespoons soft butter. Note

You will need 3 passionfruit to make 1/4 cup pulp. If ice block moulds are unavailable, double the recipe and freeze in a plastic food wrap-lined loaf pan for 6 hours or overnight. Scoop to serve. Note

The syrup is also good with banana and seedless grapes. Note

You will need about one-quarter of a small watermelon for this recipe. Use fresh berries such as strawberries instead of watermelon. Double recipe and layer in a large glass serving bowl. Note

You’ll need 2 passionfruit. Note

Julie Biuso creates a midweek masterpiece for your dinner table

You can easily turn this into a vegetarian main meal; replace chicken with 4 sliced, hard-boiled eggs and add cubes of cheddar cheese. Note

Buy the tabouli to save time. Note

Make ahead You can make ice-cream up to 3 days ahead; keep, covered, in the freezer. For easy scooping, remove ice-cream from freezer 10 minutes before you’re ready to serve. Note

You can substitute regular puff pastry and use white sugar or brown sugar instead of demerara. Add finely chopped pistachios to filling. Once thawed, uncooked pastry cannot be refrozen. Note

Prepare eggplant several hours ahead; cook just before serving. Try currants and ground cumin in the couscous. Note

You can replace prawns with white boneless fish. Note

If you can’t find white chocolate topping, you can use sweetened condensed milk instead. If you’re making this for children, you can use decaf coffee instead. Note

Make ahead: Prepare patties a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. If time permits, refrigerate patties for 30 minutes before frying. This helps them hold their shape. Try tuna instead of salmon. Note

They don't call it a classic for nothing. This Italian spaghetti dish is so effortless and simple yet so delicious you'll soon see why it's such a staple.

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

Mexican food is hot, hot, hot! Surrender to its exotic flavours – sweet, sharp, smoky, hot, fragrant and fruity, sometimes all together on the one plate

A quick meal or snack doesn’t get any easier than these vege-packed fritters

Mexican food is hot, hot, hot! Surrender to its exotic flavours – sweet, sharp, smoky, hot, fragrant and fruity, sometimes all together on the one plate

A quick meal or snack doesn’t get any easier than these vege-packed fritters