Moderate

This salad is full of flavour. Bitter greens cut through richness of the confit duck, the pear adds sweetness and the walnuts texture. While pinot noir tends to be a typical wine match for many duck dishes, we found a rose worked better with the bitter greens - perfect for a lighter summer meal. - Al Brown

I use the term trifle lightly! Rather than the traditional sponge base, I've used a Pineapple and Coconut Torte inspired by a great friend of mine, chef Philip Johnson. Nothing screams summer more than ripe strawberries and if you can track any down from Scott’s Strawberry Farm in Hawke’s Bay, they’re off the dial! - Al Brown

Food to me is all about simplicity and generosity. A simply roasted whole fish is a pretty good example of this. Serving this dish with Huntley & Palmers Flatbread is great for added texture and mopping up all the delicious juice and flavour. Turbot can sometimes be a bit difficult to find, so any large flat fish (flounder, brill) or even the belly of a large species like kingfish or hapuka will do. - Al Brown

A delicious roasted eggplant salad topped with jewel-like pomegranate, olives and mint

A vibrant Middle Eastern-style quinoa salad filled with roasted pumpkin, cauliflower and herbs and topped with a tahini and pomegranate dressing

These single portion tarts are slightly tangy from the labneh, yet balanced by the strawberries and a drizzle of maple

Mum’s made this cake for many years since her dear Aussie friend Lynne shared it with her. It is always a success, thus their friendship remains intact! Photography by Todd Eyre

Similar to an old-fashioned gingerbread, this cake improves with age so it makes a lovely gift for friends to take to the bach or to simply enjoy at home all summer long. Photography by Todd Eyre

Macerating the strawberries enhances their flavour, so this is a handy recipe for when the fruit looks better than it tastes. The filling is light and creamy with a hum of ginger, and the tart is easy to make ahead.

This recipe makes 4 delicious pies with 3 cups of a tangy peach relish to accompany and to save for another dish.

Cook this pizza on the barbecue for a smoky base.

Tis the season for this tender, flavoursome, and mouthwatering roast turkey with bacon, onion and sage dressing - perfect for Christmas lunch or dinner!

The size of these Raspberry & Coconut and Marmalade & Lime petite lamingtons means the ratio of sponge to delicious flavoured coating is stepped up a notch

This quick-to-make custard is very rich so serve either warm and drizzled over fresh berries or chilled in small glasses.

Custard is one of life’s simple pleasures. Add Nutella to the mix and you have a delectable dessert. Photo by Bauersyndication.com.au.

Serve this delicious alcoholic custard with Christmas pud, pineapple upside down cake, in fact almost any cake, bananas…

This Christmas salad is delicious made fresh, but improves even more if refrigerated overnight. Recipe and photography by Bauer Syndication.

With blanched peaches, elderflower liqueur and rye whiskey, this is better than your average Christmas punch. Recipe and photography by Bauer Syndication.

A great alternative to a hot Christmas pudding, this ice cream bombe is an explosion of flavour. Recipe and photography by Bauer Syndication.

Stuck for ideas for your Christmas banquet? The crowd will love these vodka-pickled prawns with Tabasco mayonnaise. Recipe and photography by Bauer Syndication.

Serve up Poderi Crisci's seafood full salad and wow your long lunch guests. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Antonio Crisci of Poderi Crisci shares his eggplant recipe for the perfect Italian long lunch. Photography by Todd Eyre.

This refreshing recipe is from Luke McCartin and Claire Beard, owners of Mount Maunganui’s Japanese restaurant Mr Miyagi.

Fran Abdallaoui and Pamela Clark share their recipe for a salad with green papaya, a classic Vietnamese and Thai ingredient.

A pan of perfectly cooked roast potatoes is a cause for celebration. For super-luxurious roasties, duck fat is the key.

This chutney is a summer favourite, not only is it great with strong hard cheese, it is the perfect match for thick slabs of cold Christmas ham jammed into fresh bread. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

This Asian-flavoured loin with crunchy crackling and a super-tangy, quick cucumber pickle. Will be sure to impress. Tip: Start a day ahead to dry out the pork skin.

Past and present ideas combine in this perfect Christmas turkey recipe. Recipe and photography by Bauer Syndication.

