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If you don’t have a jelly bowl, use a greased 20cm (base measurement) round cake pan. You’ll find liquid glucose in health food stores. Be prepared: Before you start, make space in the fridge for jelly. Note

Budget beef rump steak is a less expensive alternative to regular ramp steak. Note

You can also serve the mustard sauce with pork leg steaks, lamb chops or sausages. Note

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

Risotto base is partly cooked Arborio rice, found in the rice aisle For a vegetarian meal, omit bacon, use vegetable stock and stir in 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts and 150g baby spinach leaves at end of Step 2. Note

You’ll need to cook about 1 cup rice. Try using cooked risoni instead of rice. You’ll need to process 4 slices day- old white bread for crumbs. Note

Kumara is orange sweet potato. Note

You can use beef or veal instead of pork if preferred. Try using cumin seeds or crushed peppercorn mix instead of fennel seeds. Note

Replace mustard with 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce if liked. Note

No horseradish cream? Use 2 teaspoons Dijon or wholegrain mustard. Replace lettuce, with a bunch of trimmed watercress or 80g baby rocket. Note

Using a vegetable peeler, slice zucchini lengthwise into long ribbons. Stack on a chopping board and slice lengthwise. Note

Use green capsicum instead of red if preferred. To save time, use a kettle to boil water for pasta. Note

You can use prawns or smoked salmon instead of chicken. Note

If steaks are thick, gently pound to 5mm. 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

Try this mince mixture spooned over baked jacket potatoes or in toasted sandwiches. Note

You can use frozen spinach (thawed) instead of fresh. Replace chives with green onion. Replace half the stock with water. Polenta will thicken on standing. It is best cooked just before serving. Note

Save time: Use a bought marinade. To prevent bamboo skewers scorching, soak in cold water for 20 minutes before threading ingredients. Economy beef is a cheaper alternative to regular beef cuts. Note

Use ripe regular tomatoes instead of cherry. Canned tuna is a great source of omega-3 fatty acid. Add sliced black olives if you like. Use iceberg instead of butter lettuce. Note

Chinese cabbage is also known as wombok; it’s available from supermarkets and greengrocers. You can use red or savoy cabbage instead. Note

No ring pan? Use a 22cm round. Try other canned fruit, such as peaches or pears. Serve cake with custard or ice-cream. Note

Delicious hot or cold, this is terrific served with mixed berries or diced fresh mango and passionfruit. If you don’t have coconut milk, use the more traditional single cream.

Inspired by the following ingredients I gathered from Matakana Farmers’ Market one Saturday, this deliciously fresh salad made a lovely lunch with friends. And a simple crusty ciabatta loaf was the perfect accompaniment.

When entertaining in Paris, we often served a consommé-like soup. This green vegetable option is ideal to kick off an evening of feasting. Be sure to not overcook the green vegetables, as the delight of the soup is its fresh green colours.

Show off your bottling skills with this tasty sponge.

Enjoy the benefits of nutritionally rich, antioxidant-filled spinach in this tasty spinach and cheese tart. Cut up a slice for your family and serve with a side salad for a healthy dinner.

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

Alexa Johnston bakes a dainty afternoon tea

Reap the benefits of spinach and still enjoy your bacon and egg roll for breakfast with these tasty omelette rolls. Packed full of protein, it's the perfect way to start your day.

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

Reap all the benefits of this nutritionally dense, iron-loaded vegetable in this tasty spinach and cauliflower soup. Warming, healthy and delicious, this creamy soup is beautiful served with bread.

This quick and tasty spinach salad is packed full of goodness to fuel you for the day. Light, healthy and fresh, it is perfect for hot Summer days.

She’s known as ‘The Caker’, but Jordan Rondel is also a dab hand at biscuit-baking

Alexa Johnston bakes a dainty afternoon tea

She’s known as ‘The Caker’, but Jordan Rondel is also a dab hand at biscuit-baking

She’s known as ‘The Caker’, but Jordan Rondel is also a dab hand at biscuit-baking

Alexa Johnston bakes a dainty afternoon tea

For fluffy pancakes, don’t overmix batter. Note

To prevent pear discolouring, drizzle with orange juice. Note

Transfer half the mixture to a heatproof bowl for Jacket Potatoes with Chicken chill or freeze if liked. Jacket Potatoes with Chicken: Brush 4 washed medium potatoes with oil. Microwave on High (100%) for 8-10 minutes or until tender when plEfCGi with a skewer. Cool slightly. Place on a baking tray; cut a small slice […]

Lamb Pot Pies: Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan forced. Remove meat from reserved chops; cut into 3cm pieces. Place in a bowl. Blend 2 teaspoons cornflour with 1/4 cup hot chicken stock; add to lamb. Add 1 cup par-cooked kumara (orange sweet potato) cubes and 1 cup frozen peas. Stir to combine. Spoon mixture into […]

To make a rocky road slice top the cookie dough with coconut, morshmallows, muesli and chopped chocolate. Use any dried fruit, such as peach or apricot. Note

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

This cosy and gorgeously tender beef in red wine is packed with loads of fresh vegetables, topped with smooth mashed potato, creating a beautiful and comforting midweek family meal

Pork neck is a delicious cut, suitable for slow roasting or bruising. Star anise is available from delis, greengrocers and Asian grocery stores. If unavailable, you can use 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise. You can replace sherry with extra stock if preferred Note

Decadent bittersweet chocolate and cream make the basic ganache for the centre of these truffles. These delicious chocolate truffles make the perfect after dinner indulgence.

