EQUIPMENT Sharp knife; large saucepan with lid (or camp oven); wooden spoon Cook these delicious beans in a pot on the barbecue or campfire, or in a camp oven – a lidded pot that rests on hot coals. If you prefer you could use 500g dried cannellini beans, which have to be soaked in cold […]

Treat yourself to a cafe-worthy breakfast with these irresistibly fluffy buttermilk pancakes. Paired with fruity, creamy ricotta and drizzled in plenty of maple syrup, these pancakes are a weekend winner

Croque monsieur is a traditional French hot sandwich snack. It’s usually filled with bechamel sauce, but this version simply uses eggs to soak the bread. You can make a Croque Madame by placing a fried egg on top! Note

Frying in a combination of butter and oil gives you that yummy buttery flavor but with less risk of the butter burning. Swiss brown mushrooms have a stronger flavour than regular white mushrooms. If you don’t have four small visually appealing frying pans for the individual serves, cook the four portions in one large frying […]

Sip on a glass of non-alcoholic goodness thanks to this refreshing mocktail recipe, which is a tasty combination of grenadine, grapefruit juice, lime juice and soda water.

Serve this loaf for brunch or lunch, topped with shaved prosciutto and sliced tomato. Note

To sterilise jars, preheat oven to 120°C. Place freshly washed jars on a baking tray; heat for 30 minutes. Use while hot. This recipe was tested using a 750-watt microwave oven. If you use a higher wattage oven, cook on a tower heat setting. Note

makes 1 litre (4 cups) To test if jam has reached setting point, spoon a little onto a cold saucer and place in freezer for few minutes until cool. Run finger through jam. If surface wrinkles and jam stays in two separate portions, it’s ready. Store marmalade in a cool, dark place; refrigerate after opening. […]

Feed the masses with these easy rolls. The sauce also works well on burgers.

Make them in advance and freeze individually, then pull one out and leave to thaw overnight for the next day.

Let the bewitching aroma of baking bread fill your kitchen with this delicious, easy recipe from Alexa Johnston

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

Let the bewitching aroma of baking bread fill your kitchen with this delicious, easy recipe from Alexa Johnston

Whole star anise is available from Asian grocery stores and delis; you can use a cinnamon stick instead. You’ll need about 900g rhubarb (pre-trimmed weight). Setting point: To test if jam is ready for bottling, spoon a little onto cold saucer and freeze for a few minutes until cool. Run finger through jam. If surface […]

This recipe makes about 2/3 cup beetroot dip and 3/v cup tzatziki. Note

Use salami instead of ham. Mushrooms are high in antioxidants. Note

You can use dried fruit medley. Note

Instead of bacon, use chipolata sausages or chopped chorizo. Buy an unsliced loaf of white bread then cut into 2.5crn slices. You can use sliced sandwich bread, but it will flatten significantly when toasted in the press. No press? Cook toasties in a lightly oiled frying pan. Note

To make the hollandaise in a processor, process vinegar and egg yolks. With motor running, slowly add melted butter in a thin stream. Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Stir in parsley. Cover the surface with plastic food wrap. The fresher the eggs, the easier they are to poach. Use leftover […]

For a simple topping, combine 2 tablespoons white sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Sprinkle over porridge to serve. Try topping porridge with sliced bananas and yogurt, then drizzle with maple syrup. Note

Scrambling your eggs over low heat will keep them soft and creamy. Note

Extra-delicious with baked beans in barbecue sauce. Huevos Rancheros (Ranchers’ Eggs) is a classic Mexican breakfast dish we’ve adapted. Add a pinch of chilli powder to tomato mixture. Avocado Salsa: To avoid avocado discolouring, make salsa just before serving. Note

Chipolatas are small sausages; you can use any type of sausage you like. Note

Legumes, including canned beans, are excellent food for people with diabetes to keep in the pantry as they have a low GI. Note

Vol-au-vent is a classic dish, made with chicken in a delicious cream sauce and makes tasty finger food too. For extra flavour and colour add some freshly chopped chives to the cream.

Also delicious with smoked chicken. Note

No flameproof pan? Cover handle with foil to prevent it burning under the grill. Note

Bread absorbs liquid on standing. Note

You can replace salami with a can of tuna in oil, drained and flaked. Try a combination of potato, pumpkin and kumara. If frying pan handle isn’t flameproof, wrap in foil before placing under grill so if doesn’t burn. Note

Packed full of goodness, this light and healthy roasted potato salad is beautiful tossed with fresh tuna and hard-boiled eggs to create a delicious lunch or post workout meal.

