Summer

Use nectarines or mangoes, or a mixture of cold Christmas meats in the salad, if preferred. Note

You could replace the preserved lemon with the grated rind of a fresh lemon. Serve this dish with bread to mop up the sauce or couscous. Remove the skin from the chicken to reduce the fat content, or use breast pieces only. Note

You can make pesto up to 3 days ahead, store, covered, in the fridge. Note

Inexpensive bamboo steaming baskets are sofa in various sizes in Asian grocery stores. Or use metal steamers, available from kitchen shops. Serve steak on toasted multigrain bread; nutrition count will vary. Note

Finishing chicken in the oven helps prevent crumb coating burning and keeps chicken moist. You will need to process 6 slices of day-old white bread to make crumbs. Note

Use chicken thigh fillets. You’ll need to cook 1 1/3 cups basmati rice. Use a 250g packet microwave rice; heat as packet directs, then cool slightly. Note

For extra-thick ham steaks, buy a boneless mini ham, then cut steaks to desired thickness; cooking time will vary. Note

After washing the strawberries, remove ‘hull’ by grasping and gently pulling. Never do this before washing the strawberries. Note

This would also be delicious with prepared green prawns. Prepare the salad ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Note

Chicken pieces can be used instead. Soak skewers in warm water for 20 minutes to prevent them from scorching during cooking. Note

This can also be made with a combination of sliced stone fruit and other sliced cold Christmas meat. Make dressing in the screw top jar and chill any leftover for later use. Note

These vegetables are readily available from supermarkets, in jars or from the deli section. Croutons can be made ahead of time. Note

Tasty and hearty steak sandwich layered with caramelised onions, grilled tomatoes and barbecue sauce makes the perfect meal for a Saturday night in or during barbecue season.

Zest up the mayonnaise with a squeeze of lemon and a little crushed garlic. Note

This bright and zesty salad will tickle your taste buds. Smoked chicken and asparagus salad with a buttermilk dressing makes a great lunch or light dinner.

This thick, creamy and utterly delicious watermelon and berry frappe is a great way to start your day, or to reach for as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Naturally sweet and enlivened by a shot of lime.

Prawns are packed with protein, a good source of omega 3 fatty acids and a delicious way to increase your intake of iron, zinc and vitamin E. Try these prawns with fennel salad and mustard dressing, alfresco style.

Make the most of summer asparagus with this quick and easy gluten-free frittata. You could also add a handful of thinly sliced swiss brown mushrooms when you cook the asparagus - the opportunities are endless!

Not only are these Italian-style lamb cutlets served with mediterranean vegetables packed full of vitamins, they are a one pot dish. Win, win.

This dessert is a feast for the eyes and the mouth. Sorbets are deceptively easy to make, but never fail to impress. These tropical flavoured, brightly coloured versions are particularly splendid.

Bring a burst of colour and light, fresh flavour to your dinner party table with this prawn ravioli and mint and pea puree. There will be some fancy finger work involved but just look at this delightful result.

Make the most of alfresco dining with this simple and healthy chilli prawn salad with noodles. It is packed full of the fresh, distinctive flavours of Asia and makes a healthy and delicious light lunch or supper.

This lemon curd crepe cake is a deliciously sophisticated version of pancakes with lemon and sugar. Be sure to cook the curd gently over simmering water, and don't let the bowl touch the base of the pan.

Surprisingly, the humble artichoke is part of the thistle family. Served here topped with chopped pine nuts and fresh chervil, with a tomato vinaigrette, they'll make a sophisticated, mouth-watering appetiser at your next dinner party.

You can whip up these Asian fish patties in no time. Served with a sweet chilli dipping sauce, they are sure to please even the fussiest of eaters. We've used blue-eye, but any firm white fish will do.

Named after the Russian ballerina, the pavlova is a familiar and well loved Antipodean dessert. You can experiment with all kinds of fruit toppings, but berries and cream is always a winner.

A more sophisticated cousin of fish-n-chips and mushy peas, this seared ocean trout and potato smash with pea and mint salsa is simple to prepare, and a healthy and delicious way to increase your oily fish intake.

Scoff your way through these delicious white wine and garlic mussels to find a tasty broth at the bottom. Keep the shell, still hinged, from the first mussel you eat and use this to remove the remaining mussels from their shells.

Clafoutis is a traditional French baked dessert, often made with cherries. We've used the best of in-season summer berries in this recipe, but any combination of berries would be equally delicious.

Give your hot summer nights a grown up and boozy twist with these fun elderflower cranberry infused vodka ice-pops.

These traditional Vietnamese rice paper rolls (gỏi cuốn) are a fresh and healthy option to share with family and friends. Served alongside the classic dipping sauce, they'll be gone in no time.

Try these prawns with chilli, coriander and lime butter for a refreshing twist on this Aussie seafood staple. It works beautifully as a starter or even as a main, along with fresh, crusty bread.

Drizzled with a herby lemon dressing and scattered with toasted pecans, this salad is a wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of spring.

One of the true classics from cocktail history, a Tom Collins is a gin based cocktail spiked with lemon, sweetened with sugar and finished off with a maraschino cherry.

