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This rustic recipe is our new family favourite. Perfect for a long and lazy Sunday. Photograph by Jani Shepherd and styling by Fiona Hugues – Gatherum Collectif.

This simple recipe for a light and golden, orange-flavoured, plaited Easter bread comes from a 1961 edition of Home Baked: A Little Book of Bread Recipes by George and Cecilia Scurfield. Published in Britain, the book was aimed at the novice bread baker and the authors included a chapter called ‘Coffee Breads from Abroad’. Most European countries have recipes for traditional breads eaten on festive occasions – usually made from ordinary bread dough enriched with butter or oil and eggs and flavoured with dried fruit and spices. I have made many of them over the years, but this modest recipe has become a favourite. It probably can’t claim to be authentically Russian, but it is pretty, delicious and completely reliable.

This is for the serious chocolate lover, a rich chocolate cake base layered with chocolate cream frosting. If you like, serve with coconut whipped cream and raspberry coulis. Raw desserts are one of the best ways to showcase the amazing flavours you can achieve with raw ingredients. It’s hard to imagine when eating this cake how it could possibly be raw; it just tastes insanely decadent and chocolatey. What is really brilliant about it, other than being full of chocolate, is that you now have a use for all that nut pulp you have left after making nut milk.

No longer miss out on the things you love because of allergies or intolerances; these delicious steak, pepper and mushroom pies are free of all gluten... and taste amazing!

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

Back when I brought our first baby home from hospital, dear old friends delivered scores of tinfoil-wrapped, mince-and-potato cottage pies for the freezer. My French husband inquisitively heated one and promptly turned his nose up at the first mouthful of the, admittedly, bland brown and white offering. Me? Sleep-deprived and breastfeeding, I couldn’t have cared less what I ate. However, from then on cottage pie was a no-go for my Frenchman, until a few years later when I came up with this kumara-topped version to swing his vote. It has a classic Moroccan filling of lamb, prunes, a little chilli and warming spices.

Full of natural, sweet flavours, these deliciously creamy coconut sago puddings make the ultimate dessert after any meal!

A baked cheesecake made from ricotta or quark is always more to my taste than a heavy, dense cream-cheese confection. These sorts of light cheesecakes are made all over Europe and Russia, often with homemade cottage or farmhouse cheese and they are served after dinner or with morning coffee. The layer of apples under the cheesecake replaces a crumb or pastry crust, and the filling is flavoured with lemon, cinnamon and vanilla, studded with raisins and topped with flaked almonds. Serve the cheesecake at room temperature. It will keep for a couple of days.

This is an easy recipe, so don’t be deterred by the cooking time as it’s mostly in the simmering of the meat sauce, or ragu. The three-meat ragu gives you a rich, intense flavour, even more so if made a day ahead. This sauce is wonderfully versatile and can also be served with spaghetti or as a cannelloni filling. Or you could replace it with a vegetarian option, such as caponata (eggplant and celery) or peperonata (capsicum and onion), or go with a mix of steamed mussels, squid and prawns. As long as the baking technique is followed, the filling possibilities are nearly endless. The best lasagne is made with fresh sheets of pasta, so if you have time, make your own. If not, fresh lasagne is available in most supermarkets.

Attention all coffee and chocolate lovers! This coffee mousse layered chocolate naked cake is a little slice of food heaven - simply irresistible.

This deliciously sweet Hellenic mess is the ultimate dessert, and the perfect way to end any meal. George Calombaris shares his recipe from his cookbook Greek.

Delicious and easy-to-make Middle Eastern za’atar bread. Michael Rantissi of Kepos Street Kitchen shares his recipe from his book Falafel for Breakfast.

This flavorsome tender beef stew is warm, nourishing, and perfect for the cooler nights in. Stephanie Alexander shares her recipe from The Great Australian Cookbook.

This heavenly chocolate, quince and almond tart makes the perfect dessert or afternoon tea treat. Maggie Beer shares her recipe from The Great Australian Cookbook.

Enjoy all the taste without of this delicious pudding without any refined sugar! Amanda Brocket shares her recipe from The Raw Food Kitchen Book.

Till the season for Christmas pudding! These delicious and rich mini boiled Christmas puddings are perfect for the festive season!

Ciabatta dinner roles are perfect alongside soup, stews or casseroles to mop up the juices, or with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.

Hamilton restaurant Dough Bros shared with us this mouth watering smoky pork ribs with apple slaw recipe. This fresh, colourful slaw compliments the smoky barbeque ribs flavours perfectly.

Boeuf bourguignon has got to be one of the best-known French recipes and originates from Burgundy in the central-east of France. Start this recipe a day ahead for maximum flavour

Kimchi is right ‘on point’ these days and adds a wonderful heat, texture and cut-through to anything rich. This is good time party food!

On the side of this satisfying winter dish, serve a simple fresh salad with a sharp vinaigrette and crusty bread with lashings of butter.

Succulent, juicy lamb salad with fresh pomegranate and crunchy walnuts - the perfect balance of texture and flavour, and perfect for dinner tonight!

