Starter

This delicious tuna dip is versatile enough to be a healthy quick and easy after school snack or part of your next cocktail party repertoire. Serve with tortilla chips or sticks of carrot, cucumber and celery.

Fire up your oysters with a shot of mirin and fierce wasabe. Finely chopped cucumber adds a cool edge to this spicy little concoction. Great as a starter, or for handing round a platter with a difference at a party.

Prawns are packed with protein, a good source of omega 3 fatty acids and a delicious way to increase your intake of iron, zinc and vitamin E. Try these prawns with fennel salad and mustard dressing, alfresco style.

Fresh and tasty.

Surprisingly, the humble artichoke is part of the thistle family. Served here topped with chopped pine nuts and fresh chervil, with a tomato vinaigrette, they'll make a sophisticated, mouth-watering appetiser at your next dinner party.

If you're a fan of the classic Swiss style of serving cheese, this camembert fondue ticks all the boxes. Enjoy plunging crispy slices of toasted baguette into this creamy, oozy disc of deliciousness.

Ceviche is truly one of the most delicious ways to serve fish. The combination of Thai flavours with the citrus juice used to 'cook' the fish makes this version especially fabulous.

Quick, simple, tangy and delicious, this scallop and lime salad is a perfect accompaniment to summer days. Serve as a starter at your next barbecue alongside a glass of icy cold, crisp white wine.

Get a good portion of your five-a-day along with a healthy dose of protein with this vegetarian Mexican extravaganza. Serve soup with warmed or toasted tortillas and if you like, a dollop of sour cream.

A well made hollandaise sauce is irresistible, especially when spooned over fresh, barely cooked asparagus. The trick to a prefect sauce is to whisk vigorously and constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling.

Serve this spicy, sticky baked quail for a mouth-watering starter or light meal.

Full of flavour and a hint of spice, these beef empanadas are the ultimate snack or party food. Share them around the next time you entertain family and friends.

Serve these crispy Asian-style fish cakes with spicy dipping sauce for a tantalising starter or light meal. If you like the extra kick, add some more chilli.

We've given the traditional 70's prawn cocktail a modern twist by using baby rocket leaves rather than iceberg lettuce and accompanying it with­ a light and zesty garlic and lime aïoli.

As a side dish, or light and healthy lunch or dinner, try out this roast pumpkin and goat cheese salad. It's a perfectly satisfying meat-free dish, packed full of vitamins, minerals and flavour.

This easy beetroot, asparagus and feta salad is packed full of colour and goodness and makes an appetising addition to the barbecue table. The tangy dressing and walnuts add an extra depth of flavour and texture.

For a perfectly cooked scallop, heat the pan to medium-hot. You should hear an audible sizzle when you place them in the pan. Cook just two minutes either side for this fresh, healthy and luxurious salad.

Potato salad has sure come a long way since the mayonnaise drenched versions. The addition of kumara adds a sweetness of flavour and a smoothness of texture. And not a jar of mayonnaise to be seen.

While a classic French brandade is based on salt cod, it can be made with any fish, flaked into a garlicky sauce. We used ling here, and the resultant take on the traditional is not only just as good but easier to prepare too.

Chicken livers have a strong, yet delicious flavour that marries beautifully with a sweet accompaniment like sherry. Their delicate texture is perfect for crusty bread.

Originally invented in New York at the hotel of its namesake, this traditional Waldorf salad contains all of the original elements. Later editions include raisins and chicken, but we've stuck with the classic recipe, here.

Try these prawns with chilli, coriander and lime butter for a refreshing twist on this Aussie seafood staple. It works beautifully as a starter or even as a main, along with fresh, crusty bread.

Beef carpaccio is a fantastic appetiser to serve when entertaining guests. Buy the best quality beef you can afford for a luxury, melt in the mouth texture and flavour.

Mussels are high in protein and low in fat and calories, so you can feel much better about bathing them in this delicious creamy wine infused soup and mopping up every last drop with some crusty bread.

