Use any type of curry paste. Try lime juice instead of lemon. You’ll need to process 3 slices day-old white bread to make crumbs. Make ahead: You can make crab cakes several hours ahead; keep, covered, in the fridge. Note

You can use any type of sausage. Cut sausages part-way through lengthwise, then flatten out. They’ll cook much more quickly. If you have a steamer basket, steam carrot over potatoes as they boil. Otherwise, microwave the carrots on High (100%) in 30-second bursts, until hot. Note

Buy unwashed potatoes; they’re much cheaper and mash well. Use thawed and well-drained frozen spinach instead of baby spinach. Use lamb or beef steaks. Price will vary. Note

We used thin pork steaks (sold as ‘uncrumbed pork schnitzels’), available in packets at most supermarkets or your butcher. Make sure your frying pan has a flameproof handle; if it doesn’t, wrap handle in several layers of foil to protect it from the heat. Note

Buy pork already diced. Note

Use an all-purpose potato, such as desiree. Use pork forequarter chops instead. Price and cooking time will vary. You can use kumara (orange sweet potato) instead of pumpkin. Price will vary. Note

Make ahead: You can make pie up to 4 hours ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Low fat: Use reduced-fat or skim milk. We used a frozen chunky vegetable mix of cauliflower, broccoli and carrot. Choose a potato variety that’s suitable for mashing. Note

You can make croquettes a day ahead; keep, covered, in the fridge. Note

Make ahead: Make filling up to three days ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

Omit balsamic vinegar. Use brown or apple cider vinegar instead. Use floury potatoes. Note

No large baking tray? Use 2 trays, swapping halfway through cooking. Low fat: Remove skin from chicken. Note

Use day-old bread of any type. Use bought croutons. Note

Instead of lentils, use chickpeas or any type of canned beans, such as kidney or butter beans. Note

Make salad just before serving. Buy parmesan shavings in packets or from the deli counter. To make your own, use a vegetable peeler to shave pieces from a parmesan block. You can use grated or shredded parmesan instead. Note

You could use grated cheddar cheese instead of feta, if preferred. Note

To prevent breaking and overcooking, simmer gnocchi very gently. Note

Transfer cooked rosti to warm oven while you are making the next batch. Note

Make pizzas just before serving. Roast capsicum is at the deli counter. Make ahead: Grate potato ahead of time; toss a little lemon juice through to prevent-potato browning before cooking. The right grater: Use the coarse side of a grater; vegetables will hold shape better on cooking. For crisp rosti: Squeeze out as much liquid […]

Keep cooked rosti warm in a slow oven while you cook the rest. Note

Cook 8 drumsticks and keep leftovers for next day’s lunch. Use smaller drumsticks; reduce cooking time to 20 minutes. Note

We used a frozen vegetable mix of com, carrot and broccoli. Note

To make ahead, prepare patties to end of Step 1. Cover, then refrigerate (with remaining egg). Crumb and cook the next day. Dry potato before mashing, then Let patty mixture stand for 10 minutes so it’s easier to handle. Swap canned tuna for the salmon. Note

To save time, use bought bacon bits instead of cooking bacon. You can cook soup a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. For a variation, stir in 1/2 cup finely chopped cooked chicken just before serving. Note

You can make patties up to 3 days ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

No ovenproof frying pan? Sear salmon in frying pan, then transfer to a baking tray. Note

Serve with steamed greens or buttered peas. You can replace brie with fresh ricotta. Use pork leg steaks or medallions instead of cutlets. Cooking time will vary. Note

You could add a finely chopped fresh long red chilli to yoghurt for a little heat, if preferred. Note

Cut potatoes and kumara into 3mm-thick slices or use a mandolin. Note

Add scrambled egg for a delicious breakfast or brunch. Top potatoes with bought salsa. You can use parsley instead of chives. Note

Make ahead: Prepare mince mixture up to 2 days ahead; keep, covered, in fridge For great party food, try chat (baby) potatoes; cooking time will vary. Which potato? Floury potatoes are best for roasting. Check package details or ask your greengrocer. . Save time: You can microwave potatoes. Pierce with a skewer before cooking. Microwave […]

Serve with tomato sauce (ketchup). Note

Swap 2 teaspoons wholegrain mustard for tapenade. Make ahead: Prepare salad a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Store croutons in an airtight container. Add to salad just before serving. Note

