Pastry

This dish is perfect for an outdoor casual lunch or a posh picnic.

Galaktoboureko is the Greek name for this traditional sweet pastry. Note

You can top with other fruit of choice, such as sliced strawberries or kiwi fruit. Note

Serve with mixed green leaf salad. Note

Makes 24 Make the curd with lime or orange juice and zest instead of lemon, if you like. Use flavourings of your choice, such macadamia and date or mixed dried fruit. Note

Mince pies can be frozen before baked and will keep for up to a month. Note

The words "apple pie" conjures warmth, aroma, taste, and togetherness. This easy apple pie recipe is filled with Granny Smith apples and is tucked into a golden buttery pie crust.

No oven proof frying pan? Transfer hot bolognese to a pie dish. Mexican seasoning is available in spice aisle; substitute with taco seasoning if not available. Note

Replace lemon butter with passionfruit butter or marmalade. Add a pinch of cinnamon to icing sugar before dusting. Note

Leftovers? Use salsa in tacos, or as a dip with corn chips, rice crackers or vegetable sticks. Use cooked bacon or chicken instead of ham. Vegetarian: Swap bacon for 1 cup grated kumara (orange sweet potato). Note

Use loose spinach leaves instead of packaged; they’re cheaper per kilo. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to thinly slice potatoes. Note

To freeze: Place uncooked puffs on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Freeze until firm, then layer between sheets of baking paper in a freezer-safe container. There’s no need to thaw; just cook frozen puffs for an extra 10 minutes. You can substitute pesto or sweet tomato chutney for salsa, if liked. Note

You’ll need 2 slices of day-old bread to make crumbs. Currants and other dried vine fruit, such as sultanas and raisins, are good low-GI options. Note

Make puffs savoury; top with fresh ricotta and sliced tomato. Make puffs and vanilla cream a day ahead. Store puffs in an airtight container at room temperature; vanilla cream in the fridge. Note

Discard leftover pastry; don’t refreeze. Note

For glossy, golden pastry, brush tops with egg-yolk instead of milk. If liked, sprinkle top with sesame seeds before baking. Note

Cover entire surface of crème pâtissière with plastic wrap to avoid skin forming. Note

Leftover custard will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Note

Not suitable to microwave. Note

This honey baklava is flaky, crisp, nutty and tender and isn�t overly sweet. A small slice of baklava goes a long way, especially with a cup of strong coffee or a hot cup of tea.

As a variation, fill the pastry cases with drained and chopped char-grilled vegetables or sautéd chopped mushrooms and asparagus. MAKES 36 Note

Alcohol can be replaced with fruit juice. Note

If liked use mixed antipasto vegetables, in jars or tubs. Note

This is best eaten on the day it’s prepared Note

We used fresh berries but frozen would be fine. Just remember to bring them to room temperature and drain before use. Sliced pears or apples would also be delicious in this recipe. Any leftover pastry can be wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated or frozen for later use. Note

Place raw couscous in a heat-resistant bowl with 1 cup hot water or stock. Set aside 5 minutes to absorb liquid. Fluff up with a fork and use as directed. Note

Bougatsa traditionally has a sweet custard filling, but ours is a savoury version. Note

If you're looking for a simple and tasty finger food to that will please a crowd, look no further than these salmon quichettes. They are delicious hot or cold and a also make a perfect after school snack.

Sprinkled with freshly made za'atar, this crisp, spicy pizza slices are delicious either dipped in yoghurt, or with a spoonful dolloped on top. Great as a snack, starter or a share platter.

Sticky, gooey, sweet and astringent in all the right measures, these baked brie and quince matchsticks are made from light, flaky puff-pastry. Fabulous finger food for a party.

These bagel chips are just perfect served alongside soups or dips. The sprinkling of the dried oregano turns the humble chip into a fragrant and tasty snack just right for dipping. You might also add a touch of salt.

Empanadas are the perfect snack to serve at a barbecue or cocktail party. They are also delicious cold and make a tasty addition to the kids' school lunch boxes.

It's not quite a turnover, and not quite a strudel, but this rhubarb and almond jalousie is rather delicious. This crispy sweet delight certainly proves that French know their stuff when it comes to making pastries.

Pork pie is a classic British dish made with hot water pastry that is traditionally eaten cold. This makes it perfect for picnics or even as a quick snack snatched from the fridge while you're on the go.

Our profiteroles with chocolate liqueur sauce are the perfect end to your next dinner party. For best results, don't forget to perforate each profiterole with the tip of a sharp knife before the last 5 minutes of baking.

Crisp butter puff pastry, creamy vanilla crème pâtissière and juicy apricots make these pastries the ultimate treat for breakfast or morning tea.

