Four simple ingredients of a Valentine's Day treat

So when Rachael Bermingham and Kim McCosker found the answer – a cookbook where every recipe needs just four ingredients – they turned it into the best-selling book in Australia, even outselling Nigella Lawson.

The book – 4 Ingredients – shot to number one in the UK Amazon charts.

Authors Kim and Rachael admit they're not chefs. But with four boys between them under six, they have had to learn how to prepare meals quickly.

"4 Ingredients has been such a huge success because everyone – from busy mums to single people – can relate to our concept," says Rachael. "You get great food on the table, fast, without compromising on taste and using ingredients you've already got in your cupboard and fridge."

For further information go to www.4ingredients.co.uk

Bircher Muesli

110g natural muesli

75ml orange juice

2 tbs. natural yoghurt

1 green apple, grated

Soak the muesli in the juice for 15 minutes. Mix in remaining ingredients and serve – perfect for breakfast in bed!

Asparagus Canaps

A delicious starter to your romantic evening

2 bunches asparagus

125g camembert cheese

100g prosciutto

Break the bottom off each asparagus spear and rinse. Cut 3cm strips of prosciutto with scissors. Cut half of the camembert wheel into long, thin strips. Lay prosciutto flat horizontally, place one asparagus spear vertically on the meat. Lay a slice of camembert along the asparagus and roll the prosciutto around its contents.

Place on a baking tray and bake in a 150C oven until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.

Pumpkin Soup

A winter favourite.

pumpkin, skinned and thinly sliced

5 chicken stock cubes

1 large brown onion

Place all ingredients into a saucepan. Add enough water to cover pumpkin then boil until ingredients are soft. Blend until smooth.

Optional: Serve with a generous dollop of sour cream.

Beef Stroganoff

500g beef strips

250g mushrooms, coarsely chopped

1 pkt beef stroganoff seasoning

320g sour cream

Heat a non-stick frying pan and lightly fry beef strips. Add mushrooms, sour cream and stroganoff mix, stir well. Add water to achieve your required consistency.

Lamb Shank Casserole

4 lamb shanks

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 pkt French onion soup

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Place lamb shanks and onions into a large saucepan. Mix soup and sauce together with about 3 cups of water and pour over shanks. Cook on low for 4 hours and serve over mashed potato.

Optional: This is a lovely casserole as is, but if you have some tomato sauce, add a couple of tbs for colour and if you are like us and put vegetables in everything this is no exception. Add whatever veggies are in your fridge – carrot, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, Brussels sprouts etc.

Cookie & Cream Truffles

These are irresistible.

500g Oreo cookies

250g cream cheese, softened

400g milk chocolate

100g white chocolate

In a blender, crush cookies. Pour into a bowl, add cream cheese and mix thoroughly. Using a teaspoon, roll mixture into balls, place on a baking paper lined tray and refrigerate for 45 minutes. Break milk chocolate into pieces and place in a microwave, melt gradually checking and stirring every 20 seconds until smooth.

Coat balls thoroughly with melted chocolate, place back into fridge to cool. Finally melt remaining white chocolate and drizzle over milk chocolate balls.