These cute ginger flower cookies create a perfect Christmas or Christening gift. They also come out for high tea or afternoon tea!

Ready in just five minutes, these colourful cocktails will certainly get the party started!

This sublime dessert takes a bit of effort to make but the end result is worth it. You can save time by preparing the ice-cream and the cake in advance of assembling the complete dish.

Enrich and sweeten the festive season with these scrumptious fruit, almond and white chocolate brownie-like squares. They don't exclusively need to be dessert either.

Want to give a twist to a Kiwi favourite for Christmas or a special occasion? Whip up these stunning individual pavlovas ahead of time, then lace them with fresh fruit and shredded coconut.

This ginger cheesecake tastes as absolutely delectable as it looks with fresh slices of juicy mango adorning the top.

Sliced stoned fruit encased by this fluffy and buttery puff pastry becomes a treat that is just simply good.

Nothing pronounces the festive season quite like a classic, decadent steamed pudding. Serve with your choice of brandy butter, custard or ice cream to leave everyone with joy.

Gather your friends for a cup of tea or coffee with these delicious shortbread bikkies filled with glazed cherry pieces and flakes of almond.

These moist, delectable chocolate and peanut cookies can be tailored to your preference for crunchy or chewy and are the ideal snack for any occasion.

Savoury and fruity, this tantalising sauce is worth the wait and guaranteed to be a winner alongside any pork dish or when marking a special occasion.

Create the perfect little snack in no time at all with just three ingredients: icing sugar, cinnamon and all the almonds you can eat.

Quick and easy, these pizzas are just the ticket for a lazy lunch or laidback dinner - just throw in a salad! A great way to use up leftover Christmas ham.

Need a small snack to offer while entertaining but prefer savoury over sweet? These cheese biscuits are just the thing for you but be careful your guests don't gobble them all up before you get to try one!

A delicious mouthful of raspberry and chocolate-hazlenut. Perfect tartlets for any occasion.

Australian family gatherings or celebrations wouldn't be complete without a pav, especially in the warmer months when all our favourite soft fruit is super-ripe and cheap. Or top with any fruit you like - banana, kiwifruit, mango or hulled cherries are all good alternatives.

Luca Villari makes himself a nice cuppa, catches up on his EastEnders and frets briefly about the weather. Nicely in the mood, he presents his ultimate English dish

These classic traditional fruit mince pies get a contemporary revival with chopped fresh peaches. The little ones can help by cutting out the stars.

With an orange zest and parsley stuffing, this turkey roll will be a favourite with the whole family. Serve with Asian greens and rice, or for a traditional Christmas or Christmas in July celebration, serve with baked potatoes.

The perfect side for your roast dinner, serve up a side of this simple brown gravy to pour over your meat and veggies.

Perfect for Christmas, experience wonderfully spiced fruit mince oozing out of this golden, crumbly pastry upon each mouthful.

Gather the kids for some festive baking. They'll love the process of getting their hands dirty with dough and the delicious end result as well!

This cool and colourful summery dessert is a perfect choice to round off that sumptuous Christmas meal.

Enlist the children's help to make and decorate these simple festive biscuits. Make for the family, or wrap to give as gifts.

An unbeatable combination, tender duck breast is beautiful cooked to perfection and served drizzled with a sweet, fruity plum sauce. This dish is easy to make and wonderful when entertaining guests.

Perfect to pop in your Christmas advent calendar or just make as small treats for throughout the week, these apricot and coconut chocolates are absolutely divine.

Bite-size sweets are practically a requirement of Christmas cheer. This recipe is easy to prepare, and they make great gifts.

Traditionally served at Christmas time, these divine baked tarts made with a rich, fruity filling and a golden, crumbly pastry are brilliant enjoyed with a glass of milk or pot of tea.

Try a small star cutter to make a festive ribbon hole. Note

For added indulgence, top with whipped cream. Note

If preferred, substitute cinnamon sugar for caster sugar and cinnamon, available in spice section of supermarkets. Note

Have fun with the stacks – you can change the shape and filling by using flower-shaped fluted cutters and other fruits, such as blueberries. Note

You can use this mixture to make regular-size muffins, if you like. They just need to be cooked for a little more time. Note

Be sure to add the milk in smaller increments to slowly thin out the sauce, and whisk constantly.

Continue the tradition of festive feasting with a boxing day lunch.

Make these divine mini trifles with creamy custard, spiced cake and berry jelly in screw-top jars or takeaway containers.

Rather than simply reheating leftovers, I love to make a whole new meal that’s different to the original dish.

Alexa Johnston bakes a classic fruit-laden pavlova.

You can find premade writing icing and multicoloured cachous in the baking section at supermarkets. Note

There are plenty of great Christmas shapes you can choose from – we used festive star-shaped ones here. Note

Make your own mayo by processing 1 egg and 2 yolks with 1 tablespoon each of lemon juice and dijon mustard in a food processor, until just combined. Add 1/2 cup (125ml) light olive oil, 1 tablespoon at a time, until starting to thicken. Add another 1/2 cup oil in a thin, steady stream, until […]

Cheap but so tasty, here’s our take on an alternative kiwi christmas.

