Recipes and Meal Ideas

Feeding a gaggle of girls for your own or your friend’s pre-baby celebration? What a great opportunity to serve up a decadent spread! If the gender of the baby is known, go crazy with pink or blue (or do a mix of the two). And make the most of mini morsels – ‘baby-sized’ bites that are easy to eat while you gossip and play silly games.

Hosting a dinner party is loads of fun, but planning and carrying off a successful evening can be a little stressful. Those feelings of stress can rock your ‘hostess with the most-ess’ confidence, and sometimes lead to chaos in the kitchen …

Don’t stress – here is a selection of dishes that are suitable to serve to all types of guests, from small fry to the in-laws, or even your partner’s boss! Check out these kid-friendly, sophisticated and casual meal plans.

It’s Bastille Day next week (Wednesday July 14), so why not get in the spirit with a gathering to celebrate everything Gallic? Either host a party at home, or head out to a Bastille Day event … here are some ideas:

We've been on the hunt for the perfect banana bread recipe for some time and we think we've got it! Ideal for brunch with the girls, or even as a warm winter dessert. This recipe has come all the way from Botswana.

If you have a children's special occasion to attend and you're required to bring a plate, we have some great ideas to ensure your contribution is a hit on the day.

Here are the answers to common cocktail food questions – from what type of canapés to serve, how to serve them, and the number of bites required to satisfy each guest’s hunger …

The chilly weather calls for cosy nights in, so if you’re a fan of comfort food and love to share a hearty meal with mates, plan a Christmas in July event at your place. We’ve got stacks of Chrissy invites to choose from …

Do you love Christmas and all things festive? Then don’t wait another six months for December to finally roll around. Instead, celebrate Christmas the way those who live in the Northern Hemisphere do – when it’s wintery and chilly outside, and warm and cosy inside!

The doona is coming out and we’re experiencing crisper mornings and cooler afternoons once the sun disappears behind the clouds … yes, we’re in the last weeks of autumn before the big winter chill arrives with a vengeance.

Want more time to enjoy Christmas Day and less time slaving in the kitchen? Try this fantastic salad. Ingredients - 1 shoulder of lamb (approx 2.5 kg), 4 shallots halved but not peeled, 6 cloves garlic left whole, 1 carrot peeled and halved, sea salt, 500ml boiling water, small handful freshly chopped mint, 1 pomegranate.

Dads young and old deserve a day of fun with their kids on Father’s Day! So on Sunday 5 September, give him the day off from his usual weekend dad duties and invite him to do something special together. Here are some ways to celebrate Father’s Day and show him how much he means to you:

Easter is a lovely chance to spend time with family and friends. There’s the fun of the Easter bunny for the kids, and a few days off for the adults. Enjoy the long weekend in the company of loved ones with a meal at your place – here are three easy recipe plans for inspiration.

Did anyone say nachos? How about inviting some families over this weekend for an early dinner with the children – and give the gathering a Mexican theme! It’s fun and suitable for all the family. Here’s an easy-peasy Mexican-inspired menu plan:

You don’t have to be bilingual to enjoy the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival 2010. Anyone who’s a fan of European cinema (and doesn’t mind subtitles!) will love the line-up of films being shown on screens across Australia during March. The program promises to be diverse, offering 43 French flicks to make you laugh, cry and really think.

Those who've hosted gatherings for little people are well aware of the effects that too much sugar can inflict on a get-together. Hyperactivity, tantrums and tears are all best avoided on this special day, and by serving nutritious food, it's almost certain that some of those negative party experiences can be avoided.

Party time doesn’t have to equal junk food all the time.

Barbeques are such a top Aussie way to cook and enjoy food and let’s face it, they’re the easiest way to get your man involved in the cooking! These days you can cook almost anything on the barbie from a delicious whole snapper wrapped in foil to gourmet vegetables.

Whether you’re the next Nigella Lawson, or have trouble serving up anything more sophisticated than spag bol, cooking classes can be a fun day or night out for everyone.

Here’s a decadent idea if you’re a sweet-tooth: host a party where the only food on offer is dessert! You can either invite everyone to arrive after they’ve had their dinner (say, 8pm), or have your gathering in the afternoon. Either way, your guests will be licking their lips with all the sweet treats on offer …

There’s nothing like a good Indian takeaway on a Friday night, but what’s to stop you from creating your own Indian dining experience at home? These classic favourites will have your guests coming back for seconds.

Transport your dinner guests to the laid-back lifestyle of the Mediterranean – here’s a delicious selection of food to serve outdoors on a balmy evening. Chill the white wine and relax!

Asian food is always tasty and it’s often good for you, too, with its clean, fresh flavours. Treat your guests to a tastebud explosion with these Oriental-inspired dishes.

Keep Sunday 9 May free to do something special with your mum – it’s Mother’s Day! Here are some ways to show her how much you care:

Whether you're hosting a gaggle of toddlers or a gang of school kids, easy finger food always proves a popular party staple.

Running out of weekend activity ideas for the kids? You’ve done the bowling, bike tracks and movies, so now give yourself a break from driving all over town, and enjoy some no-effort, at-home fun. Allow each child to invite a friend over so it’s double the fun. Here are a couple of classic activities to keep them busy …

There’s something chic and cool about going retro, from fashion to furniture and even food! Here are some menu plans if you fancy hosting a retro dinner party – many of these recipes take inspiration from the ‘70s, so you could invite everyone to dress up in flares to fit in with the food theme! We’ve included a selection of retro entrees, mains and desserts to get your menu planning started:

Did someone say sangria? Spanish is a perfect dinner party theme, with stacks of options for tasty starters and yummy mains. From tapas to paella, you can create a crowd-pleasing feast with flavours that are way more exciting that barbequed steak and salad.

Looking for an easy entertaining option? Inviting friends over for drinks can be easy and fun. It can be as formal or as informal as you like, you don’t need to be daunted by cooking, and you can keep things contained to just your living room, or outside. Some yummy but easy nibbles suggestions include…

Having some pals over for a leisurely breakfast is a nice way to entertain in summer, especially before the heat sets in on really scorching days (by which time all you want to do is lie on the couch in air-conditioned comfort!).

Or so they tell us… the recipe below has been forwarded to us by a fabulous foodie friend. Known as “Scout’s Cupcakes”, in keeping with this week’s theme it would be cruel not to forward this sure fire wining recipe onto you. Enjoy! Perfect for tea time at home, baby showers or a hen’s afternoon tea party:

Q. I’m having a family barbeque and my cousin is bringing his new girlfriend, who’s vegetarian. Do I need to cater to her needs?

Moving house is no easy task – the thought of having to shift absolutely everything you own from one abode to another fills most of us with dread. So once you've put in all the hard yards - packing and unpacking a zillion boxes, working out where to put your furniture in the new place, sorting out electricity and phone connections - you definitely deserve a party!