3 1/2 weeks into making the first RecipeTin cookbook – take a peek behind the scenes!
Like a GIANT jigsaw puzzle…..!!! 🤯
My publisher put it best when they said that we’re at that stage right now when it feels like we’ve tipped out the contents of a (giant) jigsaw puzzle! That’s exactly how I feel – I can see a gazillion pieces that I know will fit together at the end, but it’s hard to decide where to start.
To be honest, after pottering around for a few days like a lost soul, trying to figure out the best way to tackle this project, I just decided to dive into what I love doing the most – cooking. 🤷🏻♀️ If it’s delicious, there will be a home for it!, is my current thinking. I know I know, the book structure and chapters are important, my publisher keeps reminding me.
But right now, I want to get into the cookbook headspace by getting excited about creating new recipes!
Is it Cookbook Worthy??
Is it Cookbook Worthy? That’s a new official term around these parts that gets thrown around a LOT these days! We even have a rating system:
Room to improve
OK
Good 👌🏻
GREAT! ✅✅ <<– Goes without saying, these are the only ones that make it in!
But then there’s also:
FAIL ❌ 👎🏻
More of those happening than I care to admit….
In case you are wondering, that’s a Chilli Garlic Prawn Pasta. A candidate for the Emergency Meals chapter. Looked so promising, but it just lacked flavour……
More “fails” – Strawberry Custard Tarts. Well, not fails. They were fine and perfectly edible. But they weren’t good enough! Custard not set enough in the large one, and the ratio of crust to custard was out in the small ones.
But so adorable!
Strawberry Tart – not good enough! 
Mini Strawberry Tarts – also not good enough!
Though according to Dozer, I haven’t had a fail yet…. My greatest kitchen cheerleader. Always gives me full marks for my efforts! (Except when it involves raw kale or cucumber).
Post-it notes and spreadsheets 🤯
The other aspect of cookbook making – organisation and brainstorming. So many post-it notes… so many giant spreadsheets! 🤯 I literally have pads of post-it notes all over the house, in my handbag, in the car, even on my bedside table. Whenever a fleeting thought of inspiration crosses my mind, I jot it down then add it to the Wall Of Ideas.
It’s gonna be BIG!
The other thing that became apparent immediately after I put out the call out asking for your input on the cookbook – it’s gonna be much bigger than originally planned! The initial thinking was 120 recipes, the vast majority of which would be new ones.
But then so many of you cried out for existing website favourites as “must include”, it made me realise that I should, I need to include these favourites as well. However, there was no way I was going to rob you of the new recipes I was planning to create.
So instead, I just increased the number of recipes in the cookbook up to a whopping 160 recipes. 😇PLUS all the extras, the life essentials like rice, stock, sides etc.
This is going to be one big cookbook!
OK, signing off for today. I have recipes to create!! Dishes to wash! Back Friday with a brand new recipe…. it’s a big one…… – Nagi x
PS Just a mock cover!!! Absolutely no thoughts yet on the real cover design. And you know full well I’m going to get your input!!
Life of Dozer
When you see his back half, you can pretty much guarantee the front half is up to no good… let’s see, shall we…?
Yep. I knew it.
Hi Nagi .I’m on a keto diet .I’d love some low carb ,low sugar easy weekday recipe ideas for lunch and dinner .thanks Maddi
I can’t believe you are doing a cookbook, renovating your house & starting your philanthropic project at practically the same time. (I’ll take 2 of whatever you’re taking!) 😉 Glad Dozer is there to advise.
I hope you’re not done taking suggestions for the cookbook because I have a real passion request.
A decade ago, my husband & I had a truly memorable & sublime meal at De Kersentuin in Amsterdam. We still talk of it. The odd star of the show were dried olives that were ground atop a cold, cucumber soup amuse bouche. We were told they were house made & have never found them for sale. We look often.
They are magical & I can see them being an incredible addition to Italian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Latin cuisines & more.
PLEASE take a stab at it! If anyone can do it, you & your team can…
Thanks for all the lovely meals!
Cheers,
Fiona
Wow Fiona…that sounds like a very interesting dish! Nx❤️
I am so excited for this cookbook, Nagi! I will be purchasing a copy at the first opportunity. Thanks for sharing the BTS of putting it together – it seems like you will be very busy over the coming months!
Hi Nagi,
So happy about the Cookery book.
Everything you do is simple and lovely but I especially like the bread.Soda bread and the Artisan.
I will order the book my son who is a great cook loves your suggestions.💕
Just love your recipes, Nagi. Everything I’ve tried is an absolute winner. Any chance of including a couple of healthy recipes in your book? Or recipe notes on how to adapt some of the dishes? I’ll never do anything to that PERFECT Beef Bourguignon though except try source beef cheek for even more luxury!!! Your recipe actually tastes better than the one I had in Paris that they made from beef cheek *swoon*
How are you writing a cookbook and renovating your place at the same time?!! You really must be superwoman! We share your recipes all the time in my staffroom at work. You have a huge fan club here on the Gold Coast! Kudos to you and all your fabulous creations – awesome effort Nagi!
What’s the chances of this bad boy being available for Christmas? I’d buy a few for presents!!!
Not this year I’m afraid Stacey!! Next year 🙂 Lead time is so long for printed books!!! 😩
Your recipes are awesome. Will be ordering 3 cookbooks.
🥰
All your recipes are just fabulous can’t wait for your cook book it will be a winner 🥂🍾
Thank you for your message Rochelle! Needed a little pick me up this morning to give me a boost. I keep worrying I’m going to get cooking-block! (ie the cooking equivalent of writer’s block!!! LOL) N xx
LOVE ALL YOUR RECIPES!
Can’t wait for the book!
🤣 at Dozer
Loving the behind the scenes! But I have to say as a cookbook buyer, I don’t really care about structure and chapters much at all. I much prefer your mantra – if it’s delicious, I want it!! ❤️🥰
I am a a huge fan of your recipes Nagi, they are so flavourful, and because you are Australian, I love how you always include ingredients and brands that are easy to find for us here. Please include a lot of vegetarian recipes in your cookbook, I am eagerly awaiting for it’s release!
That’s a huge undertaking. I hope that you can sustain the pressure of the commitment. I will certainly be looking for the book to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Best of luck, try to keep sane and keep well in these troubled times
I can’t wait!
Please do let us know when you have a pre-order date! This book HAS TO be on my kitchen counter! XOXO
I am very happy you are putting together a book. I have gone you your website for a few years and am always impressed and leave with a download recipe. I especially love the simple Asian inspired but I also see French recipes as very doable in your hands.
Oh yeeees! Can’t wait for your cookbook to come out! Also thank you for taking us along on the process of this masterpiece, and for giving us even more pages to indulge in. So happy that it will be a big cookbook:D Hope you’re doing well and I’m sure even your so-called “failures” would be top notch recipes in my house!
I would like many people a authentic recipe of a good Chinese Satay Sauce for beef or chicken.
Thank You
R.Howard
Ooh a cookbook! Honestly the best news I’ve had all day. I’m looking forward to seeing which recipes you choose to put in it! (Everything I’ve made from your recipes has come out so well!!) Please also include lots of Dozer pics 🙂