Family meal

Warm, creamy and hearty, this tasty four-cheese penne dish is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a family dinner on a cooler evening.

This gnocchi recipe is a little more forgiving that its potato based cousin. Nervous cooks should dive confidently into this spinach and ricotta with sage butter version. The result will be as light and delicate as you could wish for.

This hearty bolognese cannelloni will have the entire family running to the dinner table. It is comfort food at its best and tastes just as good the next day. Enjoy with a side salad and a glass of red.

Tom yum is a Lao and Thai, clear, spicy and sour soup. It is widely served in neighbouring countries such as Cambodia and Malaysia and has become popular worldwide. Just one taste of our recipe and you'll see why.

Both the kids and adults will love these beef fajitas packed with tender slices of beef, grilled capsicum, salsa and iceberg lettuce. Enjoy assembling them at the dinner table.

Fish fingers are is an easy and delicious way to get some fish into the kids. Yes, you can buy them from the supermarket, but our version taste a whole lot better, and are much healthier.

Ratatouille is a classic French dish, low in carbs and popular for its hearty flavour and attractive, rustic presentation. It is the perfect accompaniment not only for chicken but also for meat and fish.

Chicken thighs are the perfect cut for this recipe. The meat casseroles beautifully, leaving a sweet and tender family meal favourite. Serve with a generous helping of new potatoes.

Fried rice is the perfect way to use up leftover rice. A few minutes in the frypan, together with some fresh and healthy ingredients, and you'll soon have a filling and healthy dish for the kids.

The pancetta and pea combination lift an otherwise ordinary dish to new heights. Serve with mashed potato and sweet potato for a crowd pleasing family meal.

The utterly delicious iskender kebab is most famous in northwestern Turkey, and is traditionally served on a bed of lavash bread and smothered in a spicy tomato sauce and yoghurt.

The kingfish is deservedly known for its sweet, rich flavour and firm flesh with few bones. It is well suited to a range of cooking methods. Here, it is grilled and served with tamarind flavoured vegetables.

Beautifully light yet perfectly hearty, consider this char-grilled chicken, vegetables and haloumi salad as slightly more exciting mediterranean alternative to your meat and three veg family meal.

Apple sauce certainly has its place when it comes to roast pork, but our pork loin with fresh peach chutney will give you a new twist on this old favourite. Don't worry, we haven't forgotten the crackling!

Surf and turf is a hearty combination of the jewels of both land and sea. Not for vegetarians, this version combines marinara mix (ask your fishmonger to put it together for you) with a juicy steak. The result is divine.

From the great British repertoire of recipes with amusing names comes one of the top contenders, toad in the hole. The link between the name and a dish of sausages cooked in batter is obscure, but that doesn't stop it being a tasty, filling plate of comfort food.

Lamb cutlets go beautifully with this black-eyed bean salad. The beans are the dried seed of a variant of the snake or yard bean, and can be found at your local supermarket.

Pork kway teow is a popular dish with distinctive Asian flavours and is very quick and easy to prepare. Add extra chillies to spice things up, or go easy on the heat, depending on your taste.

This spinach, bacon and pine nut pasta can be on the table in under 20 minutes. Pappardelle is a wide ribbon pasta perfect for this kind of dish but you can substitute fettuccine or tagliatelle, if preferred.

Serve this healthy and delicious crisp-skinned snapper with stir-fried vegetables and black beans accompanied with a small bowl of finely chopped red chilli in soy sauce. It will add some extra zip to the fish.

Nutritionists suggest that we consume at least two servings of fish per week. What better way than these individual fish pies, topped with creamy mash.

Once again we must thank the Italians. This time, it's for mustard fruits which provide a sweetness along with a uniquely spicy accent to any dish they are added to. Here, it's roasted pork.

On the days where only comfort food will satisfy the hungry masses, this delicious fish pie topped with the creamiest of mashed potato and baked to brown, crisp perfection will fit the bill like no other.

Pork pie is a classic British dish made with hot water pastry that is traditionally eaten cold. This makes it perfect for picnics or even as a quick snack snatched from the fridge while you're on the go.

The elegant taste of veal is perfectly offset by this salsa verde accompaniment. The key to cooking this tender meat is not to overdo it. Fry until just done, and you'll be rewarded with the most delicate of flavours.

Give your family a taste of Asia with this heavenly hoisin pork recipe. Served alongside crispy green vegetables it is healthy and delicious. Any leftovers can be used up for school lunchbox sandwiches.

When you are blessed with an over abundance of beautifully ripe and juicy stone fruit, consider taking a culinary trip to the Middle East with this fresh peaches and dates with orange blossom recipe.

These marinated Mongolian lamb cutlets are beautifully succulent and full of flavour. Serve them with a fresh green salad or grilled vegetables for an easy mid-week meal.

