BBQ or grill

Sichuan peppercorns are in the Asian foods section of most supermarkets, or in Asian grocery stores. It’s important to use firm tofu for this recipe. To prevent bamboo skewers scorching during cooking, soak them in cold water for 20 minutes before using. No mortar and pestle? Use a small food processor, spice grinder or crush […]

Try slicing the cabbage on a V-slicer or using a food processor fitted with the slicing blade. Note

Use bamboo skewers instead of rosemary. Make ahead: You can prepare an hour ahead; keep, covered, in the fridge. Cook just before serving. Add different vegetables, such as zucchini and capsicum. Note

For maximum flavour, marinate chicken a day ahead; keep covered in the fridge. Note

Replace tarragon with fresh parsley. Don’t overcook pork or it will be tough. The syrup mixture caramelises very quickly, so wait until the end of cooking to pour over pork. Note

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

To prevent sauce splitting, add lemon juice to hot dairy spread mixture just before serving. Note

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

Use a mandolin to slice the cabbage and apple thinly. If you don’t want to barbecue, you can pan-fry the sausages. Boil, steam or microwave potatoes until tender, then toss into salad with walnuts. Note

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

You can cook 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice instead of using microwave rice. Soak wooden skewers in cold water for 30 minutes to prevent burning while cooking. Note

To prevent bamboo skewers scorching during cooking, soak them in cold water for 20 minutes before using. Note

Make Moroccan burgers instead. Swap Moroccan spice mix for Mexican chilli powder, store-bought hummus for salsa, Greek-style natural yogurt for sour cream and sliced Lebanese cucumber for avocado. Make ahead: Marinate chicken in Mexican chilli powder a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to cut cucumber into long thin ribbons. Note

Lamb steaks are chargrilled to perfection and served atop a bed of quinoa with roasted cherry tomatoes and an Italian balsamic dressing

You can use any type of canned beans. Balsamic vinegar also works well in this recipe. Note

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

Moroccan spice mix is in the spice aisle. Use Mexican, Tuscan or pepper steak mix if unavailable. You can marinate the lamb in spice mix a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Chicken also works well in this recipe. Note

Beef minute steak, also known as barbecue steak, is thin scotch fillet or porterhouse steak pounded to 1cm thickness. Try chicken tenderloins or lamb leg steak instead of beef. Reduce fat: Use light sour cream. Note

Pressing tofu between paper towels removes excess moisture; this prevents it going soggy when cooked and gives an extra-crisp coating. Buy piri piri seasoning in the spice aisle of supermarkets; adjust quantity according to taste. Note

Place pizza trays on wire racks (or clean, empty cans) during cooking; this helps ensure bases don’t burn. No covered barbecue? Cook pizzas in an oven preheated to 220°C/200°C fan forced. Cooking time may vary. Make ahead: Make mince mixture a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

Choose prepared lamb patties from the frozen food section of your supermarket or the butchery. Note

Make ahead: Marinate chicken a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate until needed To prevent bamboo skewers scorching, soak them in cold water for 20 minutes before preparing. Note

This light and fresh salad makes for a quick, healthy dinner after a weekend of indulging.

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

Make salad just before serving. Note

Pulled pork takes time to prepare due to the long, slow cooking process. So while the grill is crowded with sausages and steaks, use the oven to prepare this.

Makes 8 Buy beef mince that has a little fat to erasure meatballs remain tender and juicy when cooked. When shaping meatballs, firmly roll to release air bubbles so they don’t fall off skewers. Use a vegetable peeler to cut carrot into long 3mm-thick strips. Save time: Slice carrot into rounds instead. Note

Makes 12 Bamboo skewers: To prevent scorching, soak in cold water for 20 minutes before threading. Note

Fajitas with grilled chicken tenderloins and fresh homemade tomato salsa are great to share with family and friends. Expect a very sociable communal dinner.

Buy fresh cleaned calamari hoods from the seafood counter or fish shops; frozen may also be available. If you have time, marinate calamari for 1 hour. To avoid tough calamari, barbecue it until just cooked. Swap calamari for baby octopus. Note

You’ll need 8 bamboo or metal skewers. Lamb rump is great in this, too. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to make long thin ribbons of carrot and cucumber. Note

To prevent bamboo skewers scorching during cooking, soak them in cold water for 20 minutes before adding food. You’ll need 12 skewers. When char-grilling, preheat pan to smoking hot. Add chicken; turn when it no longer sticks to pan. Reduce fat and use cooking oil spray rather than brushing food with oil. Because curries contain […]

