I’m a big fan of salads; it’s the colour, the crunch, the tang, the oily juices they create, just begging to be mopped up with bread, that have me constantly hungering for more ways to throw leaves, herbs, vegetables and edible flowers together. And I love the way that salads can make a little protein go further, or gracefully move over and let the protein be the star. Warm, warmish, at room temperature or chilled, salads should be the mainstay of our diet.

The summer hols never last long enough. Soon it’s back to school or work. Sophie Gray sends you on your way with a smile and this tasty lunch option

These icy sensations from Sarah Bowman are perfect to keep in the freezer for unexpected guests

Whether you’re relaxing at the bach or pottering around at home on your holidays, this summer recipe from Julie Biuso is designed to be light on effort and big on taste

Fresh watermelon alone is one of the best things about summer, but try pairing it with vodka, bitters, lemonade and mint for an extra special summer sipper.

This is a five-star dish – so good you might consider making double!

Perfectly cooked steak, spicy watercress, mayo with a kick all inside a soft, fresh ciabatta bun – who could ask for more in a sandwich?

A mango lassi is refreshing on a hot summer’s day, and this light version – made from skimmed milk and yoghurt – is guilt-free! Some freshly chopped mint gives this Indian classic a twist.

This lemon almond cake is moreishly moist, it’s a simple yet impressive cake, and is pretty to look at as well as delicious to eat.

This is almost like a chutney in flavour; it’s tart and a little sweet and the juniper berries give a lovely, peppery, aniseed flavour.

Kid-friendly tip: adding worcestershire sauce gives a little heat, but leave it out if your children dislike spicy food. Note

Dropping consistency is reached when the mixture is soft enough to slide off the spoon after a few seconds, but isn’t so soft that it falls off easily. Note

This golden creamy and cheesy pasta bake recipe is sure to satisfy the fussiest members of the family. Serve with a fresh tossed salad for a balanced and delicious midweek feast.

Verjuice is unripened grape juice, and it gives a delicious tang to sauces and dressings. It is available at selected Coles Supermarkets. Sweet grapes are not restricted to fruit platters, desserts and salads. They also work well in poultry dishes, especially the seedless varieties, which need no preparation. Note

Add a little grated nutmeg to your mash and it will be extra special Kid-friendly tip: leftover crumbed cutlets are perfect in school lunches. Note

If you don’t like the taste of curry, or simply want to vary the flavour of this dish, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of tomato paste for the curry powder. Note

The perfect meal for a quick, easy and delicious lunch with the kids. Tasty double decker sandwiches with multigrain bread packed with fresh tomatoes, ham and creamy avocado.

You could also swirl raspberry puree or cooled poached rhubarb through the ice-cream for a change of flavour. Note

Makes about 1L/10 cones Note

Aperol is a bitter orange flavoured Italian aperitif. Alcohol freezes at a lower temperature, so add it towards end of churning or halfway through freezing. Note

If you don’t have a reliable oven grill, use a well-oiled chargrill on medium-high heat. Note

If you like, dust insides of ramekins with a little extra caster sugar to help the souffles rise. Note

You’ll have 1 1/4 cups of creamy feta sauce from this recipe. Note

When a cake needs the juice and rind of a lemon, you can replace it with a teaspoon of Queen Natural Lemon Essence. Note

The easiest way to crush biscuits is to whiz them quickly in a food processor, or place them in a resealable plastic bag. Seal and pat with a rolling pin.. Note

To prevent the oregano and chilli from burning, cook the drumettes in a GLAD BBQ Tray so the flames don’t come into direct contact with the food. Note

For a makeshift piping bag, place melted chocolate in a small snap-lock bag and snip off a corner. Push out air left in the bag, reseal and use to pipe chocolate over meringues. Note

To make even lighter sponges, swap the 1 cup of self-raising flour for 3/4 cup (110g) cornflour, 1 tablespoon plain flour and 1 teaspoon baking powder, then swap the 1/4 cup boiling water for 2 teaspoons golden syrup and 1 tablespoon boiling water. Note

When you’re quartering a spring onion, leave the root attached so it doesn’t fall apart while cooking. A microwave can he a great help for cooking this side dish when you’re busy preparing the rest of the meal. Note

These are a great lower-fat alternative to deep-fried chips. For added flavour, before baking toss wedges with freshly chopped herbs, rind and juice of 1 lemon and a grinding of pepper, or 2 teaspoons cajun or mexican seasoning mix. Note

Makes about 20 squares Note

A sexy dessert that can be prepared in advance: make the mousse the day before and keep refrigerated, then whip up the zabaglione crema just before serving.

