Lunch

I dare not say it, but I like eating this as much, if not more than, the roasted bird on the day The creaminess of the pie filling combined with the crunchy topping is deliriously good.

‘Tis the season for eggplants! Turn them into these ideal “burgers”, which will satisfy everyone at the party this summer, not just vegetarians. These are a flavour explosion, pure and simple.

This is my version of a po’ boy, the Louisiana sandwich that is stuffed with fried shrimp or oysters and plenty of spicy mayo. My baguettes crammed with garlic prawns and creamy curry mayo will be a sure hit!

Farro is a type of grain with a nutty flavor and adds wonderful texture to this salad of prawns, beetroot and kale finished with a sprinkling of sumac.

Try this lovely quiche, dotted with beetroot, peas and feta

This salad is a winning combo of balsamic-glazed beetroot and earthy Brussels sprouts topped with feta and pine nuts

Puff pastry provides a bed for delicious beetroot and broccoli in this classic tart

This couscous salad is dotted with roasted vegetables, lightly spiced chickpeas and fresh mint

Liven up roasted beetroot with a salty, zesty feta crumble

I've used rice flour here, as a gluten-free option, but any flour is fine. In fact, the fish can simply be sprinkled with seeds before cooking for an even quicker version

Spiced carrot, apple & raisin salad with lamb brought to you by Taste.

You will fall in love with this simple, fresh and tasty salad. Pickled vegetables are teamed with crab and then finished off with a tangy sesame dressing, creating a bowlful of flavours that work together perfectly.

A whole side of salmon makes a great Christmas treat.

Get your butcher to de-bone and butterfly a decent-sized pork loin, then take your time to roll it around the stuffing before roasting to perfection.

A favourite from the Dear Jervois menu.

There was much debate as to the origins of this recipe and the short story goes like this: photographer Jani’s husband, Alec, created it, my kids loved it and then recreated it themselves. When I announced that I was going to share Alec’s recipe here, 10-year-old Maude disappeared and then presented me a short time later with a carefully written recipe for ‘her’ potato salad. So here it is: my version of Alec and Maude’s potato salad. Recipe by Fiona Hugues. Photo by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Succulent juicy turkey 
with a mouthwatering apricot and 
almond stuffing. The perfect dish for Christmas lunch!

I’ve always been a big fan of eating octopus and tend to order it whenever I see it on a menu. We’ve been playing around with this dish for a while and the result looks a picture, and more to the point - eats like a dream! While we’ve given you the steps to tackle the octopus prep, it can be a bit daunting so you can always ask your fishmonger to do this part for you. - Al Brown

This salad is full of flavour. Bitter greens cut through richness of the confit duck, the pear adds sweetness and the walnuts texture. While pinot noir tends to be a typical wine match for many duck dishes, we found a rose worked better with the bitter greens - perfect for a lighter summer meal. - Al Brown

Try this light and tasty way of preparing raw fish. Although coconut milk is often used in the Pacific for this dish, it makes a refreshing change to leave it out.

These are simply the best fish cakes. It might take a little extra effort to make a thick béchamel as well as mashed potato, but once you've made them, I know you'll agree it is worth the effort

A vibrant Middle Eastern-style quinoa salad filled with roasted pumpkin, cauliflower and herbs and topped with a tahini and pomegranate dressing

This recipe makes 4 delicious pies with 3 cups of a tangy peach relish to accompany and to save for another dish.

Cook this pizza on the barbecue for a smoky base.

There's a real art to creating the perfect chicken club sandwich - get organised by clearing a space and having all your ingredients at the ready!

This asparagus and blue cheese salad says 'summer', combining savoury veges with the sweetness of strawberries and a dusting of blue cheese. Photography by Todd Eyre

This is Nicki Wickes' go-to summer salad of choice when asked to bring a plate - a salad of rice noodles, prawns and pawpaw

This Christmas salad is delicious made fresh, but improves even more if refrigerated overnight. Recipe and photography by Bauer Syndication.

Stuck for ideas for your Christmas banquet? The crowd will love these vodka-pickled prawns with Tabasco mayonnaise. Recipe and photography by Bauer Syndication.

Serve up Poderi Crisci's seafood full salad and wow your long lunch guests. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Waiheke vineyard and restaurant Poderi Crisci's venison recipe is a colour and taste explosion. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Fran Abdallaoui and Pamela Clark share their recipe for a salad with green papaya, a classic Vietnamese and Thai ingredient.