Family-owned vineyard and restaurant Poderi Crisci adds Italian flair and passion to its roasted quail recipe. Recipe by Luca Villari & Antonio Crisci. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Inspired by the yakitori bars in Japan these meat skewers are grilled for a delicious smoky flavour. Photography by Todd Eyre.

These are a wonderful treat for a party – small enough to pop in one’s mouth but substantial enough to be filling after a few. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Party season has started! These tasty morsels will tempt the taste buds of your guests and ensure you retain your legendary entertaining status. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Making homemade sausage rolls for a party shows you care. Roll out these chicken, mushroom and thyme beauties for the perfect party snack. Photography by Todd Eyre.

Containing only four ingredients, this cake is light but decadent, perfect for summertime. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

This dish of dark puy lentils with glistening strings of roasted red tomatoes will make your summer plates picture perfect. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Lightly baked fish and zingy aioli is quite possibly the perfect summer dish. The large fillets make for easy cooking and it’s also really good the next day eaten cold. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Pick the male courgette flowers early in the morning for this creamy stuffed courgette flower recipe. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Get creative this festive season with Julie Goodwin's marvelous meringue Christmas tree! Tastes as good as it looks! The perfect dessert for Christmas Day.

Jazz up dinner time with these delicious lamb racks. They are rolled in a delicious seed and spice mix, and served with juicy roasted carrots for the ultimate family meal.

There’s a hidden layer of thick vanilla custard in the centre of this cake that takes it from good to great. Serve it warm, but not too hot. Photography and recipe by Gourmet Traveller.

This decadent cake is inspired by the life of artist Frida Kahlo and her sometimes turbulent relationship with her lover, Diego Rivera. It is dense and complex like Frida, with heat from chilli and spice. It’s the perfect, dramatic end to a Day of the Dead feast. Photography by Jani Shepherd / Gatherum Collectif.

To make a wonderful taco filling, rub the mix into inexpensive cuts of beef and cook long and slow until the meat fibres pull apart easily. Photography by Jani Shepherd / Gatherum Collectif.

There’s nothing like the flavour of freshly podded peas gathered in a luxurious free-range egg, crème fraîche and gruyère cheese filling with lashings of aromatic herbs.

I'm sorry to say our Western palate loves beef not wisely but too well. Curiously, however, the beefiest beef bits – generally filed under ox – are maligned. Here is my favourite ox tongue recipe. Part of a sustainable dining event by Taste and Lincoln University. Recipe by: Michael Smith, photography by: Jani Shepherd and styling by: Fiona Hugues.

These individual puddings are different from the usual sticky date dessert - they're made with quinoa, so they're gluten-free.

This thick joint of beef is smoked and slow-cooked over wood chips in a lidded barbecue until it’s so tender and delectable even my vegetarian friend Jane couldn’t resist a morsel or two! Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Hold on tight, we're taking flight! This cake decoration is perfect for a Alice in Wonderland themed birthday party, or a infant's nursery rhyme birthday party.

You only turn 9 once in your life, so make this cool fire-breathing dragon out of lollies on top of a number 9 cake!

Word play Happy Birthday! Write a message to the birthday child, or write all the names of the guests. You could even play a game and the guests can make words from the letters you create!

Things that go bump in the night! These spooky cupcakes have meringue ghosts floating over fairy floss. Great for kids Halloween or birthday parties - OOOOooooOOooo!

This science experiment themed birthday cake will make all the kids squirm with delight! Great for kid's birthdays or for Halloween parties!

The Sun is a great ball of fire! This birthday cake has chocolate covered ice cream cone solar flares, and is perfect for any wannabe astronauts or star gazers.

For the little scientist who likes exploring the backyard finding the critters and worms. This magnifying worm cake is the perfect birthday cake. Made out of a white chocolate mud-cake and jelly!

When I grow up I want to be a astronaut! This moon ice-cream cake is a out-of-this-world alternative to sponge birthday cake.

When I grow up I want to be a doctor! This cake is fun and interactive with the blue M&M pills and stethoscope made out of licorice. Great fun for little doctors and nurses!

For the aspiring Olympic champion who dreams of winning a gold medal.

For a delicious taste of China, these pork mince lettuce cups are perfect starters for a family and friends gathering.

This delicious salad combines all the flavours of a BLT sandwich (bacon, lettuce and tomato) with juicy chilli chicken pieces.

