Coconut

You could use lime zest and juice instead of lemon. Note

Save time; Buy a square sponge cake. Note

You can replace coconut milk with 1 1/2 cups milk. Note

Use writing icing that sets hard; it’s available from the cake decorating aisle of supermarkets. Note

You may need to reopen the hole using a skewer or toothpick before threading with ribbon. Note

For vegetarian, replace sausages with 400g can drained rinsed chickpeas and 200g fried tofu. Note

Make ahead Make snowballs up to 1 week ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Try tinting the extra coconut with food colouring. Note

Use 500g chopped chicken breast fillets instead of tofu, if wished Green or red curry paste can be substituted instead of laksa paste. Note

Replace pork with chicken or beef stir-fry strips. Add a thinly sliced fresh long red chili to the pan in Step 2. Use any Thai curry paste you like. Note

Be careful not to overcook, or the custard will separate. Note

Place butter in saucepan first to make sure chocolate doesn’t stick to base of pan. Rotate blondie halfway through cooking to ensure it cooks and colours evenly. For a yummy dessert, serve warm with vanilla ice-cream. Make ahead: You can bake the blondie up to 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room […]

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

To stop caramel sticking to the base of the pan, keep stirring while cooking. Note

Make ahead: Bake brownies up to 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Fruit puree: To keep low-fat cakes and slices moist, use apple, pear, banana or date puree instead of butter. Add fibre: Swap regular flour for wholemeal flour. Reduce fat: To reduce overall fat content when baking, replace whole […]

To prevent bamboo skewers scorching during cooking, soak them in cold water for 20 minutes before adding food. You’ll need 12 skewers. When char-grilling, preheat pan to smoking hot. Add chicken; turn when it no longer sticks to pan. Reduce fat and use cooking oil spray rather than brushing food with oil. Because curries contain […]

If you use a traditional friand muffin tray, the mixture will make 10 friands instead of 12. Thaw frozen blueberries on paper towels at room temperature for 20 minutes. Note

Use thickened (not coconut) cream. Note

Vegetarian: Use 500g firm chopped tofu instead of beef. Cooking time will vary. You can swap coconut milk for 1 large crumbled beef stock cube and 3/4 cup water. You’ll need to cook 1 cup rice. Note

You’ll need to cook 1 cup jasmine rice. Note

You’ll need 1 large lemon for zest and juice; grate zest first, then juice lemon. Note

Slightly under cook the muffins so they don’t dry out when you return them to the oven to brown the meringue. Use eggs at room temperature. This will give the mixture more volume and help the muffin aerate during cooking. Don’t over mix Muffin batter should be light and fluffy; a few lumps in the […]

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

Garam masala is an Indian spice blend in the spice aisle; you can use mild curry powder instead. To shallow-fry, add oil to a depth of 4cm. Note

Snip dried fruit into small pieces with kitchen scissors. Note

Slice is best made on day of eating. Note

Use strawberry jam instead of fig, and desiccated coconut instead of shredded. No wanton wrappers? Use flour tortillas cut into triangles. Cooking time and price will vary. Note

Bake pastry squares up to a day ahead; store in an airtight container. Assemble shortcake stacks just before serving. Note

Make ahead: No self- raising flour? Use 3/4 cup plain flour mixed with 1 teaspoon baking powder instead. Note

You can make ice-cream up to 1 week ahead; keep frozen. Cordial will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month. Note

Use 2 cups desiccated coconut instead of shredded. Try 1/3 cup warmed strained raspberry jam instead of frozen raspberries. Save time: Ice and coat cake in coconut a day ahead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Whip cream and assemble just before serving. Note

We used an oval measuring spoon to shape mixture. Note

Makes about 20 Keep the condensed milk at room temperature for easy mixing. You can crush the biscuits in a food processor. Note

You can also use chopped chicken thigh fillets, and add sliced zucchini during last 10 minutes of cooking. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Classic chocolate coconut slice with a soft chewy base topped with chocolate icing and sprinkled with toasted coconut is always a family favourite. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.

Aromatic fish poached in coconut cream with lemon zest adds a unique twist on poached fish. Delicious when served on a bed of steamed rice with shredded onion and sliced chilli.

16 strokes is usually enough when mixing muffin batter – any pockets of flour help to give them their characteristic texture. Milk can be used in place of buttermilk. 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.

Impress your friends and family with this fragrant and creamy green chicken curry recipe that really packs a flavour punch and works a treat when served with steamed rice.

You need about 3/4 cup drained crushed pineapple. Note

Don’t worry that the mixture separates during cooking. It forms natural layers to give the impression of a pie crust. Note

You could also use fresh or frozen mango in this recipe. This cake can be served with thick cream or ice-cream. Note

Toss coconut in a dry frying pan over medium heat until golden. Remove immediately. Or toast on a baking tray at 180°C for 5-10 minutes. Note

Pork, chicken or prawns could be used in place of beef. Note

White Christmas

To toast coconut, toss in a dry frying pan on medium heat 2-3 minutes, until golden; transfer to a plate to cool. Note

Rendang paste is available from the Asian section of most supermarkets Make your own rendang paste in a food processer – combine 1 small onion with 1 tablespoon each fresh ginger, garlic, lemongrass and dried red chillies. Process to form a smooth paste. This freezes well. Note

This recipe includes the superfood oats and antioxidants from the berries. Note

The caramel filling must be stirred constantly during cooking for perfect, smooth results and to prevent catching on the base of the pan. Note

Use white or dark chocolate, if preferred. Note

Cake is best made the day before and left out overnight. The homemade cake can be replaced with a ready-made chocolate Madeira cake. Note

If preferred, use lemon zest and juice in place of lime Note

Ensure condensed milk is at room temperature, for easy incorporation with the creams. Note

Add other nuts or fruit of choice. Note

A timeless dessert that is loved by all, this delicious caramel and chocolate slice is easy to make, but packed full of flavour everyone will love.

To remove veins from prawns, remove heads and “hook” out the vein (dark spot where head is removed) with the tip of a knife or toothpick – pull gently. Note

Warm jam on high in microwave in 10 second bursts, stirring until easy to spread. Note

Lamb rendang

If preferred, use a slab sponge or madeira cake, or use packet mix and follow the packet directions. Note

Delicious pear and rhubarb crumble makes the perfect warming dessert to impress your friends and family. Bake until golden and bubbly, and then serve with freshly whipped cream.

Unfilled sponge suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Allowing the cheesecake to cool in a turned-off oven helps prevent cracking. Note

Make spicy fried rice using cooked rice, chilli, ginger, peas, cabbage, carrot, eschalots, eggs, soy, fish sauce and lime. Note

Gelatine is sold as a powder or in sheets, and they are usually interchangeable. Use two gelatine leaves for every teaspoon of powdered gelatine. Follow packet instructions for dissolving. Note

Cherry ripe lovers will fall in love with this incredibly indulgent and scrumptious no-bake cherry ripe slice, making this the perfect afternoon treat to share with friends and family.

Roast kumara on an oven tray lined with baking paper. Spray with olive oil and bake in a moderate oven, 180°C, 20-25 minutes, until tender. Note