Cheese

Use a potato variety suitable for roasting. You can use kumara instead; cooking time will vary. Use 250g packet frozen chopped spinach. Note

Make ahead: For best results, bake ricotta a day ahead. Cover with plastic food wrap; chill until required. Stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. This dish is a tasty addition to an antipasto platter. Note

Paneer is firm ricotta-style Indian cheese and can also be bought at supermarkets. Replace cream with coconut milk. Note

Use any flavoured coating mix. Freeze croquettes for up to 3 months. Note

Use 2 medium regular tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes. For a meaty version, add shredded barbecue chicken. Note

Any short, shaped pasta will work in this recipe. Try any combo of cheeses you like. Use a mixture of cream and cream cheese. Note

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

Use leftover shredded barbecued chicken or add or few sliced mushrooms. You’ll need to process 3 slices white day-old bread for breadcrumbs. Note

Try a combination of potato and kumara for crust. Salmon bones are a great source of calcium. Note

Use a combination of ricotta and spreadable cream cheese. Note

Weighing down the terrine will make slicing easier. Note

To freeze dough: wrap dough portions separately in plastic food wrap, then in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw 15 minutes, at room temperature. Add cheese and poppy seed mix to dough. Note

Replace pizza cheese with grated cheddar, if desired. Pizza cheese contains grated cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan. Add a little butter and milk to scooped-out cooked potato; mash. Cover and refrigerate. Use the next day. Make salsa just before serving to prevent avocado discolouring. Note

Swap tart shells for vol-au-vent cases. Use sweet chilli sauce instead of tomato paste. Make ahead: Prepare vegetable mixture a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

Make ahead Prepare croquettes to the end of Step 2 a day ahead. To shallow-fry, add oil to a depth of 4cm. Kumara is orange sweet potato. Note

You could use two 400g Turkish pide, cut in half crosswise, then thinly sliced lengthwise. You can macerate figs up to a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

Wipe mushrooms with paper towels. Store mushrooms in a brown paper bag in the fridge. 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

Combine dissolved gelatine and cream cheese mixture at the same temperature to prevent lumps from forming in cheesecake. Note

Buy a frozen round savoury pastry shell. Fill with quiche mixture, then bake as packet directs. To prevent pastry shrinking too much when baking blind, freeze pastry-lined tart pan until firm, then bake frozen. Note

Use thawed frozen spinach instead of baby spinach leaves. Squeeze out excess liquid before using. Try semi-dried tomatoes instead of capsicum. No ovenproof frying pan? Cover handle with layers of foil to prevent it burning. Note

Use bought guacamole dip. The price will vary. Swap the flour tortillas for gluten-free wraps. For meat lovers, use 400g browned beef mince instead of kidney beans. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. This savoury loaf would be ideal for a picnic. Note

Uncooked gnocchi suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Julie Biuso shares her crafty, clever ways to turn out fabulous meals night after night

Try drained canned chickpeas instead of lima beans. Add chopped avocado to salad. Chill crumbed chicken for 30 minutes before cooking. Try sliced green stuffed olives instead of kalamatas. Note

We used thin pork steaks (sold as ‘uncrumbed pork schnitzels’), available in packets at most supermarkets or your butcher. Make sure your frying pan has a flameproof handle; if it doesn’t, wrap handle in several layers of foil to protect it from the heat. Note

Pizza cheese is a combination of grated mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar cheese. Note

Crepes are in the bakery and frozen food aisles of supermarkets. Note

Uncrumbed beef schnitzel steaks are also known as beef ‘sizzle steaks’ in supermarkets. Note

Gluten-free: Use gluten-free sausages and gluten-free pizza base spread with a little tomato paste. Note

For extra colour and flavour, add small pieces of roast pumpkin or kumara (orange sweet potato). To make a delicious quiche, blind bake a shortcrust pastry shell made from a frozen (thawed) shortcrust pastry sheet, then pour in frittata mixture; bake. Note

You can use any type of filled pasta. You’ll find agnolotti in the chilled fresh pasta section of any supermarket. Use kumara (orange sweet potato) instead of pumpkin. Note

Prepare rissoles to end of Step 1 up to a day ahead. Place on a plate lined with baking paper. Cover, then refrigerate. You’ll need 1 bunch parsley for this recipe. Use beef, pork, chicken or turkey mince instead of lamb. Use greek, moroccan or lemon pepper spice mix instead of cajun. Note

You can use canned tuna instead of salmon. Note

Use shredded cooked chicken breast instead of antipasto vegetables. Note

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

For a milder variation, you can use shaved ham instead of salami. Children may like pineapple instead of artichokes. Replace basil dip with roasted capsicum, chilli or spinach dip. Fresh pizza bases are available in the chilled section of the supermarket. Note

You’ll need 2 tablespoons juice for the icing. Note

To freeze, cut cooked gozleme in half. Wrap individually in foil, then in two layers of plastic food wrap. Label, date and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight. To reheat: Thaw gozleme; brush with oil. Cook in a large frying pan over moderately high heat for 1-2 minutes each side or […]

Spread a little pesto on bread slices. Place bread pesto-side inwards when sandwiching. Note

You could use any cooked meat or leftover vegetables as filling. Note

A decadent tiramisu with coffee, cream cheese and ricotta with a lovely light sponge. This tiramisu recipe is simple yet indulgent, especially with cocoa powder dusted on top.

