Fresh vegetables like baby corn, snow peas and bean sprouts are tossed together in garlic to make this delectable stir-fry. The cornflour and water mixture helps to make a thick sauce which coats the veggies lightly and prevents them from drying out.

Strawberries and cream… that classic combination. It's the top-of-the-charts dessert in my home during the season. Introduce a light 'n fluffy sponge cake into the equation, and you've got a real winner. Win compliments (and a few hearts of course) this Valentine's with a freshly baked sponge cake smothered in strawberries and whipped cream…And the garnish? More strawberries of course! I've cut it into a heart shape for Valentine's…you can play around with any shape that you like quite easily, with a paper stencil placed on the cake. If I'm in a hurry I buy readymade sponge cake…you just can't go wrong, with strawberries and cream to dress it all up!

A sinful combination, simply irresistible.

A Swiss Roll presentation with strawberries and custard rolled within thin lightened sponge cake.

Fried ice- cream, a favourite mexican dessert. One has to be very quick while preparing and serving this recipe. It is crunchy from outside and creamy from inside.

A ring of delicate sponge cake, soaked in a syrup flavoured with lemon juice and rum and filled with ice-cream and nuts.

On valentine’s day or any day, this cake is wonderful way to show your affection to your loved ones. Strawberry hearts is made of a freshly-baked heart-shaped sponge cake soaked and sandwiched with whipped cream and strawberries, and garnished with sliced strawberries. The soaking syrup has brandy, giving it a strong flavour quite different from normal sugar syrups.

Chocolate cake, ice-cream and strawberries - a surefire success.

Make your own coconut cream using this extremely simple method. You will never go back to the bought packs again, which do not only cost more but are also filled with preservatives. Coconut cream can be used to make different curries ranging from south-indian to thai curries and various desserts.

Like chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce is also a favourite topping for ice-creams and other desserts like pies and puddings too. It is loved by children especially, due to the attractive colour and fruity flavour. Now, you do not have to buy strawberry sauce from outside as it can be prepared within minutes using this easy and quick method of thickening using corn flour. So, treat yourself and your family to a fruity, vitamin-rich, homemade delight.

Pumpkin dumplings tossed in a crunchy walnut, spinach and cottage cheese sauce. Ground nutmeg adds a delightful new twist to this traditional favourite. Semolina is used for binding the gnocchi along with plain flour as it imparts a delicious texture to the gnocchi. Choose firm, rich, orange coloured pumpkin for a good texture and flavour. Squeeze out all the water from the pumpkin after it has been boiled to reduce the amount of flour required to bind the gnocchi. You can prepare the gnocchi in advance and toss it in the sauce just when you are ready to serve it.

Italian cooking is never complete without the mention of this famed dessert that is as popular beyond the shores of italy as it is within italy. Literally translated tiramisu means “lift me up”. Tira mi su was named for its restorative properties - cream, cheese and wine that were thought to be excellent for those in poor health. The addition of expresso should give a lift to those in the best of health! mascarpone traditionally used for this dessert which is a rich, soft cheese. It is smooth and mild in texture and originated in northern italy. Cream cheese has been substituted in place of mascarpone with equally good results. Marsala, an amber coloured wine from sicily, is a part of the traditional recipe. The sweeter variety is used for this dessert. Port wine has been found to be a good substitute if marsala is not available. You can arrange the tiramisu in individual glasses instead of a serving dish. But this is a must try recipe to lift up spirits!

A delightful combination of rabdi and mangoes interlaced between layers of vanilla sponge and topped with fresh cream. You can also try other gateau recipes like the Orange Gateau or Strawberry White Chocolate Gateau .

Chocolate cake interlaced with seasonal fruits and chantilly cream makes a sumptuous dessert.