Celebrate summer's seasonal vegetables with this colourful and healthy vegetable terrine. Make sure you remove it from the fridge well before serving, as it is most delicious when enjoyed at room temperature.

Ceviche is a centuries-old Latin American dish using citrus juice to 'cook' seafood. We used kingfish fillets in our recipe, but you can use whatever you prefer. ­Just be certain to buy the freshest sashimi grade fish you can find.

Make this batch of honey prawns at your next gathering. Everyone from the little ones to the adults will adore these little morsels of sweet orange coloured deliciousness. They are the ultimate finger food.

Duck is not the first meat that comes to mind when you think of a Thai salad, but its gamey flavour and rich texture are actually perfect, contrasting beautifully with the rest of the crisp, spicy salad.

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.

Perfect as a finger food for your next cocktail party, these deep-fried prawns with dipping sauce won't last long. If you pre-prepare the dipping sauce and buy the prawns pre-shelled and de-veined, the dish can be prepared in just a few minutes.

This tomato and capsicum soup will have you wondering why you ever bothered with the tinned stuff. The addition of the beans and the chilli give a hearty and spicy kick. Enjoy with fresh crusty bread.

The perfect starter dish or platter of finger food for a party, Vietnamese prawn rice paper rolls are fresh, delicious and incredibly easy to make. Serve with a dipping sauce.

If you want to serve up a healthy lunch with lots of protein and vegetables, these little vegetable and feta frittata are the way to go. They're also great as after-school snacks, and make a fab packed lunch.

This is an easy home recipe inspired by a wonderful dish served by Armando Percuoco in his Sydney restaurant Buon Ricordo.

You just can't beat the flavour and creamy texture of fresh artichokes poached in wine. And there is no denying the irresistibility of hollandaise sauce. This dish is the perfect addition to any antipasto plate.

Prawn cutlets make an ideal first course or light meal. This is a particularly crisp, tasty batter thanks to the panko crumbs, parmesan and herbs. Serve as soon as they are cooked.

Seafood salad does not have to be accompanied by mounds of mayonnaise. Try our prawn, scallop and asparagus salad with ginger dressing for a light, fresh and zingy alternative. For best results, serve with a crisp chardonnay.

Winter comfort food has never been better with this effortless soup and irresistible garlic bread, filled with capsicum, tomatoes and beans.

Try this delicious Spanish-inspired stuffed squid recipe for an impressive starter or lunch.

Bring all the delights of Italian cuisine to your dinner table with this simple, flavoursome dish.

This rich and hearty soup can be whipped up in about half an hour. Evaporated milk (not to be confused with condensed milk) is canned unsweetened milk from which some of the water has been evaporated.

Brown lentils can be substituted for the puy lentils, although they do require longer cooking. Note

Simple, herbed prawn skewers make a great starter for a dinner party, or share platter for a celebration or barbecue.

The perfect black olive paste for tapas, platters or simply a snack!

For this easy platter, use your favourite cheddar; we like a sharp-tasting aged cheese.

Soak 10 bamboo skewers in cold water for an hour before use to prevent them splintering or scorching during cooking. Note

The fish can be refrigerated for up to 36 hours. You can substitute the gin with vodka or omit the alcohol completely. Micro herbs are small punnets of baby herbs or cress and can be found at good greengrocers, growers markets and some of the larger supermarkets; substitute with small picked leaves from regular bunches […]

Tender slices of beef carpaccio match perfectly with a fragrant green papaya salad.

Incredibly quick and easy to make, these pumpkin and feta pizzas are a great option for a fast mid-week dinner.

Lamb’s lettuce, also known as mache or corn salad, has a mild, almost nutty flavour and tender dark-green leaves. It’s commonly sold in 125g punnets; you will need four punnets for this recipe. Note

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.