Served with an exotic herb mixture and warm couscous salad, these lamb riblets are perfect for a summer bbq.

A classic treat made from layers of flaky, buttery pastry with vanilla-flecked custard filling. Photography and recipe by Gourmet Traveller.

A salty-sweet ripple of caramel through these marshmallows adds a sophisticated edge. Try them dunked into the warm vanilla milk. Photography and recipe by Gourmet Traveller.

If the mention of yoghurt in this recipe makes you feel better about indulging in multiple wedges of it, me too! I've been making this cake for years as it is a fail-safe cake that has what I call "integrity" - ie it is deep and holds itself well over more than a few days without becoming dry or stale-tasting. Photography: Todd Eyre.

The first fruit curry I tried was from one of Camellia Panjabi’s recipe books and it was a magical experience – not at all as odd as I thought it would be. This is my version and it’s a stand out if you’re looking to expand your repertoire of vegetarian meals.

My youngest child, who’s six, couldn’t decide between chocolate coconut roughs, toasted marshmallows or vanilla ice cream for dessert one day. “That’s fine,” I said and the rest is history… Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Wheels on the bus go round and round! This yellow bus birthday cake is perfect for little toy car enthusiasts. Honk honk!

Ready for first day of school? This birthday cake is perfect for a child's 5th birthday party.

This summer themed cake is perfect for poolside birthday parties.

Welcome to Candy Land. A little candy princess must have her very own Candy Land to live. And this cake certainly fits the bill.

This healthy non-dairy ice-cream is made with corn, which provides a natural creaminess and sweetness. Expect the ice-cream to be slightly more icy as a result!

Calling all Banoffee Pie lovers! This rich, indulgent banana and maple pie is fully vegan and absolutely delicious!

The Caribbean is calling! These fresh coconut vegan fritters, served with mango chilli and lime are absolutely scrumptious!

Spice things up in the kitchen tonight with this delicious vegetarian Thai yellow curry from The Australian Women's Weekly's Almost Vegetarian cookbook, available where all good books are sold.

Spaghetti-like strands are created from zucchini in this recipe instead of any actual pasta, which also makes this dish a great gluten-free option.

This vegetarian buckwheat, mushroom and sage risotto is a delicious creamy filler, perfect for lunch and dinner.

Make every Monday meat-free with delicious vegetarian options. Such as these golden crumbed brown rice cake patties and stir-fried vegetables, sprinkled with seaweed.

This fish-curing method is centuries old and salmon on rye with crème fraîche is a catering classic. Start preparation for this dish three days ahead. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.

Take a bit of quality time in the kitchen to create these mouth-watering puffs flavoured with aromatic vanilla. Photography and recipe by Gourmet Traveller.

Veg it up! Replace the fish with a thin plain omelette or slices of marinated tofu.

Quinoa is one of only a handful of vegetarian ingredients that on their own contain all nine essential amino acids, making it a perfect meat substitute. Veg it up! By leaving the chicken out of the guacamole.

Get spiced with this Moroccan roasted style chicken and cauliflower. Scatter olives and coriander over chicken and serve with a ramekin of greek-style yoghurt.

On a visit to Istanbul, I was shown a few tricks of the trade by a specialist baklava baker and now I’m sharing them here with you.

Redback spiders. Image: Rob Shaw/bauer syndication.com.au. Styling: Jane Collins. Preparation: Carla Do Carmo.

Sweet petite custard and fruit tarts are delicious dessert appetiser to take to Christmas dinner. Make ahead to save time and assemble close to serving.

Sablés are a French classic that kids adore. Make them a little more magical with crystallised pansy faces on top.

Christmas wouldn't be complete without turkey! Enjoy this deliciously succulent turkey roll with sweet cherry and almond stuffing. Easy, delicious, and perfect for the festive season!

Rise and shine with this deliciously smokey French style bacon from The Australian Women's Weekly 'Made from Scratch' cookbook.

Recreate popular Turkish street treats with these delicious sesame ring breads from The Australian Women's Weekly 'Made from Scratch' cookbook - perfect with breakfast, lunch or dinner!

This vibrant rose pink vertical stripe cake is full of colour and delicious, sweet flavour - the perfect cake for your next party, family gathering, or celebration!