Make ahead: Prepare salad ingredients up to 3 hours ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

Replace caramelised onion with bought onion jam. Note

Make sure oven is preheated at least 10 minutes before cooking. To ensure all ingredients are ready at the same time, choose a pan that fits them all in snuggly without overcrowding. To make your roasting pans last and stay rust-free, wash them in warm soapy water, then place in a hot oven to dry […]

Use 3/4 cup grated tasty cheese instead of parmesan. Low fat: Omit cream. Use light dairy spread instead of butter. Use reduced-fat parmesan and milk. Note

Swap prawns for 600g snubbed, bearded mussels. Cooking time will vary. You’ll need to cook 1 cup jasmine rice. Try 1 1/4 cups frozen peas instead of broccoli. Cooking time vary. Note

To shallow-fry, add oil to a depth of 3cm. Note

You can add a few sprigs of thyme to potatoes before baking. Note

Prepare crispy prosciutto by cooking in a dry frying pan for 2-3 minutes, until crisp. Or arrange on an oven tray and bake in a moderate oven, 180°C for 5-10 minutes. Note

For cheese baguette, slice loaf and arrange on a grill tray. Sprinkle with cheese then grill until melted. A sliced leek could be added to this soup. For a richer soup, use cream instead of milk. Note

When mixing muffin batter, 16 strokes is usually enough. Over-mixing the batter will make the muffins dry and rubbery. Note

For extra flavour, use chicken stock in place of boiling water. Note

If liked, add some chopped hard-boiled eggs and crispy prosciutto or bacon to the potato salad. Note

Sealing the steaks first, for 2-3 minutes on each side, keeps juices in, and resting the meat lets them be reabsorbed. Note

To hard boil eggs, cook in boiling water for 5-6 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Peel and cut each egg into quarters. Note

Cold sausages, left-over vegetables or antipasto vegies could be used in this omelette. Note

Other potatoes of choice may be used in this recipe. Note

Browning the chicken breasts and then finishing them off in the oven helps keep them moist. Note

Cook gnocchi in batches of about 6. Add a slurp of olive oil to the water to prevent them sticking together. Accompany with salad and fresh, crusty bread if liked. Note

If kipfler potatoes are unavailable, use the potatoes of your choice, scrub and cut into wedges. Note

If you like, you can add some sliced hard-boiled eggs and halved grape tomatoes to the salad mix. Note

You could use 1 green onion or 1/2 small red onion in place of eschalots. Note

Use a citrus zester to make fine, thin shreds of zest (the coloured outer skin of citrus fruit). Just pull the zester towards you across the skin. This can then be used in recipes or as a garnish. Note

To bake blind, line pastry case with baking paper and fill with uncooked rice or dried beans. Bake 10 minutes, remove filling and bake a further 5 minutes. Note

If liked, this quiche can be made in a 23cm quiche pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Note

Chicken or lamb mince are great alternatives to beef. Note

Incredibly versatile and tasty bubble and squeak is perfect for a relaxing meal after a hectic day. It is also a great way to use up any leftover vegetables or mashed potato.

It is important to chill the mixture so the croquettes stay together during cooking. Note

Always ensure that your leek is washed well before cooking. A bouquet garni is a bundle of herbs tied together with string, used to prepare soup, stock, and various stews. It is cooked with the other ingredients, but removed prior to consumption. Note

Cook potatoes in a saucepan of boiling water for 5-10 minutes, until just tender. Remove the leaves from rosemary by running pinched fingers down the stalk. For a budget barbecue dinner, you could use a cheaper cut of lamb such as forequarter chops or lamb leg steaks, and substitute mint or redcurrant jelly for the […]

MAKES 6 CUPS You can freeze this soup without the cream. Add when reheating. Note

Try this recipe using sweet potato instead of potato. These hash browns are delicious with at drizzle of sweet chilli sauce. Note

Scrumptious fish and chips with tender, moist fish fillets coated in a light and golden batter seasoned with parsley. Serve with a fresh salad, hot chips and lemon wedges.

Cooking time for lamb is 50-60 minutes per kg. Note

To cook jacket potatoes in the microwave, wash thoroughly and pierce potato skins all over with a fork (this allows steam to escape). Rub with oil and salt, place around the outer edge of turntable. Cook in microwave on HIGH for 10 minutes or until tender. Stand 10 minutes. Note