You’ll need 8 skewers. To prevent bamboo skewers scorching during cooking, soak them in cold water for 20 minutes before using. To get more juice from a lime, use your palm to roll it back and forth on the kitchen bench before juicing. Buy limes in season, then freeze the juice in ice-cube trays. Store […]

Serve with bacon or sausages. Replace chives with basil, parsley or green onions. Egg-white omelets are best made just before serving. For perfectly round omelets, cook them in oiled egg rings or a 7cm round cookie cutter. Note

If time allows, marinate chicken for up to 1 hour. Note

Use rump steak instead of scotch fillet. Use a mixture of cauliflower and broccoli. No kale? Use silverbeet instead. Note

Swap lime juice for lemon juice or white vinegar. You can use lamb leg steaks instead of cutlets. Cooking time will vary. Note

To prevent bamboo skewers scorching during cooking, soak them in cold water for 20 minutes before threading; you’ll need 8. Note

You can serve this salsa as a dip with corn chips, or as a side to barbecued fishand barbecued chicken. Try it also in a Mexican wrap with grilled beef. Note

Slice eggplant just before cooking or it will oxidize and go brown. Note

Try zucchini or green beans instead of capsicum. Canned cherry tomatoes in juice are in the canned vegetables aisle; use canned diced tomatoes if unavailable. Canned beans are packed in salty brine. Always drain and rinse the beans before you use them. You can use any variety of canned beans in place of another in […]

For a less smoky taste, replace half the smoked paprika with mild paprika. Note

You can omit oil and use cooking oil spray on bread instead. Note

If necessary, you can double the number of spatchcocks used, without increasing the marinade. Parboil chunks of potatoes, drain and toss in oil and seasonings. Char-grill for 4-5 minutes, turning, until golden and cooked through. Note

You can make fresh breadcrumbs by processing chunks of day-old bread. Note

Lamb fillets can be used in place of back straps. Note

To prepare your own char-grilled eggplant, brush slices with oil and char-grill for 2-3 minutes each side until tender. To char-grill capsicum, cut into four, remove all the seeds, and char-grill skin side down until blackened and tender. Place pieces in a seated plastic bag for 5 minutes. You should then be able to easily […]

Palm sugar is made from the sap of the sugar palm tree. Sold in hard large or small discs, it can be found in the Asian section of most supermarkets. It unavailable, substitute brown sugar. Note

Make your own guacamole by mashing 2 peeled and seeded avocados with 1 small, diced red onion, juice of 1 lime and 1/2 cup chopped coriander. Season to taste. Note

If preferred, sear the chicken on both sides then place on a baking tray and bake at 180°C for 10-15 minutes to cook through. Note

If liked add some crumbled feta to the salad. Patties can also be cooked in a frying pan on medium. Note

These chargrilled lamb kebabs are perfect for summer barbecues. With grape tomatoes and onion this is the perfect recipe to keep up your sleeve. Serve kebabs on a bed of herbed couscous.

These lamb kebabs are great for the barbecue. Keep this tasty and easy spiced lamb kebabs recipe with herbed couscous up your sleeve for when friends or family pop around.

Parsley can be used as an alternative to thyme. Note

For medium or well-done steaks, move meat to a cooler part of the barbecue (or turn down heat) and cook for a further 2-3 minutes each side for medium and 4-6 minutes for well done, basting throughout. Note

Toast almonds by tossing in a dry frying pan on high heat until golden. Note

Soak skewers in a dish of water for 20 minutes before threading to prevent scorching. Note

Lamb can be replaced with chicken. Add crumbled feta cheese to the salad if desired. Note

Larger ribs may need to finish cooking in a moderate oven, 180°C. Note

If preferred use sliced chicken thigh fillets or breast fillets. Note

Seared and marinated beef is served atop crisp lettuce and cucumber in this salad bursting with fresh Thai flavours. Healthy eating is simple with this Asian-inspired beef salad.

Light versions of dairy products can be used if preferred. Note

Bread flour and 00 flour (high-gluten flours) are both suitable. They’ re found in the baking section of large supermarkets. Note

Do not over-fill squid hoods or they will split during cooking. Leave about 1cm at the top to easily secure each hood with a toothpick. Note

The longer the turkey is marinated, the better the flavour will be. Note

Find char-sui sauce in the Asian foods section of the supermarket. Prepare them up to 1 day in advance and keep chilled before cooking. You can also score the wings in a couple of places to help marinade to penetrate. Note

If preferred, these may be cooked in a preheated oven, at 180°C, for 15-20 minutes. Note

A combination of prawns and scallops is also delicious. Don’t overcook shellfish as it becomes tough and dry. Note