This prawn and sweet chilli salad ticks all the boxes. It's full of fresh and healthy ingredients, it looks beautiful on the plate and it is full of those zingy Asian flavours that compliment seafood so well.

If you're looking to give your vanilla ice-cream a little lift, look no further than these chocolate hazelnut ice-cream cones. Just 10 minutes with a few ingredients and you can create something very special.

Not suitable to freeze. Cavalo nero suitable to microwave. This recipe is also delicious with white fish, chicken breast or thin steaks. You can use black or green tapenade or substitute good quality basil or rocket pesto. Cavalo nero doesn’t lose volume like spinach or silverbeet, though either of these can be substituted if cavalo […]

You need to buy a 1.5kg piece of watermelon to get the amount of chopped watermelon needed for this recipe. Note

Seafood salad does not have to be accompanied by mounds of mayonnaise. Try our prawn, scallop and asparagus salad with ginger dressing for a light, fresh and zingy alternative. For best results, serve with a crisp chardonnay.

Add a little spice to your fish dishes with these fun fish tacos. Adjust the cayenne pepper to suit your family's heat threshold and enjoy with fresh 'slaw and avocado cream. Ling, blue-eye, coral trout, or mahi maui are fine to use.

Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta; you could substitute penne, farfalle (bow ties) or any other short pasta for the orzo. Orzo may be referred to as risoni, although this tends to be a slightly smaller pasta. Note

This delicious coffee granita is super easy to make, but is a beautifully cooling dessert which is perfect for entertaining guests.

Celebrate summer with this refreshing, delicious cocktail.

This healthy Lebanese-inspired falafel platter is absolutely mouth-watering served with a summery heirloom tomato salad and pita breads.

The chilli-infused vodka is also very good with lemonade and crushed coriander roots. Chilli-infused vodka can be made up to 1 month ahead. Watermelon juice separates on standing so this recipe is best made close to serving. For a quick cocktail, replace the sugar syrup and soda water with 2 cups (500ml) lemonade. Note

You will need about 2 limes for this recipe. Note

One taste of this rich and flavoursome antioxidant rich tomato soup and you'll never want the canned version again. Serve with plenty of crusty bread to mop up every last drop.

Celebrate spring with this zesty, flavour-packed risotto.

Served with grilled sourdough, this colourful dish makes a stunning, summery appetiser or lunch.

Sweet, juicy peaches are beautiful served atop this golden, crumbly almond tart. Sprinkle with some icing sugar for a quick and tasty baked dessert.

Enjoy this easy barbecue dish with its punchy flavours of lime, wasabi and chilli.

Baked risotto is a delicious alternative to the usual hand-stirred risotto (and a lot easier, too!)

This moreish pasta dish is ideal for a family lunch or quick mid-week dinner.

The fresh flavours of Vietnam make this plump prawn and crisp cucumber salad an utterly delightful dish.

Shell pasta, or conchiglie, is available in 3 sizes. In addition to the medium shell we used here, there is a smaller shell called conchigliette, which makes a great addition to soups, and a larger shell, called conchiglioni, which is usually served stuffed and baked. Note

This lemony pasta dish is just the ticket for a speedy, comforting meal.

Sparkling wine and fresh peaches are combined to make this decadent summer dessert.

These herby, juicy stuffed tomatoes make a fantastic side dish.

Honey & banana ice-blocks

If you would like to make your own delicious pastry cases, see the recipe for pastry in blueberry apple crumbles. Note

Celebrate the warmer weather with this light, herby salad topped with goat's cheese and spiced almonds.

This light, fresh and flavoursome dish is perfect as a starter or finger food for dinner parties.

Marinated in garlic, lemon and Greek oregano, this barbecued octopus dish is lip-smackingly good.

Crunchy, fruity and spicy, this black bean and mango salsa is gorgeous paired with fish.

Celebrate summer with this beautiful, light asparagus tempura drizzled in a herby vinaigrette.

You could add white rum to this delicious passionfruit sparkler to make a refreshing party punch if you like.

Cranberry and lime cocktail, berry recipe, brought to you by Australian Women's Weekly

Draped in melted chocolate and frozen, this incredible mixed fruit ice-cream pudding is perfect for a summer Christmas.

The combination of fresh barbecued squid and salty squid works so well together, you'll be surprised you haven't tried it earlier! Serve with crusty toast and a fresh olive dressing for an ultimate flavour kick.

This marshmallow-textured pavlova is cooked directly on the platter it's served on, which eliminates the risk of breaking the fragile meringue when transferring it. Simply make sure the platter is plain, sturdy and ovenproof.

We used a baguette for the garlic toast. If making this dish a few hours ahead, combine ingredients, except for cucumber, in large bowl; toss cucumber through just before serving. The longer the salmon marinates with the lime, the more 'cooked' it will be.

For a delightful summer dessert, try these stacks of boozy cream, juicy strawberries and crisp brandy snaps drizzled with passionfruit.

We used butter beans for this recipe, but you can use any white beans. Note

What a refreshing way to hydrate and contribute to your five-a-day target. You can experiment with all sorts of fruit, and mint goes with just about anything.

This delicious salad is best made and assembled the day you are going to eat it; it can be made in the morning if you are going to be enjoying it for lunch.

Serve with more fresh berries, if you like.