Squishy doughnut dough: crispy on the outside and full of oozy jam – it just doesn’t get much better than that.

This is a real show-stopper. The dark chocolate and coffee cake is coated in a delicious coffee frosting. It’s easy to bake and fun to assemble, so even a novice can produce a great-looking, great-tasting result.

Lovers of blue cheese, rejoice! This creamy dressing is a natural match for pear and toasted walnut salad.

Glaze ham for Christmas then slice it and spice it… here’s Julie Biuso’s menu-winning ham.

Marinating the fresh salmon in lemon juice actually starts to cook the fish and infuses it with a delicious citrus flavour.

Glazing a ham is a Christmas rite of passage for the home cook. You can’t beat the look of a nice ham all dressed up in cherries or pineapple. It makes you look like a whiz in the kitchen and it’s dead easy.

These nuts are a great stand-by when you need a little nibble with drinks for pop-in guests.

Classic pavlova takes a trip to the tropics in this version: meringue covered with Malibu-spiked cream under a topping of tropical fruit salad.

A garnish of flowering herbs and fresh peas makes this comfort-food favourite extra special.

You don’t have to use scallops – cooked prawns or crab meat would also work.

These sticky little morsels are delicious when dipped in the fragrant crushed nuts and chilli.

The cranberry jelly and pomegranate seeds add a touch of fun, and they look stunning too.

Light, fresh and tasty, this healthy zucchini, asparagus and broad bean salad makes the perfect side dish for an outdoor Summer dinner party.

Add a dash of pizazz to your table with this colourful, fresh and healthy layered vegie dish.

Eleanor Ozich adds a gluten-free twist to traditional Christmas fare

This simple and beautiful apple and sage dish is the perfect side dish to serve alongside dessert or a family roast dinner.

You can't go wrong with a big piece of tender pork meat, surrounded by a thick layer or crunchy golden crackling. Serve with roast vegetables for a beautiful Sunday night family dinner.

This delicious treat looks makes a wonderful Christmas gift for family and friends. And it's gluten-free and dairy-free too!

These truffles won't last long even if they are the healthiest treats on the table. Gluten-free and dairy-free too, watch them disappear.

These festive goodies are so delicious and healthy there's no need to hold back. And they're gluten-free and dairy-free too!

Eleanor Ozich adds a gluten-free twist to traditional Christmas fare

Julie Biuso adds a dash of pizazz to vegetable sides, ensuring your summer dining table is alive with colourful, fresh and healthy flavours. Imaginative vegetable sides can turn a meal into a fabulous feast. We’re not talking plain boiled carrots – we’re talking flavour, colour and attitude. Bring in ginger, spices and chilli for a little zing; nuts for the crunch factor; edible flower petals for colour; then yellow and red capsicum to contrast with the green vegetables.

Christmas recipe our Taste writers have recieved the most compliments for over the years.

Luca Villari raids the liqueur cabinet to add extra dimensions of flavour to this elegant desert

On a warm summer’s evening in Canterbury, Sarah Bowman treats the family to a delightful, casual dinner of salmon

Christmas recipe our Taste writers have recieved the most compliments for over the years.

Luca Villari raids the liqueur cabinet to add extra dimensions of flavour to this elegant dinner dish

Luca Villari raids the liqueur cabinet to add extra dimensions of flavour to this elegant dinner dish

On a warm summer’s evening in Canterbury, Sarah Bowman treats the family to a delightful, casual desert of strawberry cream cups

These are sensational! Although this isn't a traditional Italian dish, the flavour combination of lemons, tomatoes and a strong cheese is definitely Italian. Serve these as a light lunch or a starter.

This is a simple salad that is packed full of flavor.

If you have guests coming around, this salmon pâté, made from flaky fresh salmon fillets, is ready in just 20 minutes.

Four ingredients are all you need to create this quick, satisfying breakfast or snack.

This gluten-free stuffing has endless variations. Add nuts or dried fruit, and other herbs and spices. To tie up a chicken, place it on its back. Pull skin over neck and secure by folding wing tips back over skin. Run string around wings and underneath to cross over back. Turn chicken over and bring string […]

The tartness of the sauce in this dish is a reminder to a son-in-law that any errant ways have been noted! Take care sliding the eggs into hot oil- stand well back and use an oven mitt. Note