Other

There's something about chocolate that most of us find hard to resist... Oh! Chocolate!

Here’s a sensational soup by Julie Biuso to enjoy as autumn weather rolls around. It’s a great time for soup, whether it be fresh and invigorating or hearty and comforting

Sophie Gray’s pastry tarts make a tasty snack, a quick lunch or a light dinner

The tartness of the rhubarb combines with the sweet cream to make a memorable dessert.

The truffles can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge to serve with coffee and the newspaper, or a good book.

Sophie Gray’s pastry twizzlers make a tasty snack, a quick lunch or a light dinner

Prepare healthy Lunches for school or work with this simple recipe by Sophie Gray

Enjoy the contrast between creamy, smooth dark chocolate and tart, vibrant apricots in this delicious Easter layer cake

Raw food expert Megan May of Little Bird Organics creates exciting Easter treats packed with goodness

This dish is sure to create a buzz when you serve it up: smoky green wheat drizzled with pomegranate molasses; it packs more punch than your average mid-week salad or vegetable dish.

Now is the time to show off autumn vegetables by using their striking colours and varied textures to make impressive, delicious and nutritious dishes

The trick with this salad is to use sweet vine tomatoes of different sizes and colours. One green tomato in the salad will add a touch of pleasant acidity.

These are rich, but a fitting end to a lavish meal. Serve with espresso coffee.

Use the best pork sausages you can afford for this fragrant, rustic dish.

Filled with smoked pork ribs, barley and vegetables, this barley and smoked pork soup with pasta is a complete meal in a bowl.

When tamarillos are in season, try this quick and easy recipe which can be served with muesli and yoghurt for breakfast.

The adage that ‘cool fingers make light pastry’ is true, even when using the ready-made variety. Fill with sweet and tangy coconut and lime filling and this delectable afternoon snack is served.

Mushrooms or tomatoes work well with this dish for a simple side or entrée.

These oranges are a great side to any dessert adding that touch of extra sweetness.

An irresistible simple desert for chocolate lovers. Pair with cinnamon oranges for a perfect seasonal dessert.

Serve this slice with coffee after your main, or save for morning tea.

Tangy mayo adds a refreshing zing to these quick and easy fish burgers.

Super easy, with toasted sesame flavours, this recipe works well as a lunch dish for the ladies or a flash family meal.

Pick a little of what you fancy and get ready to roll!

This dish is also known as a souffle omelette. Note

If you are using an ice-cream maker, follow the manufacturer’s directions then pour into a loaf pan, cover with foil and freeze. Note

A 250g packet of biscuits makes more crumbs than required. Use crumbs to sprinkle over ice-cream or add to crumble toppings. Biscuit crumbs can also be kept in freezer. Note

To make a simple aioli, combine mayonnaise with crushed garlic and grated lemon rind. Note

Take care when flaming – use a long match or taper and move away from pan. Accompany with ice-cream, if desired. Note

Substitute tuna for salmon, if preferred. Note

Mix batter until lump- free. If possible, allow to stand for 10-15 minutes. Note

Squid tubes are found at seafood counter of supermarket. If possible, purchase small squid tubes for individual servings. Note

Stuffed green olives and chopped fresh coriander can be added with peas. Note

Baby mint leaves can be used in place of dill. Finely shredded witlof is a great addition to this salad. Note

This recipe is a personal favourite. If you are in a rush, it’s quick to cook for the family - Mike Van de Elzen

Cake is the perfect way to end a long lazy lunch, especially if it’s light and zingy and comes with a large dollop of Greek yoghurt or thickened cream! This is a simple cake with citrus zest, but becomes special when doused in sweet fragrant syrup and candied peel.

Entertaining is a breeze if you beef it up!

Bring out the relishes and pickles when entertaining – they impress every time!

For flavour, add a strip of orange peel or use dried fruit and let it infuse and swell in the syrup.

Chunky-cut vegetables in this relish make a hearty, satisfying addition to many meals.

Ginger and mint are a classic combo. Pair them with honey and soda water for a sensational drink.

I know it’s not the old-fashioned way of making jam, but it is fool proof and sometimes you just need to know it’s going to work and set perfectly. You can use either fresh berries (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries) but also thawed frozen berries. I used half and half. The little knob of butter […]

Share some love with this totally dishy salmon meal

Try these chic bites for your next big do

Try these chic bites for your next big do

For lunchboxes or dessert, this biscuit recipe is wonderfully versatile.

