Hello everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be pressing pause on new recipes for the next two to three weeks so I can devote some uninterrupted time on the cookbook.
It takes a lot for me to concede defeat and accept that I can’t do it all – run a business*, renovate a home, work on a cookbook and maintain my existing recipe posting schedule. Lockdown certainly didn’t help matters to increase my workload – though on a cheerier note, as of Monday of this week, the lockdown rules have been substantially relaxed here in Sydney. 🙌🏻
I found myself getting up earlier and earlier (currently 4.30am 😩), going to bed later and later. And while I always declare that I operate best under pressure, the reality is I’m only human and darn it, I need my beauty sleep!!!
* Yes, I finally realised this year that I have a real business! This “it’s just a food blog” somehow grew into a proper business over the past year with a team of 9, including RecipeTin Meals, the recently established philanthropic division where we use recipes from the website to make homemade meals for the vulnerable community here in Sydney.
Another fail! Well, it was ok…but not good enough for the cookbook! 
Planning mode. No, this is not a cookbook for vegans…
I’m in a particularly intensive planning stage of the cookbook right now and am struggling to split my focus between new recipes for the website and the cookbook. To be honest, it was the cookbook that was suffering – because I would never hit publish on a recipe I didn’t give my all.
So on Sunday night, I made the call for the first time ever since I started the website – to temporarily press pause on new recipe content for this website.
It somehow feels like failure – this is my job after all – and like I’m letting my team down. We worked so hard to create a stash of new recipes to get ahead, test and retest them, make videos and photos. There’s weeks’ of digital media for ridiculously delicious new recipes ready to go, just waiting for me to write up.
The problem? It takes anywhere between 4 to 8 hours to write the posts, depending on the complexity of the recipes. As an example, last weeks’ Flan Patissier? That took me a good 8 hours to write the post, edit the photos, do the step photos, describe the ingredients and write the recipe. And many multiple times that in recipe development and testing time!
Yes, a lot goes on behind the scenes to produce the recipe content that gets published on this website. And I love everything about what I do, and I look forward to getting back to it!
The Flan Patissier recipe that took around 8 hours to write up. 
I think this final version was the 23rd Flan Patissier I made in the last 4 months!
But for now, the cookbook. I’m going to give myself 3 weeks to make a big dent in the cookbook, then I’ll be back with new recipes!
In the meantime, you may see some old favourites coming back to the homepage over the next few weeks with new videos or photos that I’ve had ready to go.
And, well, you know me. I probably won’t be able to resist popping back into your inbox to let you know how I’m getting on, and a peek behind the scenes of the making of the cookbook!
Until then, stay well! I’ll be back with brand new recipes before you know it.
Love – Nagi & Dozer 🐶 x
REMINDER: Mock cover! Mock cover! 😇
Life of Dozer
New discovery during cookbook recipe development – how to make Dozer eat carrots!!! Puree them with a hint of spicing, top with a braised baby carrot, drizzle with organic olive oil and finish with an edible flower. 😂
Nagi, most people would consider half of what you’re doing to be a great success!
Failure? NO WAY! We have so many recipes to visit or revisit on your website….we’ll live! Good luck with your book.
I love your recipes (and so does hubby)… I also try out several on my grandson & his partner.. she always asks “is this one of your girl’s recipes”?? They enjoy them also, especially your mango chicken curry.. enjoy your break – not that you’ll be spending the time lying by the pool sipping cocktails!!
You totally deserve a break – but make sure you come back 😳.
I’m a great cook – well that’s what my husband says! so I never used recipes ever until I discovered you – now you are front and centre in my kitchen a couple of times a week – you are awesome & super talented.
Thank you, Lesley
I am so proud you you making the best decision to look after yourself and give yourself some time and space to breath and work on one project.
There are more than enough recipes here to keep me satisfied in your absence. I have barely scratched the surface of all your amazing recipe and there is still a ton to discover.
You are not a failure. You are a winner
Thanks Jolene! N x
I love your recipes so much Nagi, they are my hands down go to for anything delicious at all! You take ALL THE TIME YOU NEED!!!
Thank you for the lovely message of support Jenny! First message I read today, nice way to start the day!! N xx
I thoroughly enjoy your blog and many of your recipes; but I look forward mostly to what you are doing and what Dozer is doing. We have two golden retrievers so we see a lot of what he does and what our two girls do.
One day one of my sons was visiting and he and I were discussing what to fix for dinner. He said, “wait a minute, I’ll look up this recipe I have made. It’s really good. I got it online from recipetineats.“ I could hardly believe it, because I never think of my son as somebody hanging around a blog site, but he then said, “I have made many things from her site.“ Good luck on your cookbook and don’t worry about the rest of us; we will manage until you return.
All fish and seafood dishes.
Crab, Lobster, prawn and fish dishes ie stir fry, curries, and all. 😋 xxx
Love to Dozer ❤️
Take the time you need! A few old favorites are good by me, and it’s better than no Nagi and Dozer.
We will be here patiently waiting for our favorite food blogger, and her awesome pup!🥰
Even Superwoman needs a break once in awhile. Lucky Dozer, even I would eat my carrots if puree, and decorated with a flower.
Good for you Nagi, I use your site DAILY for the best recipes around. Realizing you are human and can’t do it all is being self aware :). Good luck and we will be patiently waiting!
You never have to apologize for doing your best. If you did nothing more to make Dozer and us smile, it would have been a gracious plenty
Dear Nagi, Yes! please take a well-deserved break from your postings to put together a cookbook. I can’t wait to get a copy. Your recipes are my favourites, and you’re a delightful person as well! Wishing you great success on your upcoming publication. Diana from Canada
Knowing you need to Press Pause and doing it are Brave. We will all be waiting for your return. Stay well and be safe, give Dozer a hug for me.
Blessings,
Gina
Well done you on saying you can’t do it all!! Kidding ourselves that we can do it all is really unhealthy. You are truly leading by example. Thank you!
Look after yourself, and as others have said, fortunately there are squillions of recipes to keep us all going.
Take care of yourself. There are so many wonderful recipes on this site I am still yet to try so we certainly won’t be bored or go hungry. Best wishes from Michelle and family.
I will miss you dropping into my “in box” but totally understand priorities. Wishing you some productive time!
Hi Nagi,
No apologies required. I cannot imagine how you can do it all but I am glad you do. Your recipes are super delicious and your enthusiasm is contagious.
Looking forward to your cookbook!
Take all the time you need; just come back!
Great decision! We love you and your fabulous recipes and great instructional tips and techniques!!! We have plenty of recipes already that we can certainly rotate till you get back to your site.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder”. Good look with accomplishing all of your goals.🌈