Gingerbread creations brought to you by New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Glaze ham for Christmas then slice it and spice it… here’s Julie Biuso’s menu-winning ham.

Packed full of flavour, this Swedish potato gratin is the ultimate comfort food for the whole family. Serve on it's own straight from the oven, or enjoy as a side dish with your favorite roast meat.

In these enlightened times we feast in all manner of ways on the 25th. But the traditional New Zealand Christmas dinner of a perfectly glazed ham, carrots, spuds and peas followed by a berry-packed and boozily indulgent trifle is still incredibly hard to beat. Sophie Gray aces a classic

Light, fresh and tasty, this healthy zucchini, asparagus and broad bean salad makes the perfect side dish for an outdoor Summer dinner party.

Eleanor Ozich adds a gluten-free twist to traditional Christmas fare

This simple and beautiful apple and sage dish is the perfect side dish to serve alongside dessert or a family roast dinner.

You can't go wrong with a big piece of tender pork meat, surrounded by a thick layer or crunchy golden crackling. Serve with roast vegetables for a beautiful Sunday night family dinner.

This delicious treat looks makes a wonderful Christmas gift for family and friends. And it's gluten-free and dairy-free too!

Eleanor Ozich adds a gluten-free twist to traditional Christmas fare

A timeless Australian dessert, we've put a healthy twist on the classic pavlova, using creamy Greek yoghurt and fresh raspberries to create an irresistible sweet treat for the whole family.

The perfect side dish to any roast dinner, these gorgeous brown sugar and orange glazed carrots are wonderfully sweet and packed full of flavour. You'll have the whole family reaching for more!

These truffles won't last long even if they are the healthiest treats on the table. Gluten-free and dairy-free too, watch them disappear.

These festive goodies are so delicious and healthy there's no need to hold back. And they're gluten-free and dairy-free too!

Eleanor Ozich adds a gluten-free twist to traditional Christmas fare

Christmas recipe our Taste writers have recieved the most compliments for over the years.

Julie Biuso adds a dash of pizazz to vegetable sides, ensuring your summer dining table is alive with colourful, fresh and healthy flavours. Imaginative vegetable sides can turn a meal into a fabulous feast. We’re not talking plain boiled carrots – we’re talking flavour, colour and attitude. Bring in ginger, spices and chilli for a little zing; nuts for the crunch factor; edible flower petals for colour; then yellow and red capsicum to contrast with the green vegetables.

Christmas recipe our Taste writers have recieved the most compliments for over the years.

Christmas recipe our Taste writers have recieved the most compliments for over the years.

Julie Biuso adds a dash of pizazz to vegetable sides, ensuring your summer dining table is alive with colourful, fresh and healthy flavours. Imaginative vegetable sides can turn a meal into a fabulous feast. We’re not talking plain boiled carrots – we’re talking flavour, colour and attitude. Bring in ginger, spices and chilli for a little zing; nuts for the crunch factor; edible flower petals for colour; then yellow and red capsicum to contrast with the green vegetables.

This is the Christmas recipe our Taste writers have received the most compliments for over the years.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. You could use double cream instead of mascarpone. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. If cooking chicken the day before, reserve some of the cooking liquid to pour over the sliced chicken meat before refrigerating. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Pavlovas can be made a day ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature. Fill pavlovas close to serving. Note

A sugar (candy) thermometer, from kitchenware stores, is essential for this recipe. Nougat can be made a week ahead. Store nougat in an airtight container between layers of baking paper in a cool, dry place. If the weather is humid, make close to serving. Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

This recipe can be made several days ahead. To refresh pies before serving, heat in a moderate oven until warm, about 10 minutes, then allow to cool. Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

MAKES 12 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION, COOLING AND STANDING TIME)

These decadent bite sized cakes will leave an explosion of flavour in your mouth with every nibble. Perfect to serve at Christmas time, we've combined fragrant fruit mince pies with sweet, creamy melted chocolate.

MAKES 15 PREP AND COOK TIME 45 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION AND COOLING TIME)

With just 15 minutes baking time there's no need for these fruit mince cupcakes to merely be enjoyed at Christmas. Treat yourself all year long!

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Beat the Christmas rush with Alexa Johnston’s delicious make-ahead gifts.

Beat the Christmas rush with Alexa Johnston’s delicious make-ahead gifts.

Beat the Christmas rush with Alexa Johnston’s delicious make-ahead gifts.

We used black cherry, raspberry and apricot jam to make these shortbread snowflakes, but you can use any flavour you like. If you don’t have a set of snowflake cutters, stars are very pretty too.

Can be made four days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. You will need about 5 passionfruit for this recipe. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Berries suitable to microwave. Note

Ensure the rim of the jar is clean before twisting lid on tightly to seal the jar. Chutney will keep in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Chill once opened. Note