Use Italian-style woodfired bread or brioche if you like. This version of French toast works well as a quick and delicious dessert; serve it up with yoghurt for brunch. Serve with fresh seasonal fruit. Note

If yeast mixture doesn’t bubble after standing, discard, then start again. Note

Use sliced strawberries instead of banana. Note

You could use sun-dried tomato tapenade in place of the pesto, if preferred. Note

To make your own buttermilk: add 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup milk. Stand for 5 minutes. Note

To make wholemeal self-raising flour, sift together 2 teaspoons baking powder and 1 cup wholemeal plain flour; return husks to the mixture. Buttermilk is in the dairy section. Note

Black beans, similar to kidney beans, are sold canned in specialty food shops, same delis and large fruit and vegetable markets. If unavailable, use red kidney beans. Note

Once opened, store oyster sauce in the fridge. For a nutty flavour, sprinkle filling with toasted sesame seeds. if cooking quesadillas in a frying pan, gently press down with on egg lifter during cooking. Note

Instead of turkey, you can use 2 x 250g chicken breast fillets. Cut in half horizontally to make 4 pieces. Omit chilli and serve drizzled with plum sauce. Note

These quick and tasty bolognese melts are full of flavour. Topped with oozy melted cheese, they are great as a quick lunch or after school treat for the kids.

Try making mini wreaths to use as decorations for the Christmas tree or place settings. Note

You can use any low-fat cheese. Note

When egg begins to set, use a wooden spoon to move it gently towards centre of pan. Note

Walnuts provide vitamin E, protein, fibre, polyunsaturated fats, omega-3 fats and folate. Note

Char-grilled vegies are sometimes cheaper at the deli counter. Note

You’ll find scone mix in the baking aisle. No slice pan? Line a 12-hole (1/3-cup) muffin tray with paper cases. Shape dough into 12 small balls; place in prepared holes. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden and cooked. You can use canned or bottled roasted capsicum; drain, then chop. Note

You will need about 5 medium over-ripe bananas to make a cup of mashed banana. Note

Have everything chopped and prepared before you start cooking. Tempt kids by serving ingredients in separate bowls for self-service. Note

Use frozen potato wedges; cook as packet directs. Cooking time and price will vary. Note

These delicious sweet baked fingers iced with a sweet glaze are a classic dessert that children from every generation loved.

Tasty and filling crispy chicken schnitzel burgers with bacon and iceberg lettuce drizzled with sweet chilli mayonnaise and served with golden kumara chips - ready in just minutes.

Jazz up breakfast this weekend with Chorizo toasts with mushrooms!

Use a vegetable peeler to slice cucumber into long, thin ribbons. Note

Use mild, medium or hot taco sauce to taste. Note

We used American skinless hot dogs. Cook hot dogs in boiling water 5-6 minutes or until hot, instead of microwaving. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to shave long thin cucumber ribbons. Note

Choose prepared lamb patties from the frozen food section of your supermarket or the butchery. Note

Use very ripe bananas. Make ahead: Bake bread up to 3 days ahead. Note

Fresh mandarin combines with homemade toffee to create the topping for this French toast recipe

Serve bread warm or cold with soups and casseroles. 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 […]

Save time – Use bought croutons instead of making your own. Make ahead – Cook croutons a day ahead, then keep in an airtight container. Add olives and basil to salad. To shallow-fry, add oil to a depth of 3cm. For extra protein, serve with 330g low-fat fetta, 480g tofu, 300g baked ricotta or 12 […]

When handling beetroot, wear disposable gloves to avoid staining hands. No sultanas? Use dates or raisins instead. Price will vary. Sour Cream Frosting: MAKES 1CUP Don’t be tempted to use low-fat sour cream – frosting will be too runny Note

Use sultanas, raisins or dried dates instead of fresh figs. Note

White chocolate and raspberry chelsea scrolls

Slice eggplant just before cooking or it will oxidize and go brown. Note

For maximum flavour, use juicy ripe tomatoes. Replace bacon with crumbled fetta. Note

You can omit oil and use cooking oil spray on bread instead. Note

3 medium mashed bananas equals 1 1/2 cups. Note

If you prefer, remove crusts from the bread. You could also use other high-fibre types of bread. Sultanas or chopped dates can be used instead of raisins. Note

Make your own guacamole by mashing 2 peeled and seeded avocados with 1 small, diced red onion, juice of 1 lime and 1/2 cup chopped coriander. Season to taste. Note

You can use lebanese bread or lavash in place of mountain bread, if you like. Note

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

Custard is cooked when the point of a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean. When cooked, remove custard from water bath to prevent overcooking Note

Makes 1 loaf Note

For the perfect afternoon treat, create these delightfully sweet finger buns with sultanas. Topped with pink icing these sticky finger buns are sure to go down a treat with the kids.

You could also bake these close together on a baking tray. Make them ahead of time and freeze. Note

makes 24 USe a wide-bladed vegetable peeler to cut cucumber strips. Cut into pieces, then fold in half to place on patties. Note

Make your own breadcrumbs by processing chunks of crustless day-old bread in your food processor. Note

Turkey doesn�t just have to be for Christmas, its makes for delicious burgers too. Turkey is a lean but flavoursome meat, perfect for burgers topped with cranberry sauce and melted cheese.

You’ll need about 2 zucchinis and 1 carrot for this recipe. Pepitas are edible pumpkin seeds with hulls removed, commonly used in Mexican cooking. They are available salted, roasted or raw. Note

Before baking, use a floured knife to score the top of the dough to form six or eight segments. Note

Make honey easier to drizzle by heating in the microwave oven on high (100%) power for 10 seconds. Note

You can add a finely chopped hard boiled egg, if you like. Note

For easy incorporation, you could try using Devondale Dairy Soft instead of butter. Sprinkle the top of the damper with extra grated cheese before baking. Replace chives with a combination of other herbs such as parsley and thyme. Note

Breadcrumbs are a great way to use up leftover bread. Make a large quantity and freeze so you always have them on hand. Note

Use up leftover loaves to create this delicious and comforting pudding, with added prunes and chocolate.

This loaf also freezes really well – so why not double the recipe and make one for later as well?

Remake the classic and indulgent finger buns with sultanas in a few simple steps with this finger bun recipe by Woman's Day. These pink iced finger buns are a real afternoon tea winner.

Try topping your pizza subs supreme-style with tomato paste, salami, ham, green capsicum, olives, pineapple and shredded cheese. Use Turkish bread, bread sticks or other bread of choice. Note

Nothing beats indulging in a deliciously sticky hot cross bun with melted butter. Women�s Day brings you the ultimate step-by-step guide for perfectly decorated hot cross buns.

Cook rolls following packet instructions. If preferred, use other rolls of choice. Note