Replace bacon with ham, salami or pastrami. Pies can be eaten cold and are great for picnics and packed lunches. Note

Ensure the springform pan has a tight seal or egg might seep during cooking. You can cook the tart in a 22cm round cake pan instead. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to peel cucumber into long thin ribbons. Note

You can substitute parsley for the fresh coriander. Add 1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes to falafel mixture for a spicy version. Try bought tzatziki instead of yogurt. Note

Using beetroot in chocolate baked goods gives them a deep colour and moist texture. Note

Make ahead: Prepare patties a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. If time permits, refrigerate patties for 30 minutes before frying. This helps them hold their shape. Try tuna instead of salmon. Note

Use thawed frozen spinach instead of baby spinach leaves. Squeeze out excess liquid before using. Try semi-dried tomatoes instead of capsicum. No ovenproof frying pan? Cover handle with layers of foil to prevent it burning. Note

Use pumpkin instead of kumara (orange sweet potato) and ham or bacon instead of salmon. Cooking time will vary. Note

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

Replace beef with chicken or, for a vegetarian version, use tofu. Try replacing sesame seeds with crushed peanuts or crisp-fried shallots. Fried rice works best if made with cooked rice left in the refrigerator overnight – this removes moisture from the rice. Note

You can use leftover roast or barbecued chicken. You’ll need 1 cooked chicken for 3 cups. Note

Use pink salmon instead of tuna. Note

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

Marinate chicken in tandoori mixture up to a day ahead. Chop chicken; toss in tandoori mixture, then thread onto skewers. Note

Yoghurt Dressing: Makes 1/2 cup. Note

You could use any cooked meat or leftover vegetables as filling. Note

This moist and sweet banana bread gets an extra zing from the added raspberries. Make this bread ahead, then use for a quick and easy breakfast, toasted and spread with butter.

To prevent blondies drying out, cut only as many pieces as needed. Swap white chocolate for dark. Note

Use wholemeal flour with the addition of oat bran, a soluble fibre, to lower the GI of the muffins. Note

You’ll need to process 1 slice of day-old bread to make the crumbs. If brown basmati is unavailable, serve with white basmati or doongara rice (also known as Clever Rice). Lunch boxes: Make rissoles into bite-sized patties, then add to lunch boxes for a low-GI ‘brain booster’ meal. Note

Don’t beat spread too long or dough will spread during baking. Note

For a stronger flavour, use a mixture of dill and parsley. Try large zucchini instead of eggplant. Note

Add 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, cinnamon or mixed spice to flour mixture. Dairy-free spread will break down if overmixed; beat gently until just combined. Note

Don’t discard the baking paper used for rolling out pastry. Use one to bake pastry blind, the other to line the tray for roasting the vegetables. Quiche is cooked when a knife inserted at centre comes out clean. Note

If you use a traditional friand muffin tray, the mixture will make 10 friands instead of 12. Thaw frozen blueberries on paper towels at room temperature for 20 minutes. Note

Try cooked chicken instead of tuna. Note

If self-raising flour is unavailable, use 1 cup plain flour mixed with 2 teaspoons baking powder. For a vegetarian option, omit bacon and add 100g crumbled feta with the cheddar cheese. Note

Be careful not to overcook your pasta in Step 2. The macaroni will continue cooking in the oven. Note

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

To blanch beans, place them in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain well. Pink salmon can be used instead of tuna, if preferred. Use any bought vinaigrette or salad dressing. Note

Use 1 1/4 cups lightly crushed cornflakes instead of pistachios. You can use 1/2 teaspoon rosewater essence instead of rosewater. Store leftover tahini in the fridge. Stir well before using. Note

White chocolate and raspberry chelsea scrolls

The more thinly you roll out the dough portions, the more pretty swirls your biscuits will have. Note

Fish and risoni soup

You can prepare fish bites up to a day ahead; cover and chill. Note

For non-vegetarians, add canned tuna or pink salmon to kedgeree. Note

Replace caramelised onion with bought onion jam. Note

Use a baking tray that has a shallow rim to catch any juice from the tomatoes. Note

If you don’t have a sandwich press, cook sandwich in a frying pan, with a little melted butter. Note

3 medium mashed bananas equals 1 1/2 cups. Note

Use very ripe banana for mashing – keep bananas in the freezer until ready in use. Don’t worry about the skin going black – The banana flesh is still perfectly useable for cakes and muffins. Note

These beef and bean burritos topped with creamy guacamole are easy to make, and they are definitely delicious! They're easy to prepare, take practically no time, and are always a treat.

These are delicious served warm. To freeze, allow muffins to cool, wrap well or place in an airtight container, label and store in freezer for up to 1 month makes 12 Note

You can use lebanese bread or lavash in place of mountain bread, if you like. Note

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

These are so delicious served with yoghurt. Frozen spinach can be used but make sure you remove excess water. Note

If preferred, you can use buttermilk or natural yoghurt in place of sour cream. Store in an airtight container. This cake also freezes well. Makes 12 Note

Use a finely chopped onion if you don’t have a leek. Make croutons by toasting crestless bread and cutting into cubes. Alternatively, fry cubes of bread in a little oil or butter until golden. Note

Brought to you by Woman�s Day, this moist fruit and nut loaf drizzled with sweet caramel icing and packed with pecans makes the perfect afternoon treat for any special occasion.

Add some chopped bacon or pancetta and crushed garlic to the pan with the onion if desired. Note

To drain spinach, place in a sieve over a bowl. Press firmly with a wooden spoon to remove excess liquid. To ensure yolks don’t break, crack eggs, one at a time, into a small bowl. Gently slide egg onto pie. Note

This can also be made in a 10 x 20cm loaf pan – increase cooking time to 50-60 minutes. Note

Use all lentils and add more chilli for extra bite, if preferred. Note

Add some green beans or asparagus, if desired. Note

You can replace orange with lemon or lime. Note

This delicious salmon tart makes a light lunch alternative or the perfect dinner party starter. Baked until golden with creamy ricotta, fresh salmon, red onion and lemon zest.

Baby spinach or frozen spinach may be used in this recipe in place of fresh – remember to remove any excess liquid from frozen once thawed. Note

You could also add cubes of fish or calamari rings. Any unopened mussels should not be discarded as they are still fine to eat (despite previous concerns that suggested otherwise). The tendon connecting the shells simply needs to be slit with a small sharp knife to open the mussel. Note

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

If you prefer, add 1 cup grated carrot to the mixture in place of 1 banana. Note

You could saute chopped fresh chicken and add it to the rice. Note

If you are short on time, buy prepared pastry tart cases from your local supermarket or food specialty store. Note

Hawaiian pizza fans with love this cheesy ham and pineapple muffin recipe. Pop in lunchboxes or enjoy as a delicious afternoon tea treat

Sometimes called “chicken nibbles”, drummettes are made from the fleshy part of the wing. Get them from your butcher or supermarket. Use chicken wings or drumsticks if preferred. Accompany with a salad of lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, snipped chives, bacon and croutons with a favourite dressing. Note

Cut pancetta in half, cook in frying pan 2-3 minutes each side, until crisp, drain on paper towel. Leftover risotto can be pressed into lightly greased muffin pan and baked for 15-20 minutes, until golden, to make risotto cakes. Note

Make your own sushi vinegar by combining 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Note

Cake is best made the day before and left out overnight. The homemade cake can be replaced with a ready-made chocolate Madeira cake. Note

Chocolate chips can be used in place of blueberries – use 3/4 cup each. Raspberry and white chocolate are perfect together. Note

These sandwiches can be made with toasted bread, and there are no limits to the fillings you can try. Note

If preferred, use 2 tablespoons mayonnaise in place of dressing. Cooked rice or couscous can be used instead of pasta. Note

Make dinner fuss-free with this fantastic egg-free quiche recipe. It's packed with the goodness of broccoli and capsicum, as well as the deliciousness of cheese and ham - so you know it's going to be a favourite!

Try different filling, such as wilted spinach and feta, chopped char-grilled vegetables and brie, or caramelised onion and blue cheese. Note

To roast tomatoes, arrange cherry tomatoes in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season to taste. Roast in a moderate oven, 180°C, for 15-20 minutes, until they begin to collapse. Note

Fresh noodles can be used instead of dry – simply soak in hot water and separate with a fork. Note

Nothing beats indulging in a deliciously sticky hot cross bun with melted butter. Women�s Day brings you the ultimate step-by-step guide for perfectly decorated hot cross buns.

Macaroni and cheese is taken to the next level with the addition of cabanossi and cherry tomatoes. Not only does it taste delicious, but it can be prepared in less than 30 minutes!

Turn this into a salad: Omit the rolls and toss sliced lamb, potatoes, zucchini and spinach together. Accompany with hummus and yoghurt. Note

This deliciously simple mixed bean salad recipe is so easy to make yet full of incredible flavours. Perfect as a side, mixed bean salad is a quintessentail summer picnic food.