Lettuce

The delicate flavour of tarragon is beautiful paired with the bitter leaves of a mixed mesclun salad.

Delicate shreds of lettuce tossed with spring onion and a zingy red wine dressing make this deceptively simple spring salad a mouthwatering side dish.

These quick and tasty protein-packed beef and hummus wraps channel Middle Eastern vibes to create a delicious lunch or dinner that's easy to make and will please the whole family.

Rocket, garlic and chilli add lots of peppery heat to this quick but flavoursome spaghetti dish, while pine nuts and parmesan bring the whole dish together.

Croutons can be prepared a day ahead. Keep in an airtight container. Prawns can be shelled several hours ahead and kept covered in refrigerator. Prepare salad as required. Note

Mexican-style chicken fajitas with pan-fried chicken and capsicum.

Roasted zucchini, eggplant and capsicum can be bought loose from delis, making the job even easier. Slice the stick as close to serving time as possible. Note

Lamb’s lettuce is also known as mâche or corn salad ­ it has a mild, almost nutty flavour and tender, narrow, dark-green leaves. Note

Any whole white fish would be fine to use in this recipe. Ask the fishmonger to clean and scale the fish for you. Use herbs such as tarragon, chervil, lemon thyme, dill and chives. Note

This tasty vegetarian twist on the classic Aussie seafood dish switches squid for tofu. It works perfectly here with a crispy, spiced batter and a zesty Asian inspired salad.

We used a bottled mixture of cornichons and baby pickled onions. Rillettes are a classic dish served for an aperitif with slices of baguette, cornichons and a glass of red wine. Duck or goose rillettes are also very popular in France. Note

Chapatis are available in packets of 6 from the bakery section in supermarkets. You can substitute any variety of flour tortillas, if preferred. Note

Crunchy crumbed chicken schnitzel with a fresh and zingy coleslaw,

Instead of topping the salad with sesame seeds and green onion, try using finely shredded toasted nori. Note

Kumara slices can be baked several hours ahead. Keep covered. Assemble salad and add dressing just before serving. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to slice the cucumber length-ways into thin ribbons. Use disposable gloves when handling beetroot top prevent staining your fingers. If taking to work, toast the bread at lunch time just before you’re ready to assemble. Note

You need one medium pomegranate for this recipe. Note

A light salad that packs a flavourful punch through the roquefort cheese and dijon dressing.

To save time, buy shelled prawns from the fishmonger. Note

Some people find the bitterness of radicchio a little overpowering. Try brushing each whole radicchio with oil and grill or barbecue until the outside leaves are charred and the inside is tender. This will give a sweeter smokey flavour. Slices of mango or paw paw make a nice addition to this salad. Note

You could use pastrami, shaved turkey or chicken breast instead of the beef. Note

Light and crunchy Asian greens salad with a flavourful sesame and ginger dressing.

Rice paper wrappers are available from the Asian food section of supermarkets. Note

A light and healthy salad that is full of bright colours and big flavours.

The inspiration for this tasty salad is that famous New York deli sandwich, the Reuben, a universal favourite ever since its creation in the early 1900s.

Chicken can be coated with parmesan several hours ahead. Place in a single layer on a plate and keep refrigerated. Cook chicken and prepare salad as required. Note

Pepitas, dried pumpkin seeds, are available hulled or unhulled, raw or roasted. Most people here usually eat them as a snack or in a homemade muesli, but in many other countries they are commonly ground into meal for use as a sauce thickener. Note

A bright and summery salad packed full of healthy and crunchy raw vegetables.

Grilled sausages with a colourful and delicious pear and witlof salad.

To make a quick cocktail sauce, add a couple of teaspoons of tomato sauce and chilli sauce or Tabasco to the mayonnaise. Note

A fish burger makes a delicious alternative to a beef burger. You can use white-fleshed fish, or even prawns, instead of the salmon for something different. Note

Generally the meat filling and lettuce leaves are served separately; guests fill and roll their own lettuce leaves. Note

You can use soft goat’s cheese in place of the feta. Note