Sarah Bowman presents dinners perfect for those who want to lighten up with the warmer weather

This feisty sauce can also be used as a marinade or dip. It should be at once sharp, pungent, fiery and fresh.

Farro dates back to ancient times and has recently seen a resurgence in popularity. It is full of protein, dietary minerals and vitamins. For this recipe, you’ll need to soak the farro in water overnight.

Sirloin steak is expertly cooked and sliced into strips for these Middle Eastern wraps with hummus and yoghurt

Spicy beef is coated in a salty, sweet, spicy and sour sauce and topped with toasted cashews and coriander. Delicious!

MAKES 16 Note

Cooking onion before mixing it into the mince helps to make the onion in the hamburger more palatable and digestible. Note

2 OF 5-A-DAY, Halve it, Super Easy Note

Beef and zucchini rissoles, beef recipe, brought to you by Good Food

You will need 1 2/3 cups raw rice to make 5 cups of cooked rice for this recipe. Note

3 of 5-a-day, next day’s lunch The cooking liquid from this dish makes tasty stock for soups and stews. Store in the fridge for up to 3-4 clays, or freeze for up to 3 months. Note

You can have this delicious dinner on the table in under 15 minutes! Slices of steak, julienned vegetables, noodles and loads of fresh herbs make for one satisfying supper

If you think the kids may not like the taste of smoked paprika- even though it isn’t hot – try sweet paprika instead. Add at little of the smoked next little. so they gradually become accustomed to the flavour. Note

It’s important to remove the beef from the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to cook it, and let it stand at room temperature for this time. This will reduce the chill in the meat, and allow it to cook more evenly. Note

Low fat, low sat fat, 3 of 5-a-day Shichimi togarashi is a Japanese spice mix that includes dried chilli, as well as aromatics such as sesame seeds, orange peel and nori flakes. It’s available in many supermarkets and Asian grocers. Note

Packed full of protein and flavour, this healthy sirloin steak dish is great for a quick family dinner. Serve topped with a zesty salsa verde and crispy kumara chips for a delicious meal.

A timeless dish, the combination of this fragrant meat and tomato sauce with perfectly cooked spaghetti is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

There'll be no complaints from the family when you serve up this tasty noodle dish. They may even come back for seconds!

The beef stock can be made well ahead. It will freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. To make it easier to slice the beef fillet thinly, freeze the beef for 1-2hours, until half-frozen. Note

This delicious stir-fry takes minutes to make using thick, fresh hokkien noodles.

This beef bourguignon recipe is full of flavour and cabernet melot - the ultimate winter dish!

Keeping times: Use the leftover Asian gremolata within 1 day of making, and the leftover beef within 2 days of cooking. Note

Traditionally made with pork mince, this beef version is a great alternative. Or make it with chicken mince. To make separating the iceburg lettuce leaves easier cut , the bottom off the lettuce and soak in , cold water for 10 mins. Note

This easy Thai beef salad recipe is ready in a flash and is super-healthy with the addition of spinach, cucumber, capsicum and fresh herbs. Don't forget the chilli hit!

Use beef mince instead of strips; cooking time will vary. Note

Try flattened chicken thigh fillets instead of beef; cooking time will vary. Note

It is big! Getting lots of vegetables into the patty not only makes it a lot healthier, but bulks it up while also keeping it light.

You’ll need to process 2 slices day-old white bread to make crumbs. Note

You could substitute poppy seeds for cumin seeds, if preferred. Note

Budget beef rump steak is a less expensive alternative to regular ramp steak. Note

Make pancakes and mince mixture up to 2 days ahead. Both can be frozen separately for up to 3 months. To save time, use bought pancakes. Note

Use hoisin sauce instead of black been sauce. Use pork strips instead of beef. Note

Add 1 cup grated tasty cheese with the sour cream if you like. Note

Make ahead: Crumb beef and store in fridge until ready to cook. Note

So-called Florentine thanks to the addition of spinach, these meatballs are baked with a topping of ricotta, tomato sauce and mozerella making them ultra-delicious.

