In season

• Seasonal produce

Why winter veg tastes better – and the $3 bargain to buy now

As temperatures drop, winter vegetables actually get sweeter. Experts share the best seasonal buys, how to spot juicy fruit, and the $3 steal to grab now.

• Erina Starkey

• Seasonal produce

The good news for lemon (and other fruit and veg) fans as the big squeeze continues

Pumpkins, figs and citrus fruits are in your future. And the hot tip is to hit farmers’ markets because diesel prices are falling hardest on supermarkets.

• Erina Starkey

• Recipe collection
• Meal prep

Five crowd-pleasing dishes to cook this weekend (and eat next week)

Packed with soft herbs and seasonal greens, try these slightly lighter and brighter takes on comfort food faves such as stew and bolognese.

• Recipe collection
• Baking

20 ways to make the most of berry cheap strawberries and blueberries

Pick up some punnets and pile as many bargain berries into (and onto) these baked goods until they are full to bursting.

• Baking

Mark the change of season with RecipeTin Eats’ spring fling asparagus quiche

Spread a picnic rug or set up an outdoor table and celebrate spring with this gorgeous asparagus and bacon quiche.

• 1-2 hrs
• RecipeTin Eats

• Quick & easy

Easy to make, even easier to eat: RecipeTin Eats’ strawberry cheesecake sundae pots

It’s creamy, dreamy and looks a million dollars. But best of all, it can be made ahead, then assembled at the last minute.

• < 30 mins
• RecipeTin Eats

• Meat

Parsley and coriander lamb chops recipe

We love lamb chops. The high fat content in the lamb takes on the flavours of the zesty lamb marinade paste beautifully, heightened again when the chops are charred on the barbecue. If you're looking for a quick meal, this one takes 15 minutes to prepare, and it works for a few mouths or many – just increase the number of chops and add a green salad.

• < 30 mins
• Darren Robertson and Mark LaBrooy

• Cake

Chocolate fondant cake with Grand Marnier poached oranges

Here's an ultra rich and gooey dessert perfect for winter. With fondants, timing is important, so they need to be served shortly after cooking. The whole point is a soft, runny, warm centre! You will need to refrigerate the mixture before baking.

• 30 mins - 1 hr
• Neil Perry

• Savoury pies & tarts

Beef pie recipe: Beef chuck and pea pies

Pair this delicious homemade beef pie (with a touch of spring) with a seasonal salad and you have the makings of a great family dinner.

• 2 hrs +
• Neil Perry

• Poultry

Classic roast chicken with buttered vegetables recipe

There are few dishes more fundamental than a good roast chicken, the basics of which follow two important principles. The first is to never overcook it. Chicken is full of flavour but it has a reputation for being dry because we're terrified of under-cooking it, so we go way too far the other way. If you have to make a trade-off between crispy-brown skin and succulent, tender chicken, go for tender every time.

• 1-2 hrs
• Adam Liaw