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50cm-square prepared cake board. Most children love lamingtons. We’ve used a lot of them to make this spectacular pyramid ­ just watch it be devoured. Don’t forget a desert-sand coloured background. For an Egyptian-themed party have the guests come in fancy dress. Note

Panzanella is a refreshing Tuscan summer bread salad. We’ve put our own spin on it by using little cubes of radish sandwich instead of the traditional bread pieces. Note

To prevent them from drying out, keep finished ura-maki wrapped in plastic, uncut, until ready to serve. Goes well with sesame dipping sauce, and oysters osaka. Note

Equipment 35cm (14-inch) round wooden cake board 20cm (8-inch) round wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 6 wooden skewers Fine long wooden skewer Silicone flower mould Small metal spatula 4 small piping bags Small (number 2) plain piping tube Silicone moulds come in myriad shapes and sizes. The mould we […]

EQUIPMENT: 12 lengths 18-gauge floral wire Long-nosed pliers Flower glue Styrofoam Block vinyl mat 3cm (1-inch), round cutter 4cm (1½-inch), round cutter 5.5cm (2¾-inch) round cutter Flower mat Ball tool Fine artist’s paint brush Small non-stick rolling pin 12-hole round-based, shallow (1 tablespoon/20ml) patty pan Stamens 1.5cm (¾-inch) 4-petal blossom cutter Florist’s tape 45cm (18-inch) […]

This beautifully sweet dish combines fluffy brioche, creamy mascarpone cheese and fresh mixed berries to create this indulgent breakfast dish, perfect for the weekend!

Be careful when working with silken tofu as it is very soft and breaks easily. Use a mix of basil and mint leaves if you cannot find japanese mint. Note

Refreshing raspberry, yoghurt and strawberry terrine with a sweet berry and fresh mint salad - a show-stopping dessert for your next dinner party!

You will need two medium mangoes (860g) for this recipe. Note

Ready-made seasoned bean-curd skins and seasoned gourd (kampyo) strips are available from Asian specialist grocery stores. For rice vinegared water, add 1 tablespoon rice vinegar to medium bowl of cold water. Note

Marinated bocconcini makes a great addition to antipasto platters or fresh green salads, use baby bocconcini, if available. Recipe can be refrigerated for 2 weeks. Note

Watercress has deep green, clover-shaped leaves that have a peppery, spicy flavour. It is highly perishable and should be used the day it is bought. Note

You can substitute any fruit for the strawberries and mangoes in this recipe. Mixed berries are another great option, remember frozen berries are full of flavour and are just as delicious as fresh ones, so this is a good year round alternative. Note

We used car patches available from craft and sewing stores. You could use small diecast cars from toy shops. Be aware of choking hazards if using small plastic cars. If you want a daytime scene, colour the icing light blue and use a yellow jube as the sun and the sugar pearls to represent sun […]

Rich and delicious mocha trifle with a kick of Tia Maria or your favourite liqueur.

You need 24 witlof leaves for this recipe. Note

A light and delicate salad with smoked chicken, cranberry, pear and pecan nuts.

Oil needs to be added slowly to prevent mixture separating. Should the mixture separate, whisk in two tablespoons of hot water. Note

The rolls are suitable to freeze at the end of step 2 for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator then cut into slices. Note

A light and healthy smoked chicken salad for a midweek lunch.

You need about three passionfruit for this recipe. You could layer these trifles in two 1-cup (250ml) glasses, for a prettier look. Note

Use Skittles as an alternative to the mini M&M’s. Store the cakes in an airtight container in a cool darkplace. Refrigerating the cakes will cause the colour on the M&M’s to run. Note

Traditionally served as an accompaniment to spicy dishes, this recipe would also make a great light vegetarian starter. Note

EQUIPMENT 35cm (14-inch) round wooden cake board 20cm (8-inch) round wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board 10cm (4-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 19 wooden cake skewers Paper piping bag 3.7cm (1½-inch) perspex measure Pizza cutter artist’s fine paint brush Tape measure It’s important to allow time for the icing on […]

For a milder pistou, substitute flat-leaf parsley for half of the rocket. Note

This simple salad will be all the better for using a good quality aged balsamic vinegar in the dressing. The flavour will be more intense and the consistency more syrupy than those of younger balsamic vinegars. Note

You can improvise with the ingredients in this trifle. Try sponge finger biscuits instead of biscotti, raspberries in place of cherries and a nut-flavoured liqueur as a substitute for the marsala. Biscotti is available at selected delicatessens, specialty food stores and online. Note

To toast sesame seeds, spread them on shallow tray, bake in a moderate oven five minutes, or until golden. Note

Cute and fun little nippy the crab cupcakes that the kids will love.