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

Meal ideas Frozen potatoes are great in salads, casseroles, soups and you can mash them. Health bite Baking frozen chips lowers the fat content. Lower cholesterol look for products that are fat reduced. Vegetarian Replace bacon with char-grilled vegetables. Note

Calamari Cook quickly at high temperature – barbecue, fry or stir-fry – but don’t overcook. Note

To toast coconut, heat a small frying pan over moderate heat. Cook and stir coconut for 3-4 minutes or until golden. Note

Have meringue ready when you remove ice-cream mixture from freezer, then work quickly. Make individual serves. Freeze ice-cream mixture in 8 x 1 1/3-cup freezer-proof moulds lined with plastic food wrap; freezing time will vary. Aunt Betty’s Steamed Puddings are in the dessert aisle at major supermarkets. Aunt Betty/s Steamed Puddings, in a variety of […]

Chicken schnitzel burgers

To skin drumstick, pull skin towards knuckle; trim. Cornflake crumbs are gluten free. Note

Gluten-free pastry doesn’t need to be rested but it works best if chilled. Xanthan gum is a gluten-free stabiliser that improves the texture of gluten-free breads and pastry – available from health food shops. Demerara sugar is also known as coffee crystals. Note

If weather is hot, chill biscuits for 20 minutes before baking. Stay safe: (for litttlies) Decorate with rainbow choc chips instead of cachous. Note

If you can’t find toasted slivered almonds, toast your own; cook nuts in a small frying pan over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Toast extra nuts, then make a nibble mix. Note

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

Use any combination of glace fruit,egg,ginger or mango. You con use ovenproof tea cups instead of pudding moulds. To reheat puddings,microwave each on High (100%) in 30-second bursts. Note

Budget tip: Use large leaves; reserve centre of cabbage for stir-fries or salads. You will need 1 large cabbage for this recipe. Rice will be slightly crunchy but will then soften when rolls are baked. Note

Budget tips: Use dried pasta such as rigatoni or penne. Use 2 medium brown onions instead of leek. Wipe leek to remove grit-washing can dilute flavour. Note

Mango sorbet and frozen yoghurt slice

Look far banana chips in the health food aisle of major supermarkets or at health food stores. Replace walnuts with pecans or brazil nuts. Note

Use a zester to remove zest from oranges. Instead of zest, top loaves with small wedges of glac‚ orange, available at health food stores and some delicatessens. For an extra choc-orange boost, top icing with chopped chocolate Jaffas. To line a mini loaf tray, cut baking paper into 8x15x8cm rectangles. Note

Use the end of a wooden spoon or roiling pin to press crumbs into base of mini muffin holes Note

For best results, bake cake a day before you decorate it. Store in an airtight container or freeze. Instead of jelly beans, try other sweets, such as chocolate buttons. Butter Cream Icing: Makes 2 cups Note

Prawn caesar salad

You can use sour cream instead of buttermilk. Muffins are great for Lunch boxes. Try fresh ricotta instead of feta. You’ll need about 2 zucchini. Note

Piece 100g chocolate in a small zip-lock bag. Microwave on High (100%) in 30-second bursts. Snip a corner to form a piping bag. Drizzle over slice. Note

Work quickly once the caramel and marshmallow mixture is cooked, as it can harden quickly. Note

Instead of buying char- grilled capsicum, roast your own with the potatoes. Use leftover mayonnaise with grilled chicken or prawns. Freeze egg whites in ice-cube trays for Eater use. Note

You can use any flavour of gravy mix in this recipe. Note

To melt chocolate in the microwave, place chocolate in a small microwave -safe bowl. Microwave on High (100%) in 30-second, stirring, until melted and smooth. Note

An elegant and decadent poached pear dessert laced with cinnamon and vanilla, drizzled with chocolate sauce. Up the level of indulgence by serving with a scoop of ice-cream.

No piping bag? Spoon icing into a small resealable food storage bag; seal, then snip off a small corner. Note

Small meringues are usually kept in the bread and cake aisles. If not, try a cake shop or bakery. You need 93 meringues. Note

Makes 6 To make snowmen go further, stack 2 balls instead of 3. To melt chocolate and cream in the microwave, place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High (100%) in 30-second bursts, stirring, until melted and smooth. You can use chocolate bullets for the nose. Note

It's cold outside, but that's no reason to freeze out this dessert.

These hearty and healthy soups combine practicality with great taste.

Bubbling hot shoulder chops are one of the most flavoursome cuts of lamb – and friendly on the budget.