A subtle and delicately flavoured rabbit stew with potato and sage that will melt in your mouth.

Suitable to freeze at the end of step 2. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Note

Tender slow-cooked lamb shoulder with a sweet and delicious quince and honey rub.

Recipe suitable to freeze at the end of step 2. Note

Use small piping bags without a tube or strong plastic bags snip a tiny corner from the bag for easy piping. Prepared cake boards are available from cake decorating and craft stores; you will need one 30cm (12-inch) round board for this cake. Note

You will need a 60cm square of unbleached calico. If the fabric is new, soak in cold water overnight, then boil for 20 minutes; rinse well before using. Use day-old breadcrumbs for this recipe. Chop all the fruit to the same size as the sultanas. Wrap the pudding in plastic wrap, seal tightly in a […]

To freeze, pack into freezer-proof containers, leaving a 2.5cm space to allow for expansion. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a 180°C/350°F oven for 30 minutes or microwave on medium power (50%) until heated through. Note

To make chocolate curls, run a cheese slicer down the back of a slightly warmed block of chocolate. For smaller curls, run a vegetable peeler down the side of a block of chocolate. Note

Sago and tapioca, while similar, are not the same and can’t be substituted for each other. Sago may be found labelled as `seed tapioca’ on some packets. It is available from most health-food stores and supermarkets. Note

This is a great recipe for entertaining in the cooler months. Lamb shoulder chops and chump chops are also suitable for this recipe. Note

There’s no need to cover the pudding steamer with foil or a lid because it is covered when the lid is placed on the cooker. Note

This cake needs to be made at least a day ahead. Or, up to 2 days ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Ras el hanout is a blend of Moroccan spices available in delis and specialist food stores. If you can’t find it, use a moroccan seasoning available in supermarkets. Note

You will need about two bunches of rhubarb for this recipe. To spread the second layer of cake batter over the crumble, without mixing the two, dollop the batter into each corner first, then gently spread the batter toward the centre. Note

Fragrant and delicious spicy coconut lamb curry with potato and eggplant.

Pears, parsnips and red onion have a natural sweetness that is enhanced on roasting. This sweet flavour balances beautifully with pork’s creamy, fatty texture making it the perfect pairing. It’s the same reason apple works so well as an accompaniment with pork in all its forms. Note

A hearty cassoulet with delicate chicken breast and merguez, a spicy North African sausage.

A traditional Sunday dinner dish in the French countryside that literally means, 'chicken in a pot'.

You will need about 3 large overripe bananas for this recipe; mash 2 of them for enough mashed banana. Note

Tender pork loin stuffed with capsicum and ciabatta crumb and served with a rosemary gravy.

Equipment: 35cm (14-inch) square wooden cake board Smoothing tools pasta machine 1.4cm (¾-inch) and 4.5cm (1¾-inch) perspex measures vinyl mat fine artist’s paint brush stitching tool alphabet cutters paper piping bag. Although this cake is a labour of love, it’s worth every bit of effort. The strips of icing can be made by rolling the […]

Not suitable to freeze. If you have one, try using a mandoline to cut the potatoes into paper-thin slices, otherwise, use a very sharp knife. We used a merlot-style wine in this recipe. Note

This deliciously tender slowcooked spiced chicken in coconut sauce from Australian Women's Weekly.

If you don’t like heavy fruit cake, this light fruit cake may just hit the spot. Note

This cake can also be made in a deep 18cm (7¼-inch) square cake pan. Note

Some butchers sell a pork and veal mince mixture, which is what we call for here. If it is not available as a mixture, buy 500g pork mince and 500g veal or lean beef mince. This recipe is suitable to freeze at the end of step 4. Note

Equipment: Deep 30cm-round cake pan 2 x 20cm x 30cm lamington pans 2 bamboo skewers 3cm, 4cm, 6cm and 9cm-round cutters 40cm x 1m prepared cake board Decorations 3 rainbow sour straps, cut yellow strips from strap Note

To tell if a peach is ripe, look around the stem of the peach, the absence of green skin plus a strong peach aroma indicates ripeness. If the skin is slightly green, it is not ripe. If peach stones are difficult to remove, leave them during roasting, they will come out more easily after cooking. […]

This recipe is cooked in a slow cooker on low over 8 &frac12 hours. Note

Pulled beef, or pork, comes from pulling extremely tender pieces of meat apart­ rather than cutting it into slices usually with two forks, which separates the meat into strands. Low, slow cooking is required to produce meat tender enough to pull apart into pieces. Note

Equipment Deep 15cm (6-inch) square cake pan 25cm (10-inch) square prepared cake board If the icing is set on the cake, you can attach the roses using a tiny dab of apricot jam. The ribbon is easier to tie around the cake if the icing is set. The cake can be completed about three days […]

Swiss brown mushrooms, also known as roman or cremini, are light-to darkbrown in colour with a full bodied flavour. Store on a tray in a single layer, covered with damp, absorbent paper and keep where cool air can circulate around them. Note

Use crisp, crunchy fresh water chestnuts for this recipe if they are in season; frozen fresh water chestnuts also can be found in many Asian grocers. About 5-medium sized chesnuts are needed for this soup. Note

A classic hearty chicken stew that originated in southern Louisiana.