Equipment: 30cm square wooden cake board, 15cm square wooden cake board, 10cm square woode cake board, smoothing tools, 2.5cm, 3cm and 3.5cm perspex measures, fine artist’s paint brush, stitching tool, 8 wooden skewers, 3 paper piping bags, vinyl mat tape measure, cotton wool. Use perspex measure to measure sides of cakes for lids. Press the […]

You can reserve the strained rhubarb to flavour smoothies, or spoon on top of porridge, cereal or yoghurt. Note

It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Mini pavlova shells are available from most supermarkets. You need six passionfruit for this recipe. Note

Labne can be left to drain and thicken, still weighted, in the fridge for up to three days. Note

A fun and yummy cake that's up to no good.

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

You can substitute cooked crab meat for the prawns in this salad. Note

A bright and colourful summer olive salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

Ready-made rich chocolate fudge frosting is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

Equipment needed: 9cm heart cutter, 20cm 18-gauge floral wire, wire cutters, 35cm round wooden cake board, 20cm round wooden cake board, 15cm round wooden cake board, smoothing tools, 6 wooden cake skewers, and a paper piping bag. The hearts can be made weeks ahead; store in an airtight container. Position them on the day of […]

This cocktail should be made with the best bourbon you can buy. Use a 300ml highball glass. Note

Equipment 30cm (12-inch) round cake board small new artists’ paint brush The biohazard tape was ordered online from the US. Printing the words `biohazard’ onto yellow tape with a permanent marker adds a visual effect which is just as good, and less expensive. test kitchen tips Use any lollies you like, but make sure they […]

EQUIPMENT 25cm x 35cm (10-inch x 14-inch) rectangular cake board 5cm (2-inch) heart cutter 3cm (1¼-inch) heart cutter Use any shaped cutter for this cake, try snowflakes or stars. You can use letter cutters and write the name of the child on the cake. Use coloured sprinkles that suit the occasion of your party. If […]

Coleslaw is a great crunchy addition to sandwiches. It can have just about anything in it as long as shredded cabbage is the chief ingredient. Most coleslaws also have grated carrot and a mayonnaise or vinegar (or both) dressing. Note

Macaroons are available from speciality bakery shops and select supermarkets. If you can’t find them, any small round filled biscuit will do. Try mini Oreos or Wagon Wheels, or Monte Carlos. Colour the butter cream, and decorate the robot, using any colours and lollies you like. Fruit Mentos and Smarties come in pastel colours, if […]

An essential on pub menus across the UK, a ploughman’s lunch is at its most basic, cheese, pickle of some kind and bread. It’s thought to have originated as a ploughboy’s lunch, but variations on the theme are wide, with cold meats and vegetables now common features. Any combination of cheese and pickles will work […]

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

You can substitute dried apricots or apple rings for the dried pears, if you like. Note

Use white Candy Melts in place of chocolate Melts for an extra-white finish. Note

EQUIPMENT 30cm x 40cm (12-inch x16-inch) rectangular cake board Wooden skewer Test kitchen tips: If using butter cream instead of the vanilla frosting, you will need one quantity of butter cream. Look for cakes with slightly domed tops, otherwise you will have to trim the cake tops to create the curved book shape. You will […]

Macaroons are available from specialty bakery shops and select supermarkets. If you can’t find them, any small round filled biscuit will do. Try mini Oreos or mini Wagon Wheels, or Monte Carlos. Note

The butterflies can be made months ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature. Tylose powder is a hardening agent, it helps the butterflies maintain their wings in an upward position. Cascading butterflies of just about any colour will look splendid on a tiered cake like this. Keep the colour of the cakes pale, […]

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.

Buy greek or lebanese baklava from specialty shops, delicatessens or some coffee shops. Note

Use any melon and berry combination; just make sure you use the same amounts. Note

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