When time is limited, make your baking work for you. These recipes will take you from afternoon tea to dessert!

Can-do dinner. There’s a reason this BBQ cooking method is still a hit – because it’s great!

This two-tone brownie is a delectable twist on the classic recipe and can be easily dressed up as a decadent dessert.

When time is limited, make your baking work for you. These recipes will take you from afternoon tea to dessert!

This two-tone brownie is a delectable twist on the classic recipe and can be easily dressed up as a decadent dessert.

As if this isn’t sweet and indulgent enough! For a decadent dessert platter, stack slices in a pyramid and drizzle over melted chocolate. It really says “eat me!” I love the addition of oats to the base; they give substance and you can pretend it’s good for you! Note

Let Julie Biuso open your eyes to the glory of new-season apples

“Using herbs and vegetables from the garden as the star ingredients for a weekend lunch is not only easy on the budget, but brings a real glow of satisfaction. Even if the herbs are the only contribution from the garden you can still claim some credit for growing as well as cooking. (Make a note to plant some silverbeet in a bucket on the balcony for next time.)”

Passionfruit is a beguiling combination of the refreshingly tart and the exotically sweet. It adds a final flourish to Eleanor Ozich’s gluten-free sweet treats

When renovating a house one of the most unsettling things is having to make do without a kitchen. Rather than resigning yourself to takeaways every night, borrow an electric frying pan and a gas ring if you don’t already have them and have a go at turning out these dishes. It’ll keep you healthy, sane and on budget.

This refreshingly tart yet sweet treat is also gluten-free.

A pot of coffee or tea and a plate of home baking can give an otherwise drab afternoon a bit of a rise.

While rennovating one of the most unsettling things about doing up a house is having to make do without a kitchen. Rather than resigning yourself to takeaways every night, borrow an electric frying pan and a gas ring if you don’t already have them and have a go at turning out this dish. It’ll keep you healthy, sane and on budget.

Forget the breakfast club, have a sleep-in then get the crew together forJulie Biuso’s delicious vegetable-based brunch dish

Add dried fruit and a little citrus to your sweet biscuits to balance out the butter and sugar and create a new level of flavour your family and friends will love.

Passionfruit is a beguiling combination of the refreshingly tart and the exotically sweet.

Let Julie Biuso open your eyes to the glory of new-season apples

People assume that because one is old that time is not an issue. The trouble is, when you are as old as I am, everything simply takes so much longer to do! I can assure you, Nana’s brain moves just as quickly as ever, but my poor old limbs just don’t seem to follow, so a recipe that is reasonably quick to prepare is a boon for me. Most pickles and chutneys take the best part of a day to make and three months to mature. To speed things along, I’m making a batch of sweet and tangy bread and butter pickles. They are as delicious as a relish, but are ready in 24 hours.

A pot of coffee or tea and a plate of home baking can give an otherwise drab afternoon a bit of a rise. I like to include nuts in sweet baking to balance out the butter and sugar. They also make baking taste scrumptious

Forget the breakfast club, have a sleep-in then get the crew together forJulie Biuso’s delicious vegetable-based brunch dish

Alexa Johnston transforms basic dough into buns and herb bread

Spicy pear loaf can be iced for a sweet treat or served warm with lashings of butter.

Here’s ham and eggs with a difference to serve for brunch, lunch or dinner. Be aware, though, that if serving it as a meal, hearty eaters will eat two!

This colourful and enticing pairing works because the balance of smoke, heat, richness and salt is tempered with fresh bursts of lemon, the acidity of green tomatoes, and an occasional bitter kick from radicchio.

Tuna is dense and meaty, needing minimal cooking, if any. Here it has been simply seared it, then paired it with crunchy fennel carpaccio and a salty caper dressing.

Simplicity reigns in this new favourite summer cocktail.

Shortcrust pastry can be used instead of puff pastry, if desired. Note

Remove the fuzzy “beard” from mussels by pulling it towards you with a knife. Add a pinch of sugar to dressing to take away acidic edge. Note

Try adding a bunch of broccolini with other vegetables – just add to vegetable steamer basket 3 minutes before end of cooking. Note

Taste the mixture after adding the sugar – it may need an extra tablespoon. Note

This jelly should have distinct layers. The clear lemon jelly contrasts with the spongy honeycomb base. Don’t worry if the mixture curdles – it’s meant to. Note

Chill patties for 5-10 minutes before cooking. Ensure that patties are not pink in centre, as uncooked mince may contain bacteria. Note