This laksa served in pumpkin bowls is a tasty and impressive version of a classic Asian soup.

This spicy, fragrant Thai curry is a breeze to make. Using Asian-style frozen vegies means minimal preparation that puts a delicious main on the table in less than 15 minutes.

These tasty Thai spiced meatballs are infused with a fragrant coriander and rolled in crunchy coconut for an authentic flavour kick. Serve up with steamed Asian greens and a sweet chilli dipping sauce for a tasty and nutritious dinner.

These quick chicken skewers will have everyone coming back for more with a smooth satay sauce. Serve with a fresh salad and you have a healthy meal even the kids can't resist.

Salmon and eggplant make a great team in this quick and easy stir-fry curry. This recipe also works well with any firm-fleshed fish.

Leave a few green vegetables to pop in at the end so the meal doesn't only taste delicious but looks great too.

Try these unique meals inspired by curry and spices to pep up your mid-week menu or introduce your family to a few different flavours.

Fresh, zesty and spicy, these Thai marinated chicken skewers are delicious served grilled to perfection and served with steamed Asian greens and a squeeze of lime.

Make this dish as a fresh, light lunch ... or for a heartier meal, serve on a bed of rice.

This particular salad is traditionally made with finely shredded papaya, and lots of fresh chilli. Made here with pawpaw, we've added tender shredded chicken and a wonderfully zesty dressing to recreate a classic Thai dish with a tasty twist.

Traditionally a Japanese noodle dish, the addition of fragrant spices, fresh coriander and punchy chilli puts a Thai twist on this tasty pork dish.

Get a real taste of the tropics with this light, cool summer salad. The sweet chilli dressing is the perfect accompaniment.

Fresh chilli gives this classic Malaysian dish quite a kick, but you can also leave it out. This dish can be served with rice or try it with your favourite noodles.

Kecap manis is a soy sauce that has been sweetened with palm sugar and is usually less salty than most soy sauces. It is available in the sauce sections of supermarkets. It can be substituted with 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce and 1 tablespoon brown sugar, simmered together in a small saucepan until sugar has […]

This curry can be adapted with different kinds of seafood and made more or less spicy to suit everyone’s taste.

To prepare the noodles, place in a bowl, cover with just-boiled water, and use a fork to stir and separate. Drain well before use. Note

This quick and aromatic Thai beef salad combines lemony-flavoured coriander leaves with cool Lebanese cucumber, refreshing mint and rare beef - the flavours are well and truly amazing!

To use: Fry 1-2 tablespoons curry paste in a little oil for 30 seconds. Add 500g chicken, meat or fish and cook through. Add 1 cup coconut milk and simmer until meat is tender and thoroughly cooked. For green curry paste, use fresh green chillies in place of red. Note

1 1/2 tablespoons of belacan (shrimp paste) can be used instead of prawn paste. Note

If preferred, substitute beef or lamb for chicken. Note

Tofu can be fried in a little oil before adding to soup, if desired. Note

Lime Dressing may be prepared in advance and chilled until required. Note

Take yourself on a trip to Thailand with aromantic mint, chilli, coriander and lime. This powerful beef dish is best served with a fresh, crispy lettuce leaf.

This fragrant dish makes perfect, quick to prepare nibbles when served in small bamboo containers lined with banana leaves.

Prawns or chicken would make a delicious variation. Note

Use regular basil leaves instead of Thai basil, if preferred. To make this dish extra hot, crush the chillies while you’re stir-frying. Note

The delicious flavours of cool Lebanese cucumber, lemony-flavoured coriander, refreshing mint and rare beef creates a quick yet aromatic Thai beef salad that is full of flavour.

Mixed stir-fry vegetables are available from the fresh food section of your supermarket, or make up your own mix using snow peas, red capsicum and baby corn. Note

If you don’t have any tamarind puree, soak 2 teaspoons tamarind pulp in 150ml warm water for 10 minutes. Strain, discard pulp and use liquid. Note

If the meatballs are browning too quickly, finish cooking them in a hot, 200°C, oven (180°C fan-forced). Note

Use a small sharp knife to cut squid hoods lengthways from opening to tip. Place flat, inside up, on a clean work surface and score diagonally. Slice and marinate. Note

It’s important not to overcook fish as it becomes very dry. Note

Have something a bit different tonight with this Thai salad on lettuce cups.