You’ll need to cook 1 cup basmati rice to get 2 cups cooked. Note

To cool blueberry mixture quickly to room temperature, spread on a baking tray. Note

Vegetarian: Use vegetable stock cubes instead of chicken. 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

Use tasty cheese instead of pizza cheese. Only have one baking tray? Bake one pizza at a time. Add crisp bacon to the topping. Try baby spinach leaves instead of rocket. Note

Make pizzas just before serving. Roast capsicum is at the deli counter. Make ahead: Grate potato ahead of time; toss a little lemon juice through to prevent-potato browning before cooking. The right grater: Use the coarse side of a grater; vegetables will hold shape better on cooking. For crisp rosti: Squeeze out as much liquid […]

Sun-dried tomato tapenade can be found in the oils, sauces and bottled vegetable section of your supermarket, alongside olives and pasta sauce. Note

Swap parmesan for 120g fresh ricotta. Note

Use wholemeal flour with the addition of oat bran, a soluble fibre, to lower the GI of the muffins. Note

For a stronger flavour, use a mixture of dill and parsley. Try large zucchini instead of eggplant. Note

Stand filo pastry at room temperature for 1 hour before using. Note

If self-raising flour is unavailable, use 1 cup plain flour mixed with 2 teaspoons baking powder. For a vegetarian option, omit bacon and add 100g crumbled feta with the cheddar cheese. Note

If bites burst during cooking, tum oven temperature to a lower heat; cook until golden. You’ll need 1/4 small barbecued chicken, skin and bones removed. Note

Use kumara (orange sweet potato) instead of pumpkin. Price will vary. Make smaller bakes to eat on the run. Spoon macaroni mixture into a greased 12-hole (1/3-cup) muffin tray, then bake for 15 minutes. Note

Be careful not to overcook your pasta in Step 2. The macaroni will continue cooking in the oven. Note

Coarsely grate extra vegetables, such as carrot or zucchini, and add to mixture before cooking. Make ahead; cook fritters a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Serve cold, at room temperature or reheat gently in microwave Make ahead; cook macaroni a day ahead. Once cooked, rinse under cold, running water to refresh and stop the cooking […]

The ultimate comfort food, whip up a gorgeous homemade lasagne dish for your family tonight. Layered with chunky beef pieces, tender pasta and a cheesy sauce, it is packed full of flavour.

For best results, cook pizzas just before serving. Note

Like more dumplings? Double dumpling mixture; spoon the extra 16 measures onto a baking paper-lined baking tray, then bake on bottom shelf as goulash cooks. Note

Use thickened (not coconut) cream. Note

Serve with bacon or sausages. Replace chives with basil, parsley or green onions. Egg-white omelets are best made just before serving. For perfectly round omelets, cook them in oiled egg rings or a 7cm round cookie cutter. Note

These little treats are easy to make.

Use 2 thinly sliced roma tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes. Price will vary. To thaw frozen peas quickly, place in a colander in the sink. Pour boiling water over; refresh under cold running water. Note

You’ll find drumettes and wingettes at the deli or meat counters in the supermarket Marinate chicken up to a day ahead. Cook chicken on a shallow baking tray to catch cooking juices. You can swap blue cheese for 90g cream cheese. 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

You’ll need 6 large paper muffin cases for this recipe. Note

Use any type of plain un-iced biscuits. Note

Using a V-slicer or mandolin makes slicing onions quick and easy. If slicing by hand, halve lengthwise first to make slicing easier. Note

Have all your ingredients ready before you start to cook. Omelettes take only a few minutes to cook. Don’t stir egg mixture in the pan; it will scramble the eggs. For ease of folding, always place filling to one side of omelette. Omelettes should be tender and soft. Don’t overcook or they will become tough […]

Make noodle cakes just before serving. For a stronger cheese flavour, replace half the mozzarella with cheddar or parmesan. Use cooked bacon instead of ham. Note

You’ll need to process 4 slices of day-old white bread to make 1 3/4 cups breadcrumbs. Buy fresh ricotta at the deli counter. Don’t use smooth ricotta (sold in tubs); it has a higher moisture content. Note

Goat cheese has a distinctive taste. If you’re not a fan, you can use fresh ricotta. Buttermilk is slightly soured milk. If unavailable you can make your own by stirring 1 tablespoon lemon juice into 1 cup skim milk and letting it stand for 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Note

Lightly spray measuring cup with oil before adding honey to make it easy to pour. Fresh ricotta is much firmer than packaged ricotta. 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

Serve with steamed greens or buttered peas. You can replace brie with fresh ricotta. Use pork leg steaks or medallions instead of cutlets. Cooking time will vary. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to shoe zucchini into long thin ribbons. Note

Use crumbled fetta instead of haloumi. Serve this salad with grilled chicken or fish. Lemon Oregano Dressing: Makes 1/2 Cup Buying: Cucumber should be bright green, blemish free and feel firm (no soft spots). Preparing: Wash, then slice. Peel tough skin from large fruit only. Remove seeds only if they are large and bitter. Note