The humble and misunderstood cabbage is put to good use with these Japanese inspired cabbage rolls. Dunk them generously in the dipping sauce and experience the uniquely and delicately flavoured pork filling.

Bright, light and fresh, these lime and coriander oysters make a great starter or shared platter for a party.

This salad is simple and delicious with warm slices of haloumi cheese, wedges of avocado, asparagus and a zingy chive dressing.

Serve with crusty bread. Note

Deliciously saucy and packed full of authentic Asian flavours, these char siu and orange spiced beef ribs are perfect to serve your family or friends at a dinner party. Plus, they're made in the pressure-cooker to save you lots of time!

Perfect as part of a spread of shared starters or just as a snack, this garlic toast with feta and olive dip is also quick and easy to make.

This fresh and fragrant Vietnamese beef salad is perfect for a light and low-carb lunch or dinner. For best results, marinate the beef for at least 30 minutes.

Swap chicken stock for vegetable stock. Note

A study in contrasts with crunchy rösti and tender prawns, mild potato and piquant aïoli, these stacks make a spectacular brunch dish or starter when entertaining.

This spiced lentil and roasted kumara soup is just the ticket for those times when you're after a light, meat-free meal full of vitamins and flavour. Serve with crusty bread.

For a simple seafood starter, this dish is one to have in the repertoire. It is so easy to make and tastes great.

Simple yet special, the ideal dish to serve up to friends when you're celebrating in a relaxed style.

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.

These potato and goat cheese puffs will make a moreish and tasty addition to your next dinner party hors-d'oeuvre selection. To save on time, make them in advance and cook just before serving.

You need to soak eight bamboo skewers in cold water for at least an hour before use to prevent them from splintering or burning during cooking. Note

Served with a dollop of yoghurt sprinkled with sumac, these beautiful stuffed vine leaves are a perfect dish to share with friends.

Place the green onion strips in iced water for about 20 minutes to make onion curls, a classic Chinese garnish. Note

Perfectly light and healthy, this zucchini soup is just the ticket for a quick and easy snack, light lunch or dinner party starter. Serve with crusty bread.

Lemon feta toasts, feta recipe, brought to you by Australian Women's Weekly.

To make this mouth-watering recipe a light main course for two, serve it with steamed rice or noodles.

Add some thinly sliced red chilli for a spicy version of this soup, if you like. This is a last minute soup, it doesn’t freeze well. The pasta will become soggy as it absorbs more liquid and the buk choy will discolour. Note

Delicious served with crisp lettuce leaves, these quick stir-fried prawns make a tasty starter or light meal.

Hearty, zesty and creamy, this delicious Milanese style risotto is the ulimate comfort food for a hungry family.

Larb is a classic Thai salad that can be made with minced tofu, chicken or beef as well as duck or pork. It is traditionally flavoured with fish sauce and lime juice and is served at room temperature, usually on salad leaves.

Fresh corn can be used instead of canned corn; you will need two cobs. Sour cream or yoghurt can be used instead of the creme fraiche. Fritters can be made the day before; top them with creme fraiche etc, an hour or so before serving. Note

You will need about 600g watermelon (weighed with skin) for this recipe. Note

This recipe can be frozen. Just complete the recipe to the end of step 2. Cool to room temperature. Spoon into freezer-proof containers, leaving a 2.5cm space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan or microwave on medium power (50%) […]

Tofu is a great and healthy meat alternative. It is especially good for soaking up flavours like those in the sauces and dips which often accompany Asian finger foods.

Just for fun, we used a flower cutter to cut shapes out of the sliced tofu, making this incredibly simple soup very pretty.

One of those dishes that's perfect for brunch, lunch or as a starter, smoked trout with lemon cream on potato scallop stacks is an all round winner.

Recipe can be prepared a day ahead. Add the dressing up to three hours before serving. Note

An excellent option for a nourishing, filling meat-free meal, these individual vegetable and lentil lasagnes will quickly become a family favourite.