Indulge in this heavenly white chocolate berry cheesecake - filled with everything your heart desires. This delightful cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion!

Adding pearl sugar to the dough is the secret to the delicious caramelised crunch of these waffles.

Baeckeoffe is a baker’s stew from the Alsace region of France – housewives would prepare the dish, then take it to the bakery in the morning to be cooked in the residual heat of the oven.

It doesn’t get much better than this. Tender lamb shoulder with Israeli couscous & labneh makes for a succulent dish. Recipe from Gourmet Traveller.

This ramen stock has been inspired by a David Chang recipe in his book Momofuku. Make it a day ahead (it simmers for 6-7 hours) then refrigerate.

Crispy succulent pork belly with a fresh zesty pineapple salad - the ultimate summer BBQ feast! Full of delicious flavours and wholesome ingredients, this dish will have you swooning for more!

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this sweet and creamy passionfruit and mango cheesecake - sweet, creamy and fruity! This is the perfect dessert for any night of the week!

Sweet and nutty - these picture-perfect pistachio and pomegranate cakes (now there's a mouthful!), are simply divine! Enjoy for dessert or as a sweet afternoon tea treat!

Indulge in these delicious red wine and blueberry cupcakes - the perfect choice for a delightful dessert or afternoon treat!

This beef bone soup embodies the values of Shop Eight. It’s a simple, yet generous, soup – the perfect antidote for a cold winter’s night.

Hands up all chocolate lovers - this one's for you! Sweet, rich, and oh-so-decadent double chocolate mousse cheesecake. A little slice of chocolate heaven!

Indulge in this decadent tradition Italian ricotta cheesecake for dessert tonight - rich, sweet and so delicious!

Pot-roasted beef with lots of herbs and spices in a rich, red wine gravy makes for a stunning meal. Throw in freshly baked Yorkshire puddings and it can’t be beaten.

This hearty, warming silver beet and pea curry is packed full of flavour, but requires minimal effort to make. Simply pop all your ingredients into the slow cooker, and you'll come back to a fragrant, nourishing vegetarian dinner the whole family will love.

Slow cooking delicious pork and sweet prunes creates a tender, caramelised flavour that you will love. Enjoy your flavoursome stew over a bed of creamy mash for the ultimate family Winter warmer.

The unbeatable combination of salty chorizo and hearty white beans goes beautifully together in this warming slow-cooked stew.

Hearty, warming and packed full of flavour, this delicious pork and lemon grass curry is the easiest way you'll make an authentic Asian style curry at home. Simply pop all the ingredients in the slow-cooker, and let the magic happen.

Packed full of flavour, this hearty meat dish is delicious served up for the family on a cool Winter's evening. Tender Italian sausages go beautifully with this flavoursome capsicum ragu, to create a hearty, warming dish.

A classic dinner recipe which slowly cooks lamb shanks with red wine and rosemary until wonderfully tender. Served with mashed potato or roast pumpkin, this dish is ideal for dinner parties

This tender and moist slow-cooker lamb cassoulet is the perfect option for dinner tonight - warm, hearty and delicious.

Feed the family with this succulent and flavoursome slow-cooker veal with balsamic sage sauce - perfect comfort food for the cooler winter nights.

This succulent spiced hoisin and star anise oxtail dish is perfect for your next dinner party! Excite your guests with this delicious and flavoursome authentic Asian dish!

This sweet, succulent and oh-so-tender slow-cooker honey mustard chicken will have you coming back for more! Full of tasty nutritious ingredients, this will easily become a family favourite!

Spice up dinner tonight with these juicy and succulent red curry lamb shanks - full of delicious Asian inspired flavour, this dish is sure to become a family favourite!

Sweet, healthy and refreshing! These natural frozen fruit treats are perfect for the hot summer days, and will be loved by the whole family!

For a sophisticated take on the classic Sunday roast, why not indulge in this juicy and succulent slow roasted pork neck with garlic tomatoes - rich, hearty and so delicious!

Sweet and delicious - this decadent frozen yoghurt with crunchy and nutty coconut brittle is the perfect dessert for summer!

Feed the family this delicious herb crusted sirloin with grilled vegetables - hearty, wholesome, and oh-so-tasty!

Warm your body and soul with this hearty bean ragu. We've combined mixed beans, fresh spinach and delicious parmesan to create a slow-cooker recipe you'll want to make again and again.

Warm, hearty and packed full of delicious ingredients, this beef and mushroom stew is slow-cooked in a fragrant red wine sauce to tender perfection.

This sweet and sticky honey and balsamic braised pork will please the entire family! Full of delicious flavour and wholesome ingredients, this is a dish you can enjoy any night of the week!

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this sweet and refreshing berry ice-cream cheesecake - the perfect dessert for the warmer nights!

This spicy and flavoursome lamb birria will excite your taste buds! Full of authentic spicy Mexican flavours, this lamb stew will have you coming back for more!

Impress your guests with these simple and delicious semi dried tomatoes! The perfect accompaniment at your next dinner party!