Angel hair pasta, also known as barbina, or "capelli d'angelo" in Italian, are long, delicate strands of spaghetti-like pasta. This tomato, tuna and capers angel hair pasta recipe is fresh and tasty.

The use of scotch fillet steak means that this beef and zucchini curry will be ready in no time. Sprinkle some crushed peanuts on top, together with a generous squeeze of lime and serve with jasmine rice.

You will need about 1 large bunch of coriander for this recipe. Note

A marriage made in heaven, blending hearty prawns and salmon with tomatoes and a brown rice mixture coated in garlic and onion flavour. Great for a dinner party with friends or a wholesome family meal

Bread and butter pudding is as old as the hills and it's great for using up stale bread. There are many different ways of making it. This recipe is a bit of a departure from the traditional, with the addition of bananas.

Give your meat and three veg a facelift with this delicious and healthy plate of lamb cutlets and char-grilled vegetables. Full of colour and flavour, this dish will have the kids running to the table.

This fresh tomato and chilli pasta is the perfect midweek family meal that will satisfy everyone. Serve alongside some crusty garlic bread and the kids will be at the table before you can say "dinner's ready!"

Fans of the classic meatloaf will love this recipe. This glazed pork and veal version is moist, tender and packed with flavour. Serve it alongside vegetables for an easy family meal, and slice any leftovers for sandwiches the next day.

Named after the traditionally earthenware pot in which it is cooked, this lamb tagine with baby carrots is full of aromatic spice and flavour, and the meat is succulent and tender from the long cooking process.

Every body loves a curry, and while there are some very good quality curry pastes on the market, nothing quite beats the kick and flavour of making your own. It's surprisingly easy.

A more sophisticated cousin of fish-n-chips and mushy peas, this seared ocean trout and potato smash with pea and mint salsa is simple to prepare, and a healthy and delicious way to increase your oily fish intake.

This vegetarian version of the old British classic is every bit as hearty as its meaty cousin. Lentil cottage pie is the perfect option when you're after something meat-free, but substantial.

The chilli pancetta gives the linguine a lovely spicy kick. If you can't find it, use regular pancetta and add chilli to taste. Just a short time in the pan will be enough for the asparagus to add a touch of crunchy texture.

We love the simplicity and ease of this creamy chicken casserole. It's a one pot dish containing five different types of vegetables in a delicious creamy sauce. Perfect for a mid week family meal.

Both, sopressa and chorizo can be quite spicy. Taste the different varieties on offer at the delicatessen before making this meat lover's pizza.

Snapper is an incredibly versatile fish. It can be barbecued, grilled, steamed or fried with equally delicious results. This pan seared version with buttery capers results in tender flesh and tasty, crispy skin.

The secret to a perfectly cooked, moist pork steak is to take the meat out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature before cooking on a medium heat. This will prevent the outside from being overcooked when the inside is done.

This easy lamb curry takes a little time to cook so that those lovely flavours develop sufficiently, but apart from the initial preparation it's pretty much hands off. And not a jar of curry paste in sight.

This herbed beef fillet is exceedingly good. We've cooked it to a rare finish in this recipe. Whichever way you decide cook it, remember to rest it for at least 10 minutes to get the most out of this delicious cut of meat.

Pomegranate molasses is thick and brown with a concentrated flavour. It possesses tart and fruity qualities similar to balsamic vinegar and complements the lamb cutlets beautifully in this recipe.

This moist sage-roasted pork loin is a deliciously simple mid-week family meal. Serve it sliced thickly with roasted vegetables and keep the leftovers for the kids' lunchbox sandwiches.

The spices we've used here are used extensively in Moroccan cooking and bring a particular depth of flavour and vibrancy to meat dishes. Cooked in this way, the lamb will be perfectly moist and tender.

This coconut rice with capsicum and coriander is a great quick and easy vegetarian meal. Calrose rice is a medium-grain rice that is extremely versatile; you can substitute short or long-grain rice, if necessary.

Fill your kitchen with the heady aroma and taste of Italy with this healthy and colourful eggplant, tomato and basil pizza made with your own thin and crispy pizza base. Just like mama used to make!

The tamarind and honey work together in this dish to create a lovely sweet and sour flavour combination that compliments the delicate flavour of the prawns beautifully. Your dinner party guests will love it.

This lamb and apricot tagine with citrus couscous has so many of the characteristics we love; spicy, fragrant, savoury and sweet. The traditional lengthy cooking method ensures a depth of flavour and tender, juicy meat.

For a hearty healthy meal, try these fillet steaks with caramelised shallots and creamy mashed potatoes. For the very best mash, use lasoda, nicola or sebago potatoes.