A rich, fragrant and warming slow-cooked lamb and eggplant curry that will melt in your mouth.

Suitable to freeze at the end of step 3. Note

Ask the butcher to cut the ribs into pieces that will fit into your slow cooker. Note

A rich and delicious spinach and three cheese cannelloni that is a truly Italian dish.

Equipment 25cm (10-inch) round cake pans 35cm (14-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 2cm (¾-inch), 1.5cm (¾-inch) and 1cm (½-inch) round cutters fine artist’s paint brush We used the end of a 1cm piping tube to cut out the smallest dots. What a fun cake this is to have at a party -­ a […]

The cake pops are fiddly to make, but are well worth the effort. We used little sugar roses, bought from the supermarket, to decorate the wedding cakes. Note

To freeze; complete the recipe to the end of step 3. Pack into freezer-proof containers, leaving a 2.5cm (1 inch) space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a large saucepan, then continue from step 4. Note

Equipment 30cm (12-inch) round wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 3cm x 3.5cm (1¼-inch x 1½-inch) scalloped cutter 3 wooden skewers 2 paper piping bags Tape measure Fine artist’s paint brush 2.5cm (1-inch) perspex measure Tweezers Pale minty green and soft dusty pink blend together for a sweet old- fashioned […]

Thai basil, also known as horapa, is available from greengrocers and Asian supermarkets. To freeze; pack into freezerproof containers, leaving a 2.5cm space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan or microwave on medium power (50%) until heated through. Note

I sometimes make vegetarian minestrone but it’s never as tasty as this version, which relies on a really rich beef stock. Taking the trouble to make good stock makes all the difference to the end result. Note

This cake also can be made up to 6 months ahead. Turn it into an emergency Christmas pudding by brushing with liqueur, heating in the microwave and serving with ice-cream or custard. Note

This cake is good for a younger child’s birthday. Use any colours you like. Equipment 32cm (13-inch) square wooden cake board 18cm (7-inch) square wooden cake board Smoothing tools 4 wooden skewers Paper piping bag Tape measure Plastic ruler Pizza cutter Fine artist’s paint brush 5cm (2-inch) round cutter 4cm (1½-inch) round cutter 2cm (¾-inch) […]

The beef can be cooked in the oven, if you prefer. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) and cook, uncovered, for about 1 hour. Note

Pork neck is a moist, tasty cut which pot-roasts really well. This is an easy way to cook; make sure the pan you use has a heavy base for even cooking and a tight-fitting lid. Note

We used the firm, non-astringent persimmon variety (fuji fruit) in this recipe. Note

An exquisite, slowcooked Greek-style dish with dill and lemon lamb shoulder.

Equipment Deep 15cm (6-inch) round cake pan Deep 23cm (9¼-inch) square cake pan 15cm (6-inch) round prepared cake board 30cm (12-inch) square prepared cake board 2 medium piping bags fitted with medium plain tubes Tracing wheel 3 bamboo skewers Use any leftover butter cake mix to make cupcakes. The decorated cake can be completed two […]

Ramen is a very popular Japanese noodle soup consisting of Chinese wheat noodles and a broth usually flavoured with meats and soy.

If japanese curry powder is unavailable, any mild flavoured curry powder can be used. Note

This tomato chilli jam is deliciously versatile ­use it as a condiment in sandwiches, to pep-up stir-fries or as a glaze for chicken, fish or lamb fillets or skewers. Note

Tender lamb forequarter stuffed full of exquisite Mediterranean flavours.

The baking paper strips are used to help remove the cheesecake from the steamer once it’s been refrigerated overnight. Place the steamer upside down on a serving plate, gently pull on the paper strips and the cheesecake will ease away from the side of the steamer. Note

Fresh coconut can be shaved into long flakes using a vegetable peeler. Note

A warming winter soup of slow-cooked chickpea and tomato soup from Australian Women's Weekly.

Ask the butcher to cut the rib racks into pieces that will fit your slow cooker. Note

You can quickly peel the capsicum with a vegetable peeler if you don’t like the skin peeling off when it’s cooked. To freeze, complete the recipe to the end of step 2. Pack into freezer-proof containers, leaving a 2.5cm space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight […]

You can peel the potatoes in advance and leave them in a bowl of cold water so they don’t go brown. Once they are sliced, assemble the dish immediately. Don’t stand the sliced potatoes in cold water or you will wash away their natural starch, which thickens the sauce. Note

Italian sausages are coarse pork sausages generally sold in plump links. They are usually flavoured with garlic and fennel seed or anise seed and come in two styles, hot (flavoured with thai red chilli) and sweet (without the added heat). They are available from speciality butchers and delicatessens. Note

This cake is very moist, due to the proportion of fruit to flour, which gives it a similar texture to Christmas pudding. Great as a family dessert with custard or, traditionally, for more special occasions such as 21st birthdays and weddings. Rum, sherry or your favourite liqueur can be substituted for the brandy. The fruit […]