Side

If time allows, stand salad for 10 minutes before serving. Swap tuna for salmon or shredded cooked chicken. Note

Use any small pasta shape. Note

Low fat: Spray tofu with cooking oil spray; grill under a preheated oven-grill on high for 2 minutes each side or until golden. Patting tofu dry with paper towels removes excess moisture and prevents tofu breaking when cooked. Note

Drizzle salad with lemon juice instead of bought dressing. Swap lamb for beef or chicken sausages. Use kumara instead of carrot. Note

Use shredded cooked chicken breast instead of antipasto vegetables. Note

Baby pak choy has green, shaped stems and soft leaves with a mild flavour. If unavailable, use baby buk choy, which has white stalks and firmer leaves. Note

Use cos lettuce leaves instead of mixed salad. Use packaged microwave long-grain white rice. Use a barbecued chicken instead of tuna. Note

Instead of lentils, use chickpeas or any type of canned beans, such as kidney or butter beans. Note

This light and fresh salad makes for a quick, healthy dinner after a weekend of indulging.

Gow gee wrappers are with the refrigerated or frozen foods section of supermarkets. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to make long thin ribbons of carrot and cucumber. Note

Replace trussed cherry tomatoes with regular cherry tomatoes. Scatter over some fresh basil leaves. Note

Vegetarian: Use vegetable stock cubes instead of chicken. Note

To help beans stay bright green after cooking, don’t thaw them first. Serve with char-grilled chicken breast, or pork that’s been sprinkled with ground cumin Add extra heat by replacing the long red chilli with a fresh small red chilli. You can use 1 teaspoon ground cumin in place of mustard seeds. Note

Stir the cooked vegetable mixture into couscous for a more substantial side. Serve with roast or grilled lamb. Note

Panko are Japanese dried breadcrumbs, available from the Asian food aisle of supermarkets. Use packaged dried breadcrumbs; the colour and texture will vary. Note

Serve bread warm or cold with soups and casseroles. Note

Add 1 teaspoon dijon mustard to yogurt dressing. Keep chicken poaching liquid to use as stock. Chicken: Breast fillets and tenderloins are the leanest cuts of chicken. They’ll remain tender and succulent when you poach them. Low-fat natural yogurt: It adds creaminess to any dressing. It also works well with any flavour combination. Nuts: While […]

Gluten-free: Use gluten-free baking powder and replace self-raising flour with gluten free corn flour. Start frying just before serving. Note

To sterilise jars, wash jars in hot soapy water, rinse well and place upside-down on a wire rack to dry. Preheat oven to 160°C/140°C fan forced; heat clean jars in oven for 30 minutes. Carefully remove from oven; use immediately. Note

You can use any type of white vinegar. Note

Use 3 x 400g cans corn, drained, instead of fresh. Steam pumpkin instead of roasting. Cooking time will vary. Use spreadable cream cheese mixed with 2 tablespoons water instead of cream. Note

Place beans in a food processor with your favourite spice to create a simple instant puree. Note

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

Buy loose mixed salad instead of a packet. Assemble salad just before serving. Leftovers? Use remaining sour dough bread stick for sandwiches. Note

To blanch beans, place them in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain well. Pink salmon can be used instead of tuna, if preferred. Use any bought vinaigrette or salad dressing. Note

Use milk instead of beer. Make 1 large damper instead of 6 small ones. Bake for 30 minutes. Note

You can replace the parmesan with grated cheddar cheese. To freeze: Wrap loaf in plastic food wrap, then freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature. Note

Vegetarian: Replace bacon with 1/2 cup sun-dried tomato strips. Replace jalapenos with 1 finely chopped fresh long green chilli. To make buttermilk Place 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice in a measuring jug. Add enough reduced-fat milk to make 1 cup; stir. Mixture will thicken slightly. For 1 1/2 cups, place 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon […]

Use a vegetable peeler to shave zucchini into long, thin ribbons, or coarsely grate. Add walnuts just before serving, to give salad a nutty crunch. To transport: Carry salad and dressing separately in airtight containers. Cover and keep chilled. Place walnuts in a small, resealable food storage bag, then transport separately. Toss together just before […]

This is a delicious quick and easy starter or side for any meal. The combination of salty, crisp bacon with sweet honey roasted carrots is a match made in heaven.

Serve with whole roast fish or chicken. Note

Light, crispy and wonderfully moorish, enjoy these tasty homemade kumara chips as a healthier version of the once-naughty snack.