The summer hols never last long enough. Soon it’s back to school or work. Sophie Gray sends you on your way with a smile and this tasty lunch option

Garlic can make blood vessels more flexible, helping to keep blood pressure down. Note

If the chicken has gone cold, place it in a 180°C oven for 10-15 minutes. Choose “topless” pineapple, or use three or four chopped canned pineapple rings. Note

Serve the lamb on steamed rice or noodles instead of lettuce, if desired. Note

Ground toasted rice is a traditional ingredient in Thai salads. It adds texture and flavour, but if you don’t have time, just leave it out. Health tip: Many herbs contain a high concentration of antioxidants, which neutralise harmful free radicals in the body. One cup of fresh herbs contains almost no kilojoules and can add […]

To prevent the fish mixture sticking to your hands when shaping the patties, keep a bowl of iced water nearby to regularly dip into. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. To make roasted ginger carrots, wash and trim 2 bunches of baby carrots. Toss the carrots in a small baking dish with 30g of chopped butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cut a peeled 5cm piece of fresh ginger lengthways into 10 ribbons using a vegetable peeler; add […]

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Fresh rice noodles are found in the refrigerated sections of supermarkets as well as in Asian grocery stores. Because they’re fresh and not dried, they do not need to be reconstituted by cooking, nor do they require a lengthy soaking time. Note

Uncooked meatballs suitable to freeze. Broccoli suitable to microwave. Note

You could use chicken or any firm-fleshed fish in this curry. Note

Vegetarian eating has never been easier or more enticing than with this fragrant, Thai inspired, red curry soup.

This fish curry is even better if made 2–3 hours ahead, as it develops more flavour: make the coconut gravy, add potatoes and beans, turn off the heat and cover with a lid. Reheat gently, add fish and cook through.

Spicy beef is coated in a salty, sweet, spicy and sour sauce and topped with toasted cashews and coriander. Delicious!

MAKES 16 Note

Ground rice is a traditional thai salad ingredient, adding texture and flavour. You can buy it from health food shops. Note

Tom yum paste is available at Asian food stores. Note

Kang kong, or water spinach, is available from Asian grocery stores. It is unrelated to spinach but tastes similar. You can use 4 bunches of English spinach instead. Blanching the kang kong before stir-frying helps retain its vibrant green colour, and also makes the stalks less tough. Note

Barbecue salmon cutlets with nam jim slaw brought to you by Real Living

This easy Thai beef salad recipe is ready in a flash and is super-healthy with the addition of spinach, cucumber, capsicum and fresh herbs. Don't forget the chilli hit!

Use a 2.5 litre capacity pie dish or baking dish. Note

Use a combination of pork and chicken mince if you like. You can serve stir-fry with fresh noodles or rice. Note

BBQ salmon cutlets with nam jim slaw

To make 1 cup of breadcrumbs, process 4 slices day-old white bread. The dipping sauce recipe makes 3/4 cup. Note

You will need to cook about 1 1/3 cups rice – it’s best cooked a day ahead. Green curry paste can be spicy; start with 1 tablespoon, then taste and adjust if necessary. Note

Ketjap manis is a sweet soy sauce available in the Asian food aisle. Note

To make it easier to divide beaten egg into 4, beat 2 eggs at a time. Replace bok choy with other leafy greens Note

For a heartier salad, soak Thai-style rice noodles, then add to this recipe. Note

Potato and coconut cream are not suitable for freezing. Add chopped tomatoes if you like. Do not boil cream as curry may curdle. Note

The sweet mango and cool cucumber, combined with the tangy dressing and hit of chilli, makes this salad really pop.

This warming winter soup by Sophie Gray will impress your friends and family

Soup is best made just before serving. You’ll find tom yum paste in the Asian food aisle of major supermarkets or at your specialist Asian grocer. Note

Check ingredients on curry paste jar to make sure there is no shrimp paste. Note

Budget tip: Use curry powder instead of paste. Use chicken thigh fillets if you like. Add broccoli instead of snow peas. Note

Save time You can use 1/4 cup bought tom yum paste instead of garlic, lemongrass, sambal oelek and soy sauce; the paste usually contains shrimp. Minced lemongrass is available in jars. Note

To remove excess water in tofu, compress between sheets of paper towels under a chopping board for 20 minutes. Note

You can use 2 chopped medium tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes. Use pork or chicken instead of beef; cooking times will vary. Note

Look for fried shallots in Asian grocery stores and major supermarkets. Note

For vegetarian, replace sausages with 400g can drained rinsed chickpeas and 200g fried tofu. Note