Who doesn't love a pie? It's like a big warm hug.

Unbaked spanakopita suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

This potato, onion and herb pie makes a nice change from more meatier versions. It is delicious either hot or cold.

Thiples (or Diples) are a Greek sweet dessert consisting of pastry that has been fried in hot oil, and a honey drizzle. This recipe uses classic flavours so the dish is true to its origin.

Try this sweet, spiced classic drizzled in honey syrup for a decadent but light dessert.

Studded with pistachios, pomegranate seeds and raspberries, this deconstructed dessert is perfect for an elegant dinner party.

You'll be seriously popular after you serve up these hot little banana, chocolate and peanut butter turnovers.

A dish that looks wonderful doesn't need to be difficult, as is shown by this mushroom tart recipe.

Served with chopped parsley and a drizzle of yoghurt, these spicy lamb pastry boats are fantastic for a party.

These are serious little pies; tender chunks of chicken, earthy mushrooms and fennel swimming in a creamy mustard sauce and topped with golden, flaky pastry.

Like a Mediterranean version of spring rolls, these subtly spiced cigars and full of rich, zingy flavours, and make easy finger food for a dinner party.

The mille-feuille, or vanilla slice, or custard slice, is known as the Napoleon. It is a French pastry whose exact origin, despite its noble name, is unknown. It's also quite delicious.

These tasty, flaky little pastries, seasoned with shards of nori, sesame and parmesan, make a great shared party platter. Use scissors to finely shred the nori.

These take a little bit more time and effort than school sandwiches, but they are delicious. They freeze well, too, and are just as nice cold as they are warm – perfect for the lunchbox.

Serve these delicate turnovers dusted with sifted icing sugar for a delicious mid-afternoon treat or, for a yummy dessert, serve with ice-cream.

Palmiers are at their best eaten warm from the oven, but they can be made a day ahead; store in an airtight container. Note

It is thought the Crusaders introduced these to England when they returned from the Holy Land in the 13th century. Recipe can be made two days ahead. Suitable for freezing. Note

Both Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples are suitable for this recipe. Note

Leek lovers can add the thinly sliced white and pale green part of a leek to this delicious chicken and mushroom pie, just add it after the onion.

Topped with a crunchy pastry lid sprinkled with cinnamon and flaked almonds, this juicy apple and berry pie makes a luscious ending to a family meal.

Encased in crisp puff pastry, this beautiful berry sponge slice makes a delightful sweet treat with tea or coffee.

A spiced apple and prune filling is sandwiched between buttery shortcrust pastry in this easy, delicious slice.

The rich redness of the rhubarb manages to make this dish look both striking and sophisticated. Few will be able to resist the charms of the deliciously tart topping hiding a rich creamy custard filling.

The apples can be cooked ahead of time and left in the pan, covered, in the fridge. The tarte tatin can be finished and transported in the pan if you’re picnicking – simply reheat on the barbecue or fire before turning out and serving warm.

It might be a touch retro, but Beef Wellington is also a bona fide classic, the jewel in the crown of British cooking.

Delight the family with these moreish beef pies with cheesy polenta and potato toppings.

These tasty Vegemite treats are perfect for at-home-snacks or for packing into the kids lunchboxes.

Make the most of the cooler weather with this decadent, creamy apple cheesecake.

Serve these crispy chicken sausage rolls with your favourite dipping sauce for a fast and tasty snack.

Succulent lamb fillets form the centre of these tasty little Greek-style pastry with spinach and feta cheese.

Buy fresh filo from the refrigerated section of the supermarket as it is easier to work with than frozen filo pastry, which has a tendency to be brittle and crack. Note

Use figs that are not too ripe. Overripe figs contain more moisture and will make the pastry soggy. Note

These gorgeous miniature berry and rhubarb pies are perfect for a morning or afternoon treat, or a decadent dessert with vanilla ice-cream.

This delicious olive and roasted tomato tart is equally delicious served hot or cold. Accompany with rocket salad for a light and healthy lunch.

You will need about 2 lemons for this recipe. You can freeze the unused egg whites and use them later in friands, omelettes or a pavlova. VARIATIONS You can make this recipe with other citrus fruit, simply replace the lemon rind and juice with the same amount of rind and juice of whatever citrus fruit […]

Fennel using a smell test: a sweet, not sour, smell indicates freshness. Look for upright green fronds and a bulb that’s not bruised or slimy. Can store for up to 3 days in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Fennel loses its flavour quickly, so use as soon as possible. Remove the outer layer of […]

The ‘religieuse’ is meant to resemble a nun in a habit. Note

Once you have your technique sorted, these little triangles of tasty goodness can be flipped and folded and put together in no time.

Mastic is available from shops that stock Greek and Middle Eastern food. Note