Use yellow capsicum instead of red; chopped regular roma tomato instead of mini. Note

Use baby spinach leaves or fresh herbs instead of rocket. Use any type of canned beans in this recipe. Note

Cover wonton wrappers with a damp tea-towel to prevent drying out. Use Chinese cabbage (wombok) instead of regular cabbage. Ketjap manis is an Indonesian sweet soy sauce available in the Asian food section. You can use 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce combined with 1 teaspoon brown sugar instead. Note

Cover filo pastry with a damp tea- towel to prevent it drying out. Use a combination of fresh ricotta and fetta in the filling. Note

You can serve this salsa as a dip with corn chips, or as a side to barbecued fishand barbecued chicken. Try it also in a Mexican wrap with grilled beef. Note

Save time: Use the shredding attachment on your food processor to shred cabbage thinly. Note

Make ahead: You can make pita crisps a day ahead; store in an airtight container in a cool place. Note

Cut potatoes and kumara into 3mm-thick slices or use a mandolin. Note

Make ahead: Prepare mince mixture up to 2 days ahead; keep, covered, in fridge For great party food, try chat (baby) potatoes; cooking time will vary. Which potato? Floury potatoes are best for roasting. Check package details or ask your greengrocer. . Save time: You can microwave potatoes. Pierce with a skewer before cooking. Microwave […]

It’s important to cook the chorizo over moderate heat so the juices in the pan don’t evaporate. You’ll need 1 large lemon. Grate zest from lemon before juicing. Note

We used extra virgin olive oil for added flavour; you can use vegetable or olive oil instead. Assemble beans just before serving to prevent avocado becoming soft. Save time: Combine beans and avocado with a 300g jar of bought mild tomato salsa. Note

Try zucchini or green beans instead of capsicum. Canned cherry tomatoes in juice are in the canned vegetables aisle; use canned diced tomatoes if unavailable. Canned beans are packed in salty brine. Always drain and rinse the beans before you use them. You can use any variety of canned beans in place of another in […]

Swap 2 teaspoons wholegrain mustard for tapenade. Make ahead: Prepare salad a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Store croutons in an airtight container. Add to salad just before serving. Note

Replace kumara with pumpkin. Add a thinly sliced fresh long red chilli. Note

Whip up these gifts from the heart for a song in your home kitchen.

For a less smoky taste, replace half the smoked paprika with mild paprika. Note

Prepare all vegetables a day ahead. Coat with sugar and herbs before baking. To reduce staining other vegetables with beetroot, leave a little of the stem on when trimming. Use rosemary, thyme or sage instead of lemon thyme. You can also use green capsicum, parsnip or potato. Note

Use shredded barbecued chicken breast instead of smoked chicken. Note

Make ahead: Prepare pita chips a day ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature. Make dip a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Buy char-grilled capsicum at the deli counter or in jars from the condiment aisle of the supermarket. Tahini (sesame seed paste) is in the health food aisle. If unavailable, use smooth […]

Use 3/4 cup grated tasty cheese instead of parmesan. Low fat: Omit cream. Use light dairy spread instead of butter. Use reduced-fat parmesan and milk. Note

Use chicken thigh fillets instead of beef rump steak. Prepare chilli jam (step 1 and 2) up to 2 days ahead. Save time and use store bought chilli jam. Note

Brush asparagus and salmon with a little oil before char-grilling on a char-grill preheated to medium. Asparagus will need about 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, and the salmon about 3-4 minutes each side or to taste. You can remove bones from salmon before or after cooking. Use a wide-bladed vegetable peeler to cut Lebanese cucumber into […]

This recipe uses Jap pumpkin, but, you could use butternut, Kent or blue, if preferred. Note

Remember to cut steak across the grain for maximum tenderness Note

If you don’t like blue cheese, try using sliced brie or camembert. Olive oil can be used in place of macadamia oil. Note

You can replace the Balmain bugs with prawns, lobster or cooked fish. Note

To give the topping a crispy texture, combine the cheese with 1/2 cup of fresh bread crumbs. Note

These vegetables are readily available from most supermarkets in jars or from the deli section. Note

To achieve a light result, it’s important to handle scone or damper dough quickly and gently. makes 6 Note

This creamy, buttery pate is so simple to make yet so full of flavour. Don't leave it for special occasions only!

Chicken, spinach and feta parcels

For extra flavour, use chicken stock in place of boiling water. Note

Add some chopped bacon or pancetta and crushed garlic to the pan with the onion if desired. Note

Herbs de provence is a dried herb and spice mixture available from most supermarkets and delis. Note

Onion, swede or sweet potato may be added to this mixture. Note

Mixed bean salad is one of those quintessential summer picnic foods. This simple and delicious mixed bean salad is so easy to make, full of flavour and perfect as a side dish.

If you've got 15 minutes and are looking for a delicious and simple appetiser to start off your favourite Italian meal, then this mixed bruschetta recipe is for you.

Use all lentils and add more chilli for extra bite, if preferred. Note

Before adding spinach, place in a sieve and press out excess liquid with a spoon. Cup mushrooms are larger than button mushrooms, deeper in colour and flavour, and great for stuffing. Note

To hard boil eggs, cook in boiling water for 5-6 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Peel and cut each egg into quarters. Note

makes 4 cups Test for “gel” by placing some jam on a chilled plate. It’s ready if wrinkles form when touched. Sterilise jars in 150°C oven for 10-15 minutes. Note