Budget beef rump is a cheap alternative to rump steak. Note

You can cook beef on the barbecue; cooking time may vary. You can use dijon mustard instead of wholegrain mustard. Note

Toast almonds in wok before you start to stir-fry. You’ll need to cook about 1 cup raw jasmine rice. Note

Moreish curry puffs that are packed full of flavour! Watch these beef mince pastries fly off the platter. They are the perfect finger food, served with mango chutney and fresh salad.

No horseradish cream? Use 2 teaspoons Dijon or wholegrain mustard. Replace lettuce, with a bunch of trimmed watercress or 80g baby rocket. Note

Replace cajun seasoning with taco seasoning. You can use topside or round steak, or chicken thigh fillets. Note

Use green capsicum instead of red if preferred. To save time, use a kettle to boil water for pasta. Note

Try pork and veal mince. Note

Use any rice or egg noodles; follow packet directions Use frozen pre-cut vegie stir-fry mix and stir-fry sauce. Note

Use water instead of stock. You’ll need to cook 1 cup of rice. Budget beef rump is a cheap alternative to rump steak. Note

To make your own mince, process budget rump steak. Note

Try using a Swiss-style cheese or mozzarella instead of tasty. You could also serve rissole stacks in toasted burger buns. Note

Look for pizza bases topped with tomato sauce. Note

Alternatively, you could place the Moroccan spice mix with ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric and dried rosemary. Note

Use a food processor to combine butter with flour, but don’t over-process. Note

Make ahead: Prepare a double quantity uncooked patties for another dinner. DIY idea: Try Turkish pide rolls instead. Note

Budget tip: You can use water instead of chicken stock. You’ll find stir-fry vegetables in the fresh produce section of the supermarket. Note

Save time: Use a bought marinade. To prevent bamboo skewers scorching, soak in cold water for 20 minutes before threading ingredients. Economy beef is a cheaper alternative to regular beef cuts. Note

These beef burgers have a lovely cheesy centre. Serve them with toasted buns and a topping of baba ghanoush and crisp salad.

DIY idea: You can use green beans instead of broccoli. Add unused coconut to breakfast cereal. Note

To freeze: Cool casserole. Spoon into airtight containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight. Choose cheap meat cuts: These have a higher percentage of marbled fat, so won’t toughen during long cooking times. Beef cuts include casserole steak, gravy beef, chuck and blade. Sear meat and chicken first: This locks in […]

Look for mexican chilli powder in the spice aisle of your supermarket. You can also use taco seasoning. Note

These double cheese-topped rissoles are served with a delicious beetroot salad, brought to you by recipes+

Instead of cherry tomatoes, use 2 medium ripe tomatoes chopped. You can substitute large shell or spiral pasta. Note

Potato and coconut cream are not suitable for freezing. Add chopped tomatoes if you like. Do not boil cream as curry may curdle. Note

Brush pastry bags with beaten egg, if you like. If available, you can use wan ton or grow gee wrappers instead of puff pastry. For a slightly more intense flavour, add sesame oil to mince mixture. Chill mixture for 15 minutes before preparing bags. Note

Save time: Make a double batch of rissoles. Use half in sandwiches for lunch. Replace baba ganoush with hummus. Try a mixture of pork and veal mince. Note

Bought patties are available in most supermarkets; use any flavour you prefer. Purchase firm ricotta from the deli counter. Note

This cosy and gorgeously tender beef in red wine is packed with loads of fresh vegetables, topped with smooth mashed potato, creating a beautiful and comforting midweek family meal

Use a baking tray with a small lip to catch beef juices. Ready-marinated beef roasts are in most supermarkets. Note

You can substitute sweet chilli sauce or soy sauce for soy chilli dressing. Note

If you can’t find black bean stir-fry sauce, use 2-3 tablespoons black bean paste; add enough water to coat noodles. Try using trimmed, thinly sliced rump steak instead of beef strips. You’ll find stir-fry vegetables in the fruit and vegetable section. Look for thinly sliced or shredded mixed vegetables. Note

Budget tip: Use large leaves; reserve centre of cabbage for stir-fries or salads. You will need 1 large cabbage for this recipe. Rice will be slightly crunchy but will then soften when rolls are baked. Note