Sour cream dressing adds a lemony lift to this smoked trout and avocado salad. If you can't get your hands on any smoked trout, you could substitute smoked salmon. Either way, the crisp leaves, soft avocado and fish bites make a delicious dish.

Nothing says decadence quite like a platter of fresh oysters. Drizzle them with these three fresh, fragrant and delicious Asian inspired dressings and watch them disappear.

If fresh fruit is unavailable, use frozen mango or drained canned mango in natural juice, for this healthy smoothie full of calcium, magnesium and B12.

Greek fetta salad is a great accompaniment to beef or lamb kebabs perfect for a summer barbecue or for dinner when you’re pressed for time.

This creamy and lemony dip is delicious and dead easy to make. You can adjust the lemon juice and garlic to taste.

There are few platters more impressive than those piled high with fresh, local seafood. Finish off the jewels of the sea with delicious dipping sauces; serve with chilled white wine, or go all the way with a bottle of bubbles.

Frozen yoghurt can be made up to 3 days ahead; keep tightly covered with foil in the freezer. Note

Use any combination of melons you like. You could prepare this salad the day before, if you like; keep, covered, in the fridge. Add mint and juice to the melons when you're ready to enjoy.

These pretty jelly parfaits make a delightful kids' party food or dessert. Top with fresh fruit for a colourful flourish.

Mozzarella can be substituted for the bocconcini; stand 30 minutes before serving. Note

To remove seeds from pomegranate, cut in half crossways. Hold one half over a bowl, firmly tap on the skin with a wooden spoon or rolling pin, the seeds should fall out into the bowl. Any sashimi quality fish will work well. Note

Store rocky road in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Note

Crunchy, fresh and full of flavour, this carrot and daikon salad is dressed with lemon, vinegar, mint and black sesame seeds.

Take an eaton mess, replace the pav with macaroons and add some custard and you have this deliciously layered raspberry dessert in mere moments.

These delicious and refreshing mango and passionfruit ice-cream pops are full of natural colours and flavours and a delightful treat for the kids.

You need 2 oranges and 5 passionfruit for this recipe. Note

It is important to use silken tofu for this recipe to get the right texture. Note

The turkey can be swapped for cooked chicken breast. Vegetables can be prepared a day ahead, cover with damp kitchen paper and plastic wrap, and store in the fridge. Drizzle with soy sauce just before serving. You can add or omit the chilli depending on how hot you like your food. Note

Serve with chopped mint or basil leaves. Note

These spicy oysters are sure to win over your guests at a barbeque or cocktail party. You can make the spicy dressing in the morning and dress the oysters just prior to serving.

This goes well with fish, prawns, pork and chicken. Note

This recipe can be made a day ahead, but hold off on adding the ginger ale until just before serving. Note

Honey may contain harmful bacteria and is not recommended for children under one year old. Note

The ultimate summer cocktail, this watermelon cosmo is sweet with juice and zesty with lime.

The key to making a success of the meal on a big day is all about planning and preparation. If you’re not already a list-maker, become one; having a list will make everything seem so much easier. The special meals, like this wonderful lobster dish, will come together nicely.

Low-fat yoghurt and crushed weetbix make this brekky berry smoothie a complete breakfast in its own right.

Cool, fresh and fruity, this tasty kiwi and mint frappe makes the ultimate drink for a hot Summer's day.

If you're looking for a simple, tasty and appealing platter for a party then marinated baby bocconcini with prosciutto is your friend. Salty meat wrapped around mild, sweet cheese and spiked with basil. Perfect.

Bruschetta is one of those classic dishes that's welcome at just about any meal, from a late breakfast to a late night snack. This garlicky goat's cheese version is a creamy, tasty winner.

Two dozen oysters on shaved ice topped with our red wine vinegar or spicy lime dressing is a perfect party platter.

This chocolate nougat frozen parfait is incredibly simple to make, but is bound to impress. A great way to end a special dinner party.

Enjoy this cheeky adult's only fruit dish on it's own with ice-cream or cream, or drizzled atop a slice of cake. These beautiful vodka soaked cherries last indefinitely and make a perfect Christmas gift.

This elegant berry nougat cheesecake is dreamy, creamy and irresistible. Just the ticket for a fancy afternoon tea.

A traditional Italian dish, this light and fresh salad uses only the freshest ingredients to emphasise the importance of good quality produce. Enjoy it on it's own or as a side dish.

A chicken, celery and avocado sandwich is packed with protein and good fats, an excellent option for school lunches.

Dried mix fruit is the perfect healthy snack for the kids to nibble on at school or at home.

Putting a tropical twist on the traditional Italian tiramisu, the combination of sweet mango and zesty passionfruit will keep your loved ones coming back for more.

Oysters with Red Wine Vinegar

Cherries will last indefinitely. Do not allow metal lids to touch the liquid; plastic is best to use. This recipe is unsuitable to freeze or microwave.

This goes well with prawns, chicken and pork. Note

To prevent them from drying out, keep finished ura-maki wrapped in plastic, uncut, until ready to serve. Goes well with sesame dipping sauce, and oysters osaka. Note

This tree takes a little time to make, but it is delightful to look at and delicious to eat. The Christmas tree can be made two days ahead. Bring out this tree with the coffee, suggesting to your guests that they snap off bits of the branches. Or, for an impressive gift, wrap the whole […]

Be careful when working with silken tofu as it is very soft and breaks easily. Use a mix of basil and mint leaves if you cannot find japanese mint. Note

Also goes well with potato salad; pan-fried beef eye-fillet steaks (omit water so the pesto has a thicker consistency); grilled lamb kebabs. Note

Oil needs to be added slowly to prevent mixture separating. Should the mixture separate, whisk in two tablespoons of hot water. Note

You need 24 witlof leaves for this recipe. Note

Traditionally served as an accompaniment to spicy dishes, this recipe would also make a great light vegetarian starter. Note

You can improvise with the ingredients in this trifle. Try sponge finger biscuits instead of biscotti, raspberries in place of cherries and a nut-flavoured liqueur as a substitute for the marsala. Biscotti is available at selected delicatessens, specialty food stores and online. Note

To toast sesame seeds, spread them on shallow tray, bake in a moderate oven five minutes, or until golden. Note

Ready-made rich chocolate fudge frosting is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

To save time, buy shelled prawns from the fishmonger. Note

Use white Candy Melts in place of chocolate Melts for an extra-white finish. Note

Use any melon and berry combination; just make sure you use the same amounts. Note

Blue cheeses are mould-treated cheeses mottled with blue veining. Varieties range from firm and crumbly stilton types to mild, creamy brie-like cheeses. Use a firm and crumbly blue cheese for this recipe. Note

Instead of piping the cream cheese mixture onto the canapés, you can just use a teaspoon to drop small amounts on top of the mini toasts. Mini toasts are available from delis, groumet food shops and some supermarkets. Note

Wonderfully fresh and light, enjoy these beautiful salmon sashimi stacks as a light lunch, starter on canape.

You can use any combination of berries you like or seasonal fruits such as mango or banana. Note

This recipe makes 18 cake pops. A quick way to make cake crumbs is to break up a ready-made cake bought from the supermarket. The cake pops become quite firm, and can be placed in a bowl or basket with little or no damage to the pops. Note

Ask your fishmonger to butterfly the sardines. It is correct that the sardines are not cooked in this recipe. Note