Whether your preference is for sweet or savoury tarts, the French are famous for what they pile into buttery pastry shells. This simple caramelised onion tart is truly a thing of pure beauty and deliciousness. Makes 4 x 12cm tarts or 1 x 25cm tart

My sister made this when she worked in the sub-Antarctic islands. As rations got scarce, the hardy kumara was a hit once she turned it into this moist bread.

Feed the family with this succulent and comforting slow-cooked chilli and fennel pork gyros - a deliciously warming meal for a cold Winter's night.

Slow cooked to tender perfection, this fragrant beef brisket is beautiful served atop steamed rice. With Asian spices and vegetables, this beautiful Vietnamese dish is great enjoyed straight out of the slow cooker.

The addition of tender beef ribs in this traditional French dish brings a wonderful flavour and texture to the classic beef bourguignon. Serve it straight out of the slow cooker with a side of mashed potato or crusty bread.

This traditional Mexican meat dish, where chocolate, chilli and beef are combined in a delicious, hearty casserole, is even more flavoursome in this gorgeous version of the recipe made in a slow cooker.

Warm, hearty and utterly delicious, these lamb meatballs are simmered in the slow cooker to tender perfection in a fragrant spicy tomato sauce. Serve with warm pasta or mashed tomato for a delicious family dinner idea.

Excite your taste buds with this rich and hearty Moroccan inspired stew - perfect for colder winter nights.

This traditional French chicken, bacon and mushroom stew is made even more flavoursome when cooked overnight in a slow cooker. Just breathe in and smell the aromas...

Packed with bold flavour, this deliciously hearty peppered pork curry is perfect for any night of the week.

Love lamb? Try these mouthwatering, juicy, and oh-so-succulent tamarind and lemon grass lamb ribs - perfect for your next BBQ or dinner party with friends.

Warm up the family with this hearty beef and vegetable soup on a cold winter's night.

Warm, hearty and utterly delicious, this flavour packed pork and fennel ragu is cooked to tender perfection and served atop homemade kumara and goat's cheese gnocchi. It makes the ultimate Winter dinner dish.

Excite your taste buds with this hearty sun-dried tomato and balsamic lamb stew.

Start your day with these deliciously fresh strawberry and chia seed puddings- ridiculously tasty and ridiculously good for you!

Experience the tastes of the Middle East with this easy and delicious basic labne- the perfect accompaniment to any meal.

Tender, succulent pork is shredded and combined with a zingy mustard barbecue sauce to create these delicious South Carolina pulled pork buns. These are a crowd favourite that will please all age groups - great for weekend drinks with friends.

Indulge your sweet tooth with this decadent rocky road mousse cake. One slice and you'll be taken to dessert heaven...

Perfect for impressing loved ones at dinner party, this divine pasta and beef dish is taken from Gennaro Contaldo's book, The Pasta Book. The combination of tender slow cooked stuffed beef involtini, fresh pasta and a fragrant tomato ragu is unbeatable.

Spice up your next brunch or morning tea with this delightful spiced apple stack cake and sweet toffee apples!

Looking for a twist on the classic winter stew? Get creative in the kitchen with this hearty vegetable stew with delicious polenta dumplings.

Enjoy this hearty and nourishing lamb, kumara and almond curry on a winter's night.

This dish is perfect for dinner - packed full of succulent juicy pork and hearty mushrooms. It is sure to be a family favourite.

Enjoy this deliciously fresh and zesty passionfruit curd- the perfect accompaniment with breakfast or dessert.

Guilt-free treats have never looked or tasted better! Indulge with these raw chocolate brownies- full of fresh wholesome ingredients, they make for the perfect treat.

Warm yourself up on a winter's night with this hearty and delicious Spanish oxtail and chickpea soup.

Warm up with this delicious chicken and mushroom soup - a true family favourite.

Perfect for a chilly winter's night- the entire family will love this nourishing chicken and leek soup.

Looking for hearty and full-of-flavour dinner options? You can't go past these beer and thyme beef cheeks.

Love Thai food? Then you can't go past this full-of-flavour coconut curried beef - hearty and delicious.

Succulent lamb shanks with hearty lentils and pancetta- a family favourite on a cold winter's night.

This delicious split pea and capsicum curry is packed full of flavour, and is sure to be a family favourite.

This hearty red pork and lychee curry is perfect for any night of the week- delicious and satisfying.

This recipe transforms beans from boring to beautiful and makes one of the best meat-free, comfort food dishes.

Hot, creamy and hearty, this beautiful comfort food recipe is absolutely beautiful and fragrant after slow cooking all day. The combination of sweet pumpkin and cream will warm your body and soul.

Julie Goodwin's glorious braised pork rashers are slow cooked in a Chinese style marinade to create this beautiful melt-in-your-mouth meat dish.

Slow cooked to tender perfection, Julie Goodwin's wonderful lamb shank cacciatore is gorgeous served with creamy mashed potato to create a warming family dinner.

Fun to put together and packed full of flavour and spice, these delicious slow-cooked beef burritos by Julie Goodwin make a fun family dinner time feast.