Everyone loves parmigiana. Here we’ve spiced things up with some chipotle sauce, jalapeno chillies and coriander.

This delectably soft, gently spiced cake becomes impossible to resist when topped with the mellow sweetness of baked apples and rich and spoonable whisky caramel. 

"We gave this comforting cheesy dish a fancy look by piping the mash, but it will taste just as good if you simply spoon it over the mince." - Lucy Nunes

"I love the contrast of the sweetness of seafood with a rich and hot curry. You want to find the right balance for you, so you can still taste everything, but get enough potency that it really amplifies all of the flavours and gets those tastebuds going! Here, this recipe celebrates South Africa’s love of chilli and the abundance of great seafood. I’d eat this simply with some flatbreads, but it would go well with rice, too." – Warren Mendes. This recipe is from an edited extract from Food Trail: South Africa by Warren Mendes, published by Booktopia Studios, $59.99. Photography by Toby Murphy.

If you're looking for the perfect thing to bake this weekend, these spiced apple scrolls are it. Light and fluffy bread surrounds a gooey filling of apples, spices and brown sugar, slathered with a maple syrup cream cheese frosting. Perfect as an afternoon tea treat or even a morning pastry with your coffee, these spiced apple scrolls will not last long!

"Roasts bring people together, turning a meal into a shared experience. The slow-cooked flavours and the tradition of carving make each occasion feel like a genuine celebration. For my family roasts, I usually turn to a perfectly roasted leg of lamb. I season the lamb with garlic and rosemary, then slow-cook it until it’s beautifully tender and flavoursome - simple, but truly delicious. It’s the kind of roast that makes any gathering feel special. My number-one rule for roasting meats is to let the meat come to room temperature before cooking; it ensures even cooking and a perfect roast. And don’t forget to rest it after it comes out of the oven – this lets the juices settle and keeps everything juicy and tender." – Matt Moran

If you thought carbonara pasta couldn't get any better, just wait until you've tried this soup. Here, the classic creamy and salty flavours are reimagined into a warming and textural soup, ideal for a cosy night on the couch. Thin matchsticks of salty bacon and chewy bow tie pasta add the perfect amount of bite to this rich sauce, where two parmesan rinds add just the right amount of sharpness. Served with gooey soft-poached eggs for added indulgence, this soup recipe will be hard to beat.    

Beef shin is also known as osso buco if cut across the bone, or gravy beef if boneless. Whichever cut you use, the meat is high in collagen. When cooked low and slow, it breaks down, giving you a rich, tender result.  You’ll need to start this recipe 5 hours ahead, and you’ll need a large round, shallow cast-iron baking dish with a lid. 

“For my entire life, or at least my entire life as a baking book author, I have been on a quest to find the perfect chocolate cake. Now, I know this is a near impossible feat. There are at least 10 versions of chocolate cakes that I can rattle off at the drop of a hat, but still, I will forever be on the quest for that perfect cake. This one comes fairly close, and I present it to you. This darling. She is rich in cocoa flavour and has a beautiful tight sponge. I’ve served this with a mascarpone whip, but a chocolate buttercream works perfectly, too.” - Emelia Jackson

There's nothing saintly about this beauty of a dish – it's all decadence. The rich, sweet-and-savoury sauce coating these melting lamb shanks makes every mouthful a memorable one, especially when served over an impossibly smooth and buttery Paris mash. Prime your ovens, people – you're going to be making this one all winter long. You'll need to start this recipe 3 hours ahead.

“A very retro and much-loved dish has had a Christmas twist added to it. By doing the garlic as a confit, it makes for a sweeter, more caramelised flavour, and I’ve added in cranberries for some Christmas flair.”  – Matt Moran

Why choose between a crumble and a pie when you can have both? The brown butter gives the pastry and crumble the most amazing aroma and flavour. You’ll need to start this recipe at least 6 hours ahead, and you’ll need a 17cm (base) x 22cm (top) ovenproof frypan or metal pie dish.

We’ve taken this Scottish classic of minced beef and mashed potato and turned it into a handsome pie, perfect for cooler nights. 

This easy mushroom pie is the perfect warming meal for any day of the week. Ideal as a vegetarian pie option, this delicious savoury pie delivers on all fronts.

This easy recipe is perfect for a cold winter’s day when you feel like lasagne but don’t feel like waiting. On the table in 35 minutes, it’s super-comforting, with silky sheets of pasta, tasty meatballs and gooey melted cheese.