Lunch

Recipe not suitable to freeze. Note

You can use any type of sliced bread. Note

The polenta and dressing can be made a day ahead; refrigerate, covered. Vegetables can be cooked a few hours ahead; keep wrapped in a damp cloth in the fridge. Note

For a packed lunch, prepare this salad the night before; it is best dressed just before serving. Place beetroot in base of lunch container, top with mesclun, potato and beef; pack dressing separately. Store in the fridge; bring to room temperature before serving. Note

Home-made wontons are surprisingly easy to make, and entirely worth it for the freshness of the flavours.

Chermoulla is a marinade of fresh and ground herbs and spices often used in the cooking of North Africa. This tender chermoulla lamb is gorgeous served with chickpea salad and pitta bread.

An exquisite and nourishing dish of salmon tartare on lentil salad served with fresh bread and lemon wedges.

You could use whole, cleaned whiting for this recipe if you prefer, just extend the cooking time a little to compensate.

This salad could hardly be simpler, but the combination of shredded chicken, fresh figs and bitter leaves makes for a quietly spectacular dish.

Do not overwork the dough or it will toughen. Note

Mango chutney will burn if the grill or barbecue is too hot. Note

Leave out the anchovies, if desired. Instead of a poached egg, add sliced cooked grilled chicken breast to create a chicken ceasar salad. Note

Impossibly delicious, this cheesy egg and bacon pie makes a great lunch or light dinner. Leftovers make a lovely packed lunch.

Parcels of herb-rubbed feta cooked over the barbecue and spread on delicious crusty bread is the summer time starter of your dreams.

Fresh pasta helps make this fettuccine marinara a seriously quick dish to put together, yet it's bursting with flavour from the seafood and saffron.

makes 48 per mini maki 0.2g fat; 94kJ (22 cal) CHICKEN TERIYAKI VARIATION You can make another easy mini maki by replacing the tuna and cucumber with 2 chicken tenderloins (150g) that have been marinated for 1 hour in 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce, then cooked through and sliced thinly. Follow the method above to step […]

These between-meal snacks will satisfy the heartiest of appetites ­ and your waistline won't suffer for it.

Save any leftover garlic oil to drizzle over scrambled eggs or to use in a salad dressing. Any remaining kaffir lime leaves can be frozen for another use. The soup will thicken on standing because of the rice. To prepare this soup ahead, follow the recipe up to the end of step 3, continue with […]

If you have access to a sandwich press,­ heat the tortilla in the press just before you’re ready to eat. Note

This salad is at its best served straight after cooking the prawns. Note

This deliciously warming soup is packed full of tender shredded pork and hearty beans to create the ultimate Winter comfort meal.

Step one of the recipe can be made 1 day ahead and covered, refrigerated; until required. The tomato sauce can be made 1 day ahead then covered; refrigerated; until required. Sauce can be frozen up to 6 months. Note

You can melt the cheese for each burger, if you prefer. Note

The Middle Eastern flavours of this fresh, crunchy salad make for something slightly different for lunch.

You need a deep frying pan measuring approximately 22cm (9 inches) across its base for this recipe; cover the handle with aluminium foil to protect it from the heat of the grill (broiler). Note

The ultimate side salad, rocket and parmesan is always a delicious combination and can be thrown together at the last moment.

Salmon is best served a little rare in the centre to prevent drying out. Note

Fermenting soybeans with salt and a particular fungus knows as kōji results in this traditional Japanese soup known as miso. It provides a base with an incredible depth of flavour for soups such as this one.

Store patties, covered, in the fridge for up to 2 days. Freeze uncooked patties for up to 1 month. Defrost patties in the fridge before cooking. Note

Tasty and tender, these chicken, carrot and feta patties make a great lunch or light dinner.

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Egg rings are available at selected supermarkets and homeware stores. Note

This yummy chicken mixture is great for party nibbles. The roasted almonds add a lovely crunch to these picture-perfect rolls.

Cider braised onions turn these hot dogs into a gourmet experience. You can use any leftover onions (if there are any!) as a side for any meat dish.

Chimichurri is a spicy marinade and dipping sauce often served with grilled meat; it is popular in many Latin and South American countries, especially Argentina.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Veal chops, cooked pink, are never better than when paired with a classic French caper sauce.

This omelette wrap is not only gluten-free, it's also wheat-free, yeast-free and nut-free. A great stand-by to have on hand, the omelette and mayonnaise mixture can be made the night before and stored, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the next day.

Kumara dampers are a marriage of old Australia and new, of bush practicality and modern, urban culinary exploration. The pumpkin scone of Modern Australian cuisine.

A fresh, bright and light salad with delicate crab meat, tender avocado, bitter leaves and fresh red chilli, great as a starter or light lunch.

