You’ll need about 3 lemons. You can use orange or lime instead of lemon. Note

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

Rub hot toasted hazelnuts in a clean tea-towel to remove skin. You can assemble cake up to 6 hours ahead. Spread with chocolate sauce just before serving. Note

Bread absorbs liquid on standing. Note

Make this with any flavour of sausage you like. You can use ham instead of bacon. Note

Serve any leftover ratatouille with grilled meat or on pizza bases, topped with cheese. Note

Try using your favourite pasta sauce, such as a tomato based sauce with vegetables or herbs. To thaw frozen crepes, stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Note

Incredibly moreish hearty, chunky and creamy seafood chowder, packed with smoked cod, prawns, mussels and potatoes is especially tasty when served alongside crisp garlic bread.

Make this pate for a mid-year Christmas to remember.

An exquisite and delicious salmon tart from New Zealand Woman's Weekly.

Alexa Johnston bakes a dainty afternoon tea

If you don’t have a piping bog, drop heaped spoonfuls of pastry onto trays. You don’t have to use strawberries -you can serve profiteroles with any kind of berries. Store unfitted profiteroles airtight in freezer for up to 1 month. White Chocolate Filling: To ensure even setting, stir filling every 5 minutes while chilling. White […]

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.

Sprinkle tops of unbaked souffles with a little parmesan. For best results, use straight-sided ovenproof dishes. You can use red salmon or canned tuna instead. Note

Budget tip: Reduce the berries to 150g and add 1 finely chopped Granny Smith apple. Note

Try wholegrain mustard instead. Make smaller croissants as party food. Note

Nut skins can be bitter; rub toasted hazelnuts in a clean tea-towel to remove skins before chopping. Note

Clever idea: To melt chocolate for drizzling, chop chocolate, then seal in a small, resealable food storage bag. Place bag in a small heatproof bowl of boiling water; stand for 5 minutes or until chocolate melts. Remove bag from water carefully. Snip a small corner to drizzle. To add a Christmas touch, add some mixed […]

If you don’t have friand pans, make this recipe in a 12-hole (1/3-cup) muffin tray. Cooking time will vary. We used extra large (60g) eggs. You can freeze friands for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature. Note

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

A smooth French soup with creamed crab.

Strawberry crepes

Blend soup with an electric stick mixer. Note

You will need a candy thermometer (from homewares stores) for this recipe. You’ll find rice paper at delicatessens, some health and gourmet food stores; don’t confuse it with Asian rice paper. Note

You can use crepes from the chilled section. Try using pears instead of apples. Note

You can easily double mixture to serve 4. Note

Raspberry clafouti is a classic and rustic French dessert that is like a baked custard-like cake that is incredibly moreish and indulgent dusted with icing sugar and served at once

Make ahead You can make souffles to the end of Step 2, up to 2 hours ahead; cover, then keep at room temperature. Don’t everheat egg whites or they will be difficult to fofd into cheese mixture. Rice crumbs are in the health food aisle and at health food stores. Note

Use leftover peach syrup in smoothies and fruit safaris. You can use filo pastry; cooking time will vary. Add on orange liqueur, juice or essence to the cream. 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

No ovenproof frying pan? Cover handle with several layers of foil before baking. Use a teaspoon to remove core from pear. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Ratatouille is a staple of vegetarian cooking and now, in a a tart, it's even better.

This French inspired pastry-less tart is traditionally made with cherries. But we've used tangy raspberries in this delicious version.

To prevent air bubbles forming when spooning ice-cream into pudding basin, press down firmly. Try hazelnuts or pistachios instead of almonds. You can omit ginger. Be careful when melting chocolate; don’t overheat or it will seize. Note

Use a potato variety suitable for roasting. You can use kumara instead; cooking time will vary. Use 250g packet frozen chopped spinach. Note

Bake meringues on lowest shelf. Note

White Chocolate and Vanilla Macarons: Makes about 18 White Chocolate Ganache: Makes about 2/3 cup It’s important that macarons farm a crust an the base. If your oven is not fan forced, cook one tray at a time an the bottom shelf. You can make a disposable piping bag from a large plastic snap tack […]

You can melt chocolate and butter in the microwave. Microwave on High (100%) in 30-second bursts, stirring, until melted and smooth. Note

Instead of fresh blueberries, use raspberries, chopped strawberries, sliced bananas or frozen berries; price will vary. Note

Use a crepe pan if you have one; its shallow sides make it easy to slide crepes from pan. Note

Swap chicken thigh fillet for diced pork scotch fillet or veal. Note

You can use fresh mussels. Before cooking, wash and remove beard. For an extra kick, add chopped fresh red chilli with the onion and garlic. Thai-style mussels: Add finely chopped lemongrass and red chilli with the onion and garlic; swap coriander for parsley. Note

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

You can use any combination of vegetables, such as pumpkin and eggplant or peas and corn. Some tofu brands are sold in brine. Drain these well, then pat dry with paper towels before using them. Note

Makes 8 To freeze, place quiches in re-sealable food storage bags; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Note

This classic custard with a soft caramel on top is eaten around the world.

How easy – everything in one baking dish! No stress, no messy clean-up.

You can substitute the asparagus with fresh green beans if it’s not in season.

Fresh mandarin combines with homemade toffee to create the topping for this French toast recipe

Lumpy custard? To fix, push custard through a fine sieve. Make ahead: Bake pastry a day ahead. Store in an airtight container. Assemble the mille-feuille just before serving. Note

Clafoutis is a French baked dessert For best results, make clafoutis just before serving. Note

For a kid’s version, replace the brandy with orange juice or extra milk. Note

You can use a 250g packet thawed frozen chopped spinach instead of fresh. Using hands, squeeze excess liquid from spinach. Add to white sauce. Replace corn with 100g finely chopped shaved leg ham. Note

Top friands with thickly sliced strawberries instead. You can replace chocolate bar with chopped dark chocolate melts. Note

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

You’ll need a small French breadstick (baguette) or half a large one. Use skinless, boneless cooked chicken. Use cherry tomatoes instead of regular tomatoes. Price will vary. Trim ‘bad’ fat Choose low-fat sausages .and beef mince. Remove visible fat from meat and poultry before you cook it, rather than afterwards. Go heart-wise Use a little […]

You can use frozen mixed berries. Note

Make a large meringue instead of individual ones. Cooking time will vary. Note

If you use a traditional friand muffin tray, the mixture will make 10 friands instead of 12. Thaw frozen blueberries on paper towels at room temperature for 20 minutes. Note

Replace white wine with extra chicken stock. Brown chicken well before cooking casserole, as this adds colour and flavour to the dish. If chat (baby) red-skinned potatoes are unavailable, use medium potatoes, cut into 3cm pieces. Note

Using a V-slicer or mandolin makes slicing onions quick and easy. If slicing by hand, halve lengthwise first to make slicing easier. Note

Swap honey for maple syrup. To make crepes Sift 3/4 cup plain flour into a bowl. Add 3 eggs and 3/4 cup milk until smooth. Stand for 10 minutes. Cook 1/4-cup quantities in a lightly oiled pan over moderate heat for 1-2 minutes each side. Note

For a gooey centre, cook fondants for 6 minutes and serve in the ramekins. Note

No ovenproof frying pan? Sear salmon in frying pan, then transfer to a baking tray. Note

Make ahead: No self- raising flour? Use 3/4 cup plain flour mixed with 1 teaspoon baking powder instead. Note