Bored of soggy sandwiches? These nutritious lunch box ideas from Holly Cuthbert at Square One Health and Fitness will put the bounce back into your break.

This Asian-flavoured loin with crunchy crackling and a super-tangy, quick cucumber pickle. Will be sure to impress. Tip: Start a day ahead to dry out the pork skin.

Past and present ideas combine in this perfect Christmas turkey recipe. Recipe and photography by Bauer Syndication.

Family-owned vineyard and restaurant Poderi Crisci adds Italian flair and passion to its roasted quail recipe. Recipe by Luca Villari & Antonio Crisci. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Inspired by the yakitori bars in Japan these meat skewers are grilled for a delicious smoky flavour. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Making homemade sausage rolls for a party shows you care. Roll out these chicken, mushroom and thyme beauties for the perfect party snack. Photography by Todd Eyre.

These can be prepped in advance and then baked at the last minute to make banging hot dogs that are full of punch from mustard and sauerkraut, and gooey with melting cheese. Photography by Todd Eyre.

This dish of dark puy lentils with glistening strings of roasted red tomatoes will make your summer plates picture perfect. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Lightly baked fish and zingy aioli is quite possibly the perfect summer dish. The large fillets make for easy cooking and it’s also really good the next day eaten cold. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

This sweet and succulent pineapple glazed ham is the perfect addition for Christmas lunch. A delicious dish to share with family and friends.

With feta, herbs and quinoa, this is not your average carrot soup. Photography by Bauer Syndication.

These gourmet baked potatoes with extra paprika cream have a rustic charm. Photographs by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Celebrity chef Simon Gault shares his light chicken salad recipe with perfect pesto. Photography by Sarah Tuck.

This salad is bright and bold with a haphazard array of edible flowers that even famed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo would be proud of. Photography by Jani Shepherd / Gatherum Collectif.

There’s nothing like the flavour of freshly podded peas gathered in a luxurious free-range egg, crème fraîche and gruyère cheese filling with lashings of aromatic herbs.

Pickled kahawai brought to you by Taste. Part of a sustainable dining event by Taste and Lincoln University. Recipe by: Michael Smith, photography by: Jani Shepherd and styling by: Fiona Hugues.

A simple Carpaccio is not only beautiful to look at on the plate but sensationally soft and delicious to eat – try it at your next soiree and really impress your guests.

Sometimes you just feel like a grainy something and this wild rice and lentil salad does it. Simple but substantial, its exotic flavours and textures make a great meal, or serve it as a swanky side.

Luca Villari teaches the basics from his Al Volo pizzeria. Photography by Todd Eyre.

You can now have this taleggio treat from Al Volo pizzeria at home. Luca Villari from the Auckland pizzeria shares his recipe. Photography Todd Eyre.

These delicious haloumi burgers are so good, you won't even miss the meat. The creamy mint mayonnaise perfectly balances the spicy harissa.

We’re blessed in New Zealand with relatively easy access to wonderful seafood. Any fish works well with this recipe but one with the skin on will really crisp up on the barbecue & add crunch. Easily grilled outdoors, teamed with super fresh leaves it makes a lovely lunch or a fresh summer evening meal.

This salad combines creamy goat’s cheese and mascarpone with balsamic-roasted beets, roasted radishes and baby carrots. The roasted radishes transform from spicy little beasts to sublime mellow mouthfuls. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

A seafood lover's dream pizza from Al Volo pizzeria. Photography by Todd Eyre.

This delicious Tuscan-style tart is kind of like a savoury pancake, layered with courgettes, spring onions, feta and other goodies. It makes a lovely lunch dish served with a simple green salad. Photography by Valentin Ozich.

Al Volo pizzeria's Luca Villari shares his stromboli recipe, a turnover topped with even more delicious ingredients. Photography by Todd Eyre.

These cheesy little tarts flavoured with fresh herbs offer the perfect solution to lunch or a light dinner. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

This nourishing pumpkin and feta free-form tart makes a healthy and delicious dinner, lunch or tea any day of the week!

Reinvent a childhood favourite with these lentil sausage rolls with tomato sumac salad - tasty, wholesome and completely meat free!

Spaghetti-like strands are created from zucchini in this recipe instead of any actual pasta, which also makes this dish a great gluten-free option.