Protect handle with foil while grilling. Note

Take fritter mixture to the picnic and cook on a preheated barbecue. Note

Fuel up your body and power through the winter with this delicious, health-boosting smoothie by Megan May

For fluffy pancakes, don’t overmix batter. Note

For a great way to use up leftover ham that is simply delicious, follow this recipe to create Croque monsieur - the gourmet French version of a toasted ham and cheese sandwich.

Egg continues to cook after it’s removed from the heat; don’t overcook or it will become “rubbery”. Replace chorizo with shaved light ham if preferred. Note

Crack eggs one by one into a glass before adding to tomato mixture. Note

Hollandaise sauce is also great served with grilled or beef steak. Try different herbs to flavour hollandaise. Recipe makes about 1/2 cup hollandaise. Note

We used gluten-free chorizo sausages; check the label as some chorizo contains gluten. Note

If necessary, thinly siice base of each cooked potato to sit flat. Soy cheese is sold in health food shops and some supermarkets. Make sure it’s dairy free. Note

For a richer padding, stir in 75g grated white chocolate. For a little crunch, top with toasted slivered or flaked almonds. Rice will absorb liquid on standing. When reheating leftovers, add a little more milk or cream to rice and stir over low heat until hot. Note

Snipping noodles makes them easier to mix through the other ingredients. Note

You can use frozen (thawed) spinach; squeeze out excess moisture before using. Best made close to serving time. Note

If preferred, use fresh croissants instead of frozen. Note

Buy large blocks of cheese; grate then freeze in resealable storage bags. Note

Enjoy eggs baked with vegies as a treat – rather than a fried, hot breakfast – to cut down fat and kilojoules. Note

Try using frozen peas instead of corn and fresh low-fat ricotta instead of feta. Adding vegetables to omelets provides extra vitamins and fibre content. Corn has a low GI. Note

This traditional hand-rolled Turkish flatbread is filled with spinach and best served with a squeeze of lemon.

Vary the filling – try pureed apple with a little cinnamon and sugar; ricotta and spinach; vegemite and low-fat cheese. Scrolls are best mode on day of serving. Note

To sterilise jars: Wash in soapy water then rinse. Place on a baking tray; heat in an oven preheated to 150°C/I30°C fan forced for 10 minutes. Setting test: Place a teaspoonful of jam on a chilled saucer; cool. Push jam with your finger; If it wrinkles, it is ready to bottle. Note

The Italian name for this tasty treat is Mozzarella in Carrozza. Instead of fresh basil leaves, try spreading bread with bought basil pesto. Note

Seed mix contains sunflower and pumpkin seeds. You can use either sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Note

This recipe replaces 1/2 cup of flour with polenta. You will need about 1 large zucchini. Note

Health bite: Use 5 egg whites instead of whole eggs. Try blueberries instead of raspberries. Note

Packed full of goodness and delicious flavours, this sausage and cheese omelette is a hearty breakfast that is sure to set your day off to a good start.

Place glasses in the freezer to chill for 5 minutes before serving. Note

To avoid overcooked, rubbery eggs, remove from heat while still creamy. Note

Strawberry crepes

Add finely chopped smoked salmon to cream mixture before baking. Note

Use the breast of a barbecued chicken. Serve topped with thinly sliced green onions. Fried shallots are available from Asian food stores and some supermarkets. Note

Use Italian-style woodfired bread or brioche if you like. This version of French toast works well as a quick and delicious dessert; serve it up with yoghurt for brunch. Serve with fresh seasonal fruit. Note

If yeast mixture doesn’t bubble after standing, discard, then start again. Note

Use sliced strawberries instead of banana. Note

Wear disposable gloves when peeling beetroot. Beetroot is a good source of folate (a B vitamin). Note

For better nutrition, use traditional rolled oats instead of instant. Use any variety of berry. You can use pie apples instead of pears. Make ahead, then enjoy either at room temperature or reheated in the oven at 180°C/160°C fan forced for 10 minutes or until warm. Note

Brown sugar will darken the colour of your chutney. For a lighter colour, use white sugar. Look for firm fruit with no soft patches for this recipe. Note

You can use leftover cooked rice. Note

Omit bacon. Add a 185g can of drained flaked tuna Note

Sprinkle tops of croissants with finely chopped hazelnuts before baking; drizzle croissants with melted chocolate. Double up: You can double recipe quantities; bake in batches. Save time: Separate pastry sheets for quick thawing. Quick snack: Freeze uncooked pastries; bake as required. Note

Gently scrub then rinse citrus fruit under warm water before preparing. You can freeze strips of citrus peel and portions of juice. Note

Turn The Tables - Make magic out of your pantry staples and transform the classics. Embrace what’s in your cupboards – that tin of beans or soup can be added to a classic recipe and, with a few twists, you can create amazing new menus.