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. 😂
I followed your churros recipe few minutes ago and my husband LOVED IT SO MUCH! I told him “That’s from RecipeTinEats” and he said “Ah that’s why”. I’ve been following your recipes for 3 years now and everything is always a hit that my husband now also knows you. He asked me “Did you buy her cookbook already?” And that’s when I checked the site and saw this post. You do you, Nagi. 😊 We’ll still be here for you!
P.S. Can I pre-order the book already?
Next year Rose! N x
Waiting with bated breath. Will your team be reaching out via the RTE’s site for possible pre-ordering? I would stand in line for this. So much better than an X box. IMO.
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful recipes Nagi; you have made cooking fun and tasty!!! