Neil Perry

Chef and Good Weekend columnist

Neil Perry is a restaurateur, chef and former Good Weekend columnist.Connect via email.

Soup

Hot-and-sour prawn soup

Add lime juice to this soup after it has stopped boiling to keep the taste nice and fresh.

< 30 mins
Neil Perry

Salad

Thai-style squid salad

In the salad, the squid could easily be replaced by prawns, fish, chicken, beef or pork.

< 30 mins
Neil Perry

Curry

Curry favour with your guests by making them this mouthwatering beef rendang. This delicious rendang can be made with lamb or chicken – just alter the cooking time. Using a small shoulder of lamb (about a kilo) will take a little less time, while chicken thighs will be ready in 30 minutes.

1-2 hrs
Neil Perry

This prawn salad is great with any citrus fruit. — EASY

Salad

Asian prawn and pomelo salad

Pomelo (also known as Chinese grapefruit) is the largest member of the citrus family. Its skin is thick and yellow, while its flesh tends to be slightly sweeter than that of grapefruit. However, this salad is great with any citrus fruit, including grapefruit, orange or mandarin. Adding lots of fresh mint is good, too.

< 30 mins
Neil Perry

Neil Perry's hot and sour braised oxtail.

Casseroles & braises

Hot-and-sour oxtail

This traditional Asian dish will require a little extra shopping, but the result is worth it.

2 hrs +
Neil Perry

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

Neil Perry's beef chuck pie with peas. Yes please!

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

Fennel, orange and olive salad with tuna. — EASY

Salad

Fennel, orange and olive salad with oil-poached tuna

The flavours in this salad are so vibrant they'll disarm anyone! It works beautifully with just about any seafood; use tinned tuna if you want to make it really simple but be sure it is a brand that supports sustainability. If you do poach fresh tuna, prepare a day ahead for best flavour.

30 mins - 1 hr
Neil Perry

Casseroles & braises

Italian chicken with capsicum and summer tomatoes

The best tomatoes come out in late summer, so it's a good time to make this chicken dish - and to use tomatoes in salads often. Serve the chicken with chat potatoes or your favourite pasta, and a green salad.