You can use steamed fresh clams instead of the fish. Chicken or vegetable stock is also fine to use in this recipe. Note

The jalousie can be prepared ahead of time, cover, refrigerate until ready to bake. Note

Tasty, spiced prawn skewers make a fabulous lunch with salad and char-grilled bread on the side.

An exquisite variant on barbecued beef fillet - impress your guests with this succulent dish.

We used whole-egg mayonnaise in this recipe. Cooling chicken in liquid prevents the chicken from drying out. Note

When you pour the egg mixture into the pan, use a fork to gently move the mixture from side to side as it begins to set, to ensure it cooks evenly. Keep doing this until the egg starts to form a crust around the edge. Give the pan handle a gentle jiggle to make sure […]

Just cool the kipfler potatoes slightly before assembling this salad as it's best served still warm.

You can leave the chilli out if you like. Note

You can use an equal weight of prawns or lobster instead of the crab meat in this salad. Make sure your mango is quite firm, otherwise it will not slice well. Note

You will need about 2 medium carrots (240g) and 3 small zucchini (270g) for this recipe. You can also use fresh rice noodle sheets, cut into 14cm x 16cm rectangles, to enclose the filling. Note

Use a zesting tool to remove the rind from the lemon. Replace the lemon juice and rind with orange for a sweeter, more subtle citrus flavour. We used red witlof for added colour, but use your favourite salad mix. Use hot-smoked salmon or shredded barbecued chicken breast as an alternative. Freeze any leftover sourdough to […]

Sweet mustard dressing gives an extra kick to this warm duck and walnut salad with caramelised apples.

Rich with apricots, grapes, currants and almonds, this fruity couscous makes a great side dish for a tagine.

Ravioli are little pillows of pasta stuffed with a variety of delicious fillings including meat, fish, cheese and vegetables, and they don't have to be an Italian delicacy. This ravioli with greens recipe takes the basic form and fills it with the spices and flavours of Asia.

Create this authentic Thai sour chicken curry quickly and deliciously in a pressure cooker.

An easy way to tenderise octopus the night before cooking is to tightly wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze. If time is short, bash it with a meat mallet until it is no longer bouncy. Note

serving suggestion Crusty bread. Note

This recipe can be made a day ahead. You could use 1kg frozen mixed vegetables instead of the fresh vegetables in this recipe, if you like. Serving per person for each of the five food groups with 1 slice of toast 3½ serves vegetables; 1 serve grain foods; 2 serves lean meat and bean foods. […]

Herb-flecked and fragrant, this delicious salad makes an excellent lunch or side dish.

Recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Layout a full afternoon tea spread of little cakes, scones with jam and cream and these divinely spicy crab, avocado and cucumber sandwiches.

Silky smooth and well spiced, this curried pumpkin and coconut soup make a lovely lunch or an excellent starter.

Quickly throw these tasty salad pockets today for a tasty lunch bite. This recipe is great for giving leftovers new life!

The relish is best made a day or two ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator to allow the flavours to blend. You can add a finely chopped, fresh red chilli to the mixture if you want it hotter. Note

To save time, use leftover chicken or bought barbecue chicken, remove all skin and bones before using. Tarragon is the essential flavouring for many classic French sauces and dishes. It is also blended with parsley, chives and chervil to make fines herbes. Note

This sandwich is at its best eaten warm, but if you don't have the right facilities to cook the chicken and bacon at lunch time, then cook the chicken and bacon in the morning and assemble the sandwich at work.

One corn cob will give about 1 cup kernels. You can substitute frozen or drained canned kernels. Note

Served with dollops of sour cream and fried tomatoes, these fritters make a fantastic breakfast or brunch.

Wiping the knife with a damp cloth will make cutting the sushi roll easier. You need a sushi or bamboo mat, available from Asian food stores and most supermarkets for this recipe. Nori is a type of dried seaweed used in Japanese cooking as a flavouring, garnish or for sushi. It is sold in thin […]

Hearty and warming, this delicious cream of kumara soup makes the ultimate Winter comfort food. Especially when served with this tasty rosemary sourdough.

Whip up this light and delicious bruschetta for a quick lunch or appetiser.

Use a good quality chicken stock instead of the consommé, if you prefer. Ask the butcher to butterfly the turkey for you. The turkey can be cooked in the oven, if you prefer. Preheat oven to 180°C and cook, uncovered, on wire rack, about 1¾ hours. Note

Scotch broth is one of those classic, thrifty recipes designed to help you feed a growing family nourishing food on a tiny budget.

Quick and tasty, peppercorn beef stir-fry is the perfect mid-week dinner for those days when you need a bit of a boost.

A roast beef rib still on the bone is the indisputable king of roasts. Served here with a homemade mustard bearnaise sauce, this is a meal worth celebrating for.

The beauty of this hearty soup lies in its versatility. You can use whatever winter veggies that take your fancy - cauliflower, broccoli or even mushrooms - and it will still taste just as good.

Get your iron Popeye-style with this cream of spinach soup with lemon fetta toasts.