Pastry

Blind by lining with baking paper and filling with dried beans, rice or weights. Note

You can use other stone fruit of choice, such as plums, peaches or apricots. Drained, canned fruit can also be used. Note

Covering the custard surface with plastic wrap helps to prevent a skin from forming. Note

Flavour your whipped cream with 2 tablespoons of coffee-flavoured liqueur. Note

Use kumara, if preferred. Tails can be lapped with some toasted pine nuts. Note

This quiche can also be made in a 23cm quiche pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Note

Handling frozen pastry is easier if you let it just partially thaw. Tarts can be dusted with a little nutmeg before the final baking, or with icing sugar before serving. Accompany with cream if liked. Note

This quiche freezes well. You can also use homemade shortcrust pastry. Delicious with some added char-grilled capsicum or caramelised onion. Note

When rolling out pastry, always try to roll into the shape of the pan to be lined and roll from the centre out. If you don’t have baking paper, roll on a flour-dusted surface with a floured rolling pin. Note

If the pastry begins to crumble, chill 10 minutes. Note

Arrange tomatoes in a small baking dish. Drizzle vinegar and oil over. Toss to coat. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until tomatoes collapse. Note

If using frozen smoked cod, thaw first. Equipment: You will need 4, 1-cup ramekins. Note

If desired, poach extra quinces. Quinces and syrup can be stored in the fridge and served with porridge or muesli for breakfast. For a quick quince dessert, thinly slice the poached quince over puff pastry for a quick and tart or fold through a butter cake mixture for a rich twist on a tea-cake. Note

Golden, sweet and buttery, this heavenly palmiers are stuffed with a creamy passionfruit, lemon and coconut filling to create a beautiful morning tea treat.

It is easier to handle pastry if it is only partially thawed. Note

This is messy to serve up, but no-one cares because it tastes so good! Cut with a serrated knife. Note

Brioche can be replaced with thick cafe-style slices of fruit loaf, if preferred. Note

Don’t have a cutter? Trace around a saucer. Note

Guinness adds a beautiful depth of flavour in this beef and mushroom pie. With crispy pastry and delicious chuck steak cubes, it's a warming meal that is well worth the extra effort!

This light, flaky golden croissant is beautiful stuffed with fresh ham, eggs and oozy melted cheese to create the perfect lazy weekend breakfast or brunch.

Makes 4 When mangoes are no longer in season, you can make these tarts with other fruits including apple, pear, fig, peach, apricot and nectarines. Note

You can use light sour cream in place of creme fraiche. Note

For an easy-to-cut version, leave pastry in a single sheet and top with cream and berries in a single layer. Note

Smooth egg custard tarts with a crisp buttery pastry and a creamy rich egg custard filling are so simple yet so delicious. No surprise that this dessert has now become a classic.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. For an additional flavour twist, top eggs with a spoonful of black olive tapenade, green tomato relish or thinly sliced prosciutto. Note

Store in an airtight container. Best made on the day of eating. Makes 16 Note

Use jam flavour of your choice. Note

For a variation, replace the lamb with beef chuck steak and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes longer, until tender. Note

MAKES 6 Note

MAKES 10 Don’t have a piping bag? No worries. Note

If the pastry has puffed up too much, use a tea towel to press down gently with a baking tray while still hot. Note

We used amber ale as our beer of choice, but you could use any type you prefer. Note

Cover filo with a clean tea towel while working to prevent it from drying out. Note

To join trimmed pastry, brush one side with a little water and press other side down. Blind baking: cover pastry with a sheet of baking paper and top with either dried baking beans or rice. This weighs down the pastry base and prevents it from rising. Note

MAKES 30 Gow gee wrappers are found packaged in the refrigerated section of the supermarket or Asian grocery stores. Note

To make a hot fudge sauce, Combine 150g chopped dark chocolate, 1 cup cream, 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla essence in a small saucepan. Stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Note

Try making with ham, asparagus and tomato, or salami, mushroom and onion. Note

MAKES 6 Note

Blind-bake by lining cases with baking paper and filling with baking weights or dried beans. This prevents pastry puffing up during cooking and helps to keep base crisp. Note

Salmon tart makes a great light lunch or dinner party starter. Crisp puff pastry is topped with mozzarella cheese, dill, seasoned flaked salmon filets and scattered with olives and baked until golden.

Make smaller pasties for great finger food. Note

A top entree or serve with salad as a main. Note

Swap tomato chutney for caramelised onion relish, if preferred. It is important to rest the pastry after rolling it to fit the pan, as this will help prevent it shrinking during baking. Note

Make salad with 1 sliced cucumber, 1/2 cup each coriander and thai basil leaves, 1 sliced eschalot and 1 tablespoon lime juice . Note

You require a high temperature when cooking pastry to ensure a puffed, crisp result. Note

Tomato, goat's cheese and thyme quiche brought to you by Woman's Day

Woman�s Day recreates a delicious childhood classic with creamy vanilla custard between flaky puff pastry topped with sweet passionfruit icing � a real teatime indulgence.

Tomato, goat's cheese and thyme quiches

For your sweetie pie! These are fantastic tiny little tempters if you’re looking for picnic fare - or anytime fare too!