Classic favourites get a delicious twist in these clever recipes

From Caribbean banana bread to bolognese risotto, have some fun in the kitchen with these recipes for deliciously twisted classic.

Coconut banana bread lamingtons Credit: Alan Benson

Award-winning chefs and clever cooks put unexpected twists on everything from fried rice to French toast in Deliciously Twisted Classics.

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Deliciously Twisted Classics

series • 

Reality

PG

series • 

Reality

PG

Messing with mac and cheese (in a good way)

If you love the classic comfort of a hearty mac and cheese, and the flavours of Mexico, this recipe from Pati Jinich is for you. "You want me to tell you where I got the idea for this? I make this really yummy poblano chili sauce that I use on so many things. I made that sauce super cheesey, added some vegetables, dropped in some pasta, and there you have mac and cheese Mexicano - and it is so good.

Credit: Pati's Mexican Table

Banana bread has a big family

Pop over to our banana bread recipe collection (there are delicious banana cakes, muffins and even a wild banana damper, too) and you'll see just how varied this favourite can be. Try Caribbean banana bread made with sweet potato, banana and peanuts; chocolate walnut banana bread; banana bread, raspberry and ricotta trifles (a great way to use up leftover banana bread); or coconut banana bread lamingtons, which combine two Australian favourites!

Coconut banana bread lamingtons Credit: Alan Benson

Spaghetti bolognese, but not as you know it

Spag bol is an enduring Aussie favourite, and makes a great canvas for inventive twists. Add some Indigenous flavour with a rich, meaty pepperberry bolognese; try Adam Liaw's vegan version, which features a umami-rich mushroom sauce; combine two favourites in Ben Shewry's bolognese risotto; or try Marion Grasby's Asian-ish bolognese, where eggplant adds a velvety feel to the sauce, and soy sauce and star anise add flavour.

Credit: Sippakorn Wongthanapa

The VoVo is so, so good

The distinctive looks and flavours of much-loved Aussie biscuit the Iced VoVo have inspired some very creative twists. If you've got time to go all-out in a baking, layering and decorating marathon, Grace Angel's Ice VoVo mousse cake is a stunning dessert. Also stunning, but a little simpler, is Katherine Sabbath's Iced VoVo trifle, or move into fun small cake territory with Anneka Manning's VoVo cakes or Farah Celjo's VoVo-inspired jam and coconut madeleines.

Jam and coconut madeleines Credit: Alan Benson

Twist the toastie

For simple but endlessly varied comfort food, look no further than the toastie. Make it Turkish-ish with a three-cheese and spinach gozleme-inspired toastie made with pita bread; add some punch with a kimchi cheese toastie; or whip up a triple-decker Bombay sandwich.

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