MEDIUM
Classic roast chicken with buttered vegetables recipe
There are few dishes more fundamental than a good roast chicken, the basics of which follow two important principles. The first is to never overcook it...
In Season
EASY
Stir-fried mushrooms with soy and ginger
Chinese cooks have always loved the intensity of flavour of dried shiitake mushrooms, but I like highlighting the fantastic range of cultivated exotic Asian mushrooms.
MEDIUM
Veal shank slow cooked in wine recipe
Slowing cooking is the way to lasting flavour. Serve this classic Italian veal braise with crusty bread, potato purée, rice or soft polenta.
EASY
Garganelli with cream and prosciutto
I rarely enjoy creamy pastas, but the prosciutto gives this garganelli dish such great flavour that I really love it. You can use any short pasta you like.
MEDIUM
Barbecued pork belly with spiced vinegar
Ask any Filipino or Filipina about "liempo" and you'll get an almost primal reaction. It's one of the country's favourite comfort foods, and with good reason. I like to leave the slightly chewy skin on the pork belly but you can remove it if you prefer.
MEDIUM
Moroccan-style chicken pie
Celebrate the shorter, cooler days of autumn by cranking up the oven and baking this hearty, delicious pie. A Moroccan classic, this pie is well worth the effort. I particularly love its sweet 'n' savoury nature. To complete, serve with my carrot salad and and with cous-cous or rice.
MEDIUM
Stonefruit simnel cake
Slim, elegant and intense with flavour, more like a tart than a true cake and perfect for an easy Easter dessert or an afternoon tea snackeroo. For me, you can't do better than a scoop of creme fraiche on the side but if vanilla ice-cream is your thing, then go for it. This keeps well for a few days in an airtight tin. Use apricots, plums or peaches.
EASY
Carrot and sultana salad recipe
The crispness of fresh carrot, paired with the sweetness of sultanas is marvellous. This is a simple and bright salad recipe that will be memorable.
MEDIUM
Grilled autumn lamb with romesco
I love all those Spanish salsas that go so well with meat and seafood. Romesco - a red capsicum and nut-based sauce - is one of my my favourites.
EASY
Giant cheese soufflé
Banish your fear of the souffle with this back-to-basics recipe. Serve this large souffle with a green salad or a huge bowl of green peas.
EASY
Chicken with salt, pepper and lime recipe
Thai chillies, perhaps more commonly referred to as bird's eye, are not for the faint-hearted so use to taste (!) in this quick chicken dish, suitable for a dinner party gathering.
EASY
Galettes filled with plum and chia seed jam
Unlike the traditional crepe, a galette is made from buckwheat flour and water, making it an excellent alternative for non-gluten eaters.
MEDIUM
Roasted figs with yoghurt thyme ice-cream
This light, summery dessert is easy to throw together. When figs are ripe you don't want to do much to them.
EASY
Spaghetti with cherry tomatoes and bottarga
You can add a teaspoon of dried chilli flakes to the pasta if you like it nice and hot. I also love mixing it with sautéd tuna cubes.
MEDIUM
Roast chicken with summer vegetables
This one-tray roast couldn't be easier to prepare and the escaping juices from the tomatoes and zucchini make for a light brothy sauce.
EASY
Grape and honey creme flan
Filling a flan case with something delicious is one of the simplest pathways to an impressive dessert.
EASY
Burrata cheese with charred zucchini
Smoky, oily sardines cooked on the barbecue are a lovely match to creamy, fresh burrata and charred zucchini.
MEDIUM
Peach melba cobbler with rosewater cream
A cobbler or crumble is a really simple dessert for feeding a crowd.
EASY
Rigatoni with eggplant, capsicum and bocconcini
This simple vegetarian pasta has the colours of the Italian flag and the tastes of summer.
MEDIUM
Peach and passionfruit pavlova pots
Hey, New Zealand, we'll concede that you guys invented pavlova if you'll concede that we made it famous, okay? You know, just like Russell Crowe.
EASY
Tangy berry summer pudding
There is no simpler or more delicious dessert than a tangy summer pudding. And with all the wonderful berries in season, there is no better time to be making – and eating – it.
EASY
White peach bellini cocktails
Here' s a simple, seasonal and refreshing idea to get your romantic night or summer party started.
EASY
How to prepare (cold) oysters Kilpatrick
They might not be in fashion these days but I love a Kilpatrick oyster. This chilled version gives them a lighter twist.
MEDIUM
Rachel Khoo's no-bake praline ice-cream cake
Oven broken or don't fancy getting a sweat on in the kitchen? You can whip up this delicious dessert with just a stove top and a freezer.
EASY
Peach and plum barbecue sauce recipe
With Christmas smack-bang in the middle of barbie season, there are few more perfect gifts than a home-made barbecue sauce made from summer stonefruit.
EASY
Chicken, avocado salad with walnut vinaigrette
This super-tasty salad is perfect for a summer afternoon – just add a crisp white wine and crusty bread. If you want to make it really simple, replace the poached chicken with a bought roast chook or cooked king prawns.
MEDIUM
Fruit salad with champagne granita
Start this recipe the day before serving. If you're time-poor, use tinned peaches. And if you're flush, use fancy champers.
Sweet and sour crispy-skinned snapper
The best way to get fish skin nice and crispy is to scrape the skin with a sharp knife and pat dry with paper towel to help remove moisture. Placing a weight on it while frying helps to keep the skin in contact with the pan.
MEDIUM
Chicken and asparagus tartlette
This tartlette uses an aromatic stock to first poach the chicken, and then whisk into a velvety filling.