Roast me happy

Throwing a dish in the oven is possibly the easiest route to an amazing (and easy to clean up after) dinner. Almost any conceivable combination somehow works with the magic of a simple cooking device that hasn't fundamentally changed since forever ago. Here are a few faves to try... I saved the best for last...

* Mediterranean frankie. Throw a punnet of whole cherry tomatoes, some lightly flavoured herbs (parsley, coriander, chives), cubes of bread and your favourite olives (mine are Sicilian) in a shallow baking dish. Mix with a splash of evo, few drops of balsamic and sea salt. Cook it for 10 minutes in a medium oven, then toss ingredients. Get it back in there for another 10 minutes. Add some bocconcini, cracked pepper, cook for another 2 and serve.

* Fennel chicken frankilicious. Slice fennel, brown onion and garlic, mix together with a bit of dill, lemon zest, seasoning and olive oil and place in a medium baking dish. Top with a few chicken drumsticks that have been coated in seasoning and olive oil. Cook for 20 minutes on 180, turn drummies and cook another 20-30 minnies or until juice runs clear.

* Frankie says potato. Peel and slice two large potatoes and two large sweet potatoes into wedges. Coat in rosemary, sea salt and olive oil. Roast for 40 ish minutes on 180. Eat with smoked trout, baby spinach and a dollop of creme fraiche.

* Barrafrankie pies. Wrap barramundi fillets in foil with a squeeze of lemon and whack in a 200 degree oven for five minutes. Saute a diced onion, diced leek and thyme in oil and butter in a large fry pan until soft. Add 4 tablespoons of flour, stir well. Add 250ml vegie stock, cook 5 mins, then add 150ml milk, cook 2 minutes. Season, add parsley, remove from heat. Line 4 buttered ramekins with puff pastry, bake for 3 minutes. Flake fish flesh into the insanely delicious smelling goodness in the fry pan. Slice four medium mushrooms and add to the mix. Throw into lightly golden pastrified ramekins, place lids on each with a wee hole in the top, brush with a beaten egg and bake 10 mins. Turn heat down to 180 and leave for another 20 mins. Amazing.