This vegetarian buckwheat, mushroom and sage risotto is a delicious creamy filler, perfect for lunch and dinner.

Make every Monday meat-free with delicious vegetarian options. Such as these golden crumbed brown rice cake patties and stir-fried vegetables, sprinkled with seaweed.

This fish-curing method is centuries old and salmon on rye with crème fraîche is a catering classic. Start preparation for this dish three days ahead. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Full of flavour, this pork sausage pizza is straight out of Al Volo pizzeria's wood fired oven. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Add some new Italian flavours to your pizza repertoire with this recipe from Al Volo pizzeria located in Grafton, Auckland. Photography by Todd Eyre.

A wonderful salad or side, which could accompany roast chicken or pork chops. Recipe by Alex Davies. Photography by Petra Mingneau.

Veg it up! Replace the fish with a thin plain omelette or slices of marinated tofu.

Quinoa is one of only a handful of vegetarian ingredients that on their own contain all nine essential amino acids, making it a perfect meat substitute. Veg it up! By leaving the chicken out of the guacamole.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing two old dames who could each put together a knock-out egg sandwich. Sadly, they’re no longer here so these little French-style toasts are my salute to them. Thank you, Ruby and Jean. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Tender pepper-crusted beef with mustard and crème fraîche sauce - a hearty, delicious dish and a perfect addition to your family feast.

Since Christmas is all about indulgent fresh seafood, enjoy these delicious prawn cocktails with zucchini and mint salad. Perfect for the warm weather!

Christmas wouldn't be complete without turkey! Enjoy this deliciously succulent turkey roll with sweet cherry and almond stuffing. Easy, delicious, and perfect for the festive season!

Gather up the family and enjoy this fresh lobster with fennel salad - the perfect seafood dish for the festive season (or any time).

Fresh and full of flavour - oysters with chilli and ginger dressing. The perfect Summer meal.

The combination of sweet kumara, crisped bacon and juicy burnt orange segments makes for a mouth-watering warm salad that can be a meal in and of itself! Photography by Todd Eyre.

Enjoy hot-smoked trout with fresh coconut, drizzled with a nutty peanut nam jim. Authentically Thai and so delicious - perfect for the festive season!

This shaking beef is so-called due to the way the beef is cooked high and fast, shaking it in the pan as it cooks. The juicy chunks of meat and generous use of greens, including celery leaves, basil and spinach, alongside lentils, means this dish packs a huge nutrient punch and is perfect for waking up the taste buds. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Luca Villari of Al Volo pizzeria in Auckland shares his recipe for Italian pizza dough. Photography by Todd Eyre.

If you have any leftover stale bread save it to use in this savoury bread pudding. You can also veg it up! Forget the ham and replace it with 4 slices drained, sliced, roasted red capsicum.

Indulge in the delicious combination of cherry, walnut and feta in this fresh wholesome salad - a perfect addition to Christmas lunch this year!

Green goodness and absolutely delicious! These vege-quarian pea and prawn patties can be made a day ahead, and served with our watercress salad and lemon mustard dressing.

This crispy flatbread-style pizza tastes just as good as it looks! With a flavour explosion of kumara, prosciutto, mozzarella and balsamic vinegar, you'll definitely be wanting more than one slice.

Pan-fried ravioli is such a textural treat with a crisp exterior and molten cheese centre. We’ve paired it with a zingy herb sauce to cut through the richness.

Vegetarians, no longer will you miss out on the BLAT! We've created the most scrumptious gourmet tempah BLAT sandwich recipe, with fried bacon style strips of tempeh and a juicy beetroot relish.

Excite your taste buds with this tender, juicy char-grilled sirloin steak, and creamy garlic butter. Perfect for your next BBQ or family lunch.

Deliciously moist and tender pan fried fish with a fresh lime and coriander butter. Tasty, fresh and wholesome - perfect for dinner any night of the week!

These delicious pot pies are a fantastic option for lunch. Small in size but big on taste, they'll have you wanting more so double the recipe. It's also suitable for diabetics.

Pretty simple and damn good – juicy beef steaks are sandwiched between flatbread with crunchy rocket leaves and plenty of creamy peppery sauce. No room for cutlery preciousness, this is to be eaten outdoors but napkins will definitely be required for the inevitable chin dribbles.