Hand-rolled sushi

This type of sushi (temaki zushi) is great fun as all the ingredients are prepared beforehand and guests make their own sushi, without the need for sushi mats. The sushi should be eaten as soon as it's made. Provide each guest with a finger bowl [...]

Soup of leafy greens and herbs

Not only is this soup delicious, but you can almost feel those vitamin-packed leafy greens doing you good as you eat it. Hearty but not too heavy, it is a wonderful dish for summer and autumn. You can use all sorts of greens – simply adjust the [...]

Vegetable soup with fragrant pesto

This soup is based on pistou, the classic French soup from Provence. Laden with vegetables and pasta, and flavoured with pesto, the delicious basil and parmesan sauce, it makes a fabulous change from minestrone, its Italian counterpart. French [...]

Vietnamese broth with noodles

Punchy flavours and aromatic ingredients transform a light broth into an exotic dish that makes a substantial starter or a light meal. The ingredients are not fried before being simmered – making this a great low-fat soup – so select [...]

Courting disaster

I mentioned to an unmarried friend of mine – an attorney – that he should attend a working singles mixer for lawyers. He hated the idea. “Why,” he asked,” would I want to start a relationship with someone who’s been trained to argue for a living?”

Silver lining

After one glance at my updated driver’s licence photo, I said the first thing that came to mind: “Ugghhh!” “What’s wrong?” asked the clerk behind the counter. “I look ancient in this picture!” I said. “Well, look at the bright side,” she [...]

A little on the nose

I work at a garden centre and was tickled to overhear one customer saying to another: “I never knew what compost was until I met husband.”

Cinnamon banana caramels

Any fruit can be used to make this instant version of crème brûlée. The fruit is topped with Greek style yogurt - a lower-fat alternative to thick cream, very handy to have in the fridge for serving with desserts - then topped with raw sugar and [...]

Sirloin steaks with port sauce

Thin sirloin steaks, sometimes sold as minute steaks, can be quickly fried, and the juices left in the pan turned into an instant sauce with the help of a little port. A colourful stir-fry of tiny new potatoes, mushrooms, red capsicum and [...]

Speedy two-bean chilli

Here's a hearty and satisfying chilli – without the carne (meat) – that can be made in minutes. This version combines two varieties of beans with corn in a rich tomato sauce flavoured with herbs, fresh chilli and chilli sauce. Serve with boiled [...]

Hot fruity parcels

Baking fruit in paper parcels is a brilliant way of sealing in all the flavour. It also makes a novel presentation method and saves on washing up! Serve this delicious fruity treat of fresh pineapple and dried apricots with a dollop of [...]

Citrus salad with dates

Fresh dates are such a treat: sweet, succulent and tender. They are the perfect complement to grapefruit and orange in this refreshing vitamin C-rich dessert. With a syrup flavoured with star anise, Campari and some fresh mint, this offers a [...]

Chicken escalopes with mushrooms

Tender chicken escalopes – breast steaks pounded until thin – only need brief cooking. Simmered with firm-textured chestnut mushrooms and a Madeira sauce finished with crème fraîche, they make a dish that is perfect for easy entertaining. Serve [...]

Pappardelle with eggplant

A good tomato sauce can turn a plate of pasta and eggplant into a delicious dish. The inspiration comes from Catania, in the shadow of Mount Etna in Sicily, where eggplant and tomato pasta is known as pasta alla Norma, in honour of the town's [...]

Seared pork with cumquats

Here, thinly sliced pork fillet is quickly browned in a sizzling hot, ridged cast-iron grill pan, then simmered with tangy cumquats, honey, Dijon mustard, white wine and stock. It is served on a bed of puréed potato, accompanied by crisp green [...]
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