Few chefs know their way around a home kitchen quite like Karen Martini. The Melbourne chef and food writer has been cooking professionally for more than 20 years, and she has a knack for turning everyday ingredients into recipes you want to make again and again.
Whether you’re after a 20-minute weeknight dinner, a party snack or dessert, these are 22 of her best recipes to cook on repeat.
Karen Martini’s top recipes from the BHG archives
Zesty and gluten-free, these biscuits are rolled in caster sugar and icing sugar, and a pistachio or glacé cherry before baking. They make a perfect afternoon tea treat.
There’s no cream, and the heat from the pancetta, pasta and cooking water gently cooks the eggs and melts the cheese. Have this carbonara on the table in 20 minutes.
You can’t go wrong with this flavour-packed fish curry. Even better? It’s loaded with well-known immune boosters such as garlic, onion and ginger to give your system an extra kick.
These golden puff pastry rolls hide sweet potato, carrot and zucchini in a filling of beef mince and pork and fennel sausage, so they’re as good for the kids as they are delicious.
This is Karen’s quick take on lahmacun, the classic Turkish street food. Spiced mince is pressed onto pita bread and pan-fried until crisp, making it a weeknight win in under 20 minutes.
Karen’s fail-safe method for crackling involves pouring boiling water over the skin, roasting slowly, then cranking up the heat at the end. It’s served with a lettuce salad scattered with toasted crunchy rice and is absolutely delicious.
Soft homemade bread rolls are wrapped around fingers of mozzarella, baked until golden, then spooned with a lemony garlic and sesame butter. Make a double batch and thank yourself later.
Chicken thighs baked on a bed of jasmine rice with tom yum paste, coconut cream, lemongrass and lime leaves, giving you a full meal in one tray.
A light, fluffy vanilla sponge is layered with strawberry jam, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. This recipe is the ultimate partner for a cup of tea.
Satisfying yet lovely and light, this versatile all-rounder is a taste sensation with the fragrant mix of herbs and roasted pumpkin. Sprinkle on pepitas to give it a nice crunch!
Restaurant-style pasta in 20 minutes. Anchovies melt into the garlicky oil, then zucchini, prawns, a splash of white wine and fresh mint come together in a glossy sauce.
Greek feta and a sprinkle of sumac lift these herby zucchini fritters, which work for brunch, lunch or dinner.
The citrus syrup amps up the zing in this dessert, while the coconut flakes add crunch. It tastes just as impressive as it looks!
If you have a sweet tooth but want to mix up your cravings from the usual chocolate treats, then Karen’s caramel slice will have you going nutty.
Sweet, spicy and sticky, these drumettes are coated in bold Asian flavours and finished with crunchy peanuts and sesame seeds.
Karen’s secret is infusing the milk with bonito flakes for extra savoury depth, and using Grana Padano with aged cheddar or Gruyère.
Roast chicken and potatoes with herbs, garlic, and olive oil, then top with thick slices of halloumi drizzled with honey and vinegar to make this one-tray dinner something special.
Packed with seeds and oats, this loaf is best served in thick slices topped with creamy ricotta and a drizzle of maple syrup.
A golden syrup and ginger cake sits under a luscious topping of caramelised pears and glacé ginger.
This decadent chocolate cake is filled with coconut buttercream and finished with a glossy chocolate glaze. Nobody will know it’s gluten-free.
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