Wrap fresh pita bread snugly around this delicious chicken kebab with garlic sauce. Add plenty of fresh salad and you have perfectly balanced meal, with limited washing up. Win.

The secret to our delicious lasagne is the pork and veal mince in the meat sauce, which gives it a balanced and rich flavour. The ricotta in our white sauce gives it an extra creaminess and lusciousness without the guilt.

The seasoning mix on this spiced fish with lemon yogurt sauce sure packs a flavourful kick. We used perch here, but you could use any type of firm fish; ling, blue eye, or barramundi would work equally well.

These breakfast burritos are packed full of fibre and are a great start to the day. The addition of jalapeño peppers gives them a satisfying bite and complement the tangy lime in the avocado beautifully.

This slow roasted pork with fennel dish will fill your kitchen with the type of aroma that will have the hoards running to the dinner table. Any leftovers can be sliced and used for the kids' lunchbox sandwiches.

Not suitable to freeze. Cavalo nero suitable to microwave. This recipe is also delicious with white fish, chicken breast or thin steaks. You can use black or green tapenade or substitute good quality basil or rocket pesto. Cavalo nero doesn’t lose volume like spinach or silverbeet, though either of these can be substituted if cavalo […]

Beef fillet is a beautiful, premium cut of meat. This dish can be created successfully with a boneless mini lamb roast or lamb rump. It's all cooked in the one baking dish, minimising the washing-up, and is so easy it could be delegated to anyone in the family.

For a quick, easy and popular family dessert, try this golden, flaky strudel filled with sweet apple and juicy sultanas. Serve with a generous dollop of cream, ice-cream or both. It's also delicious cold.

Prosciutto, pumpkin and sage are a heavenly trio in this delicious, comforting dish.

Kalonji are also called nigella or black onion seeds. Note

There should be no complaints at the dinner table when you present the family with good old fashioned lamb and vegetables. We've made things a little more exciting with the addition of mint sauce; it goes wonderfully with spring lamb.

The sweet, savoury, sticky and thick teriyaki sauce is a staple of Japanese cuisine. It compliments chicken, fish and meats equally well. Team it with a light and fresh udon salad and you have a perfect light meal.

Serve this family favourite with a big jug of homemade gravy to pass around the table.

For a milder pesto, substitute baby spinach leaves for rocket. Note

Well, this is one way to increase the kids' fruit intake! Be warned, these caramelised apples are dangerously delicious.

This dry, fragrant Nepalese curry, traditionally served with steamed rice and lime wedges, is one of this remote Himalayan country's most popular meat dishes.

For a delicious, easy mid-week meal, try these spicy fish kebabs served with steamed rice.

Warm, hearty and creamy, this potato and bacon soup is packed full of delicious ingredients to create the ultimate comfort food - perfect for Winter evenings.

Fresh mint adds lightness to this delicious vegetable risotto, a great meat-free dinner option.

The ultimate comfort food, this cauliflower cheese has a crunchy cheese and herb topping.

Easy and healthy, this chicken stir-fry is perfect for a mid-week dinner.

Give your usual fish pies a sophisticated variation with this smoked fish version. They can go straight from the oven to the table in pretty individual dishes and make a lovely dinner party main meal.

This is one of my all-time favourite pastas. I know it looks like a lot of anchovies, but trust me and cook them down slowly. This could well become your favourite pasta, too.

Pappardelle with silver beet, goat's cheese, chilli and lemon

This dish was on the first menu at our restaurant Hugo's, at Bondi, and it actually stayed on the menu for years, as it turned out to be one of our best-sellers. It's a recipe that goes to prove that good food does not have to cost an arm or a leg.

Speedy and moreish, the whole family will love this easy chicken pasta.

Coated in mildly spiced crispy breadcrumbs and served with a lime-coriander yoghurt, these fish fillets with kumara fries will be loved by the whole family.

Served with coriander couscous, this speedy Moroccan dish will be devoured by the whole family.

You need half a large barbecued chicken (approximately 500g) to get the amount of shredded meat required for this recipe. Note

Garam masala literally means “blended spices” in its northern Indian place of origin; it is based on varying proportions of cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, fennel and cumin, roasted and ground together. Black pepper and chilli can be added for a hotter version. Note

Serve this delicious gluten-free crumble with cold vanilla ice-cream.

Apple and blackberry is the classic crumble combination and this oaty version doesn't disappoint.

Succulent pork chops are paired with a zingy apple and cabbage salad with toasted walnuts in this easy, scrumptious dish.

Give your crumbed cutlets a Middle Eastern nudge by blending your breadcrumbs with paprika and cardamom. Teamed with couscous and orange, you'll have something healthy, delicious and just a little bit different from the usual chops and veg.