Just over six years ago I began writing a weekly food feature for Sunday , the magazine supplement of New Zealand’s Sunday Star-Times newspaper.

More than 600 recipes later, readers all over New Zealand have told me about collecting their favourites. These responses to my Sunday recipes and requests to gather them into book form have motivated me to republish them.

The recipes are a mixed lot. Some will be familiar, possibly made with a new ingredient or two, or an alternative cooking method to keep them fresh for cooks and the people they cook for.

To everyone who has responded so positively to the Sunday recipes thank you, and best wishes to all readers in their culinary adventures.