MEDIUM
Rachel Khoo's rosé spring stew
I am a firm believer that stews shouldn't be restricted to cosy winter nights. A light summer broth, like this one made from rosé and packed with spring vegetables, makes for a great dinner party dish.
In Season
MEDIUM
Smoky chickpea, eggplant, tomato stew
This recipe makes for a great batch cook, the flavours even intensify when left overnight, so you'll take even greater pleasure from it the next day. Chipotle chillies add a brilliant depth of smokiness.
MEDIUM
Poached chicken with sauce gribiche
Propel the humble poached chook into culinary orbit with a super-savoury classic French sauce that’s so easy to make. Sauce gribiche goes with so many springtime dishes, whether hot or cold.
MEDIUM
Simple slow-cooked beef brisket
Braises don't get simpler or more tasty than this beef brisket. Cook it slowly, at the gentlest of simmers, and keep the temperature constant. Or replace the brisket with ox cheeks, which are almost impossible to dry out when cooked gently. I have used cabernet sauvignon but any full-bodied wine, such as shiraz, would be perfect. Just add soft polenta and a salad.
MEDIUM
Neil Perry's king prawn salad
Start this recipe two days in advance to pickle the prawns. There are lots of flavours in this pickling brine mix; if you wish, take a few ingredients out – just make sure the lime juice and lemon juice are included. These prawns also work well served on vegies such as green beans, broccolini or asparagus.
MEDIUM
Slow-cooked duck with beans and pancetta
With a little forward planning, this simple recipe will bring sublime, intense new flavours to your table. It's best served with a simple green salad.
MEDIUM
Herbed fish cakes with kohlrabi slaw
Use your favourite seafood in these versatile favourites: play around with hot smoked salmon, barramundi, snapper, leatherjacket and flathead, sometimes even a few prawns. . Serve with a fresh crunch slaw and dinner is done!
MEDIUM
Saltimbocca-style pork with potato and onion gratin
It's not going to win you any points with your doctor or personal trainer, but once in a while an indulgent dish like this is good for the soul.
MEDIUM
The Blue Ducks' bread 'n' butter pudding
We've revved it up with chocolate and burnt orange, but try it with chopped dates and walnuts, poach. We've revved it up with chocolate and burnt orange, but try it with chopped dates and walnuts, poached pears and almonds, or just flavoured with a simple spice*.
MEDIUM
Sauternes cake with maple roasted pears
The olive oil cake is delicious with vanilla ice-cream and any poached or seasonal fruit. Using oil helps achieve a moist crumb and with the wine and fruit this makes a great dinner-party finisher.
MEDIUM
Sticky roast chicken with tomato glaze
Soak in brine overnight, add a delicious glaze, and take the simple roast chook to a whole new level.
MEDIUM
Neil perry's winter fish cakes
Looking for a lighter winter meal? Swap those rich glazes for a no less delicious winter meal of fish cakes - a perennial winner.
MEDIUM
Pickled beet salad with pearl barley, pumpkin seeds, feta and almonds
Solve your winter salad dilemma with this delicious, healthy and filling beet and grain salad. If pickling beets sounds like too much trouble, freshly grated beets are just as delicious.
How to choose the best fruit and vegetables
These simple rules are mighty useful when visiting a market or grocer.
MEDIUM
Neil Perry's braised chicken with lentils
With this chicken recipe, you could try duck legs instead of chicken. They will take a little longer and should be cooked until the meat is falling off the bone. You can also add heat with a couple of chopped red chillies or a teaspoon of chilli flakes. And if you want to save time, use tinned lentils – just drain, wash and add at the end.
EASY
Fillet steak with crispy onions
Food doesn't have to be fancy to be good. The creamy, cheesy spinach is part sauce and part side dish for the steak. Top off with crispy onion for texture - a great meal.
EASY
Roast broccoli with ricotta and lemon
Meals that make the most of what you have at home is a great way to save money. A cheesy, seasonal salad is a great example because it's easy to adapt to whatever vegetable, cheese, nuts or dried fruit you have to hand.
EASY
Slow-cooker pork belly ramen
Preparing ramen usually involves boiling bones for many hours to create a rich stock, but this slow cooker version couldn’t make the Japanese favourite any easier. There’s no need to hang around and watch the stove, as the dish makes itself.
EASY
Slow-cooker Moroccan harira soup
This traditional soup is eaten throughout the year in Morocco, but even more so during the month of Ramadan to break the fast once the sun sets. It is typically made with lamb but chicken thighs or gravy beef could be used as an alternative, or it's just as good as a vegetarian meal.
MEDIUM
Slow cooked duck legs with beetroot relish
Fortune favours those who plan ahead. This recipe takes about eight hours all up, but there's little toil in that time. I really like this beetroot relish, so use it with lots of barbecued or roasted meats it works a treat. Speaking of which, make sure you serve this duck with some sautéed spinach, silver beat or kale, which ever you like best.
MEDIUM
Toffee apple crumble with pickled pears and sour cream
Use red-skinned apples - they cook down into a soft, jammy filling and make a great contrast to the tart pickled pears.
EASY
Marmalade custard cake
This magical cake separates during the cooking process to a thick custard layer that sits below a spongy cake layer.
MEDIUM
Goat's cheese and truffled celeriac lasagne
Dig the earthy flavour of a seasonal lasagne. This lasagne uses truffle oil or take it to another level by grating fresh truffles into the mixture.
MEDIUM
Warm lentil salad with pumpkin and chilli
This makes a fine meal on its own or a perfect side to a family roast. You could change the pumpkin for parsnips or sweet potatoes
MEDIUM
Veal and pork polpette with cabbage, taleggio and truffled pecorino
This is true cold-weather comfort food. The sauce is perfect with a big scoop of wet polenta, mash or even buttered risoni.
EASY
Beetroot, orange and olive salad
Packed with parsley and flavoursome beetroot, this dish is a great winter salad or light lunch option.
MEDIUM
Braised witlof and leek gratin with gruyere
This salad is fabulous served with roast chicken. You can use it to create a really easy meal by buying a roast chicken.
EASY
Honey-poached nashi pears with Chantilly
This twist on a Korean classic can be eaten warm from the pot or chilled from the fridge. Either way, it's delicious.
MEDIUM
Baked rhubarb and apple shortcake
This baked shortcake is a very simple, delicious dessert that's perfect with just about any fruit you like.
EASY
Roast brussels sprouts with hazelnuts
Go a little nuts with a vegie side for your next big family roast dinner. This sprout dish also works really well with zucchinis or green beans.
MEDIUM
Silverbeet, sausage and haloumi pies
These are delicious still warm from the oven. They're also great cold, and make an easy and pretty complete meal for work or for school lunchboxes.
EASY
Risoni or quinoa with cauliflower, preserved lemon and parmesan
This is tasty on its own or can make a great accompaniment to poultry. It couldn't be much easier to pull together.
EASY
Soft polenta with mushrooms
This recipe for soft polenta is very simple, but it's the earthy-flavoured mushrooms that will keep you making it again and again.
MEDIUM
Winter minestrone soup
This minestrone is all about root vegetables and winter greens; leftover parmesan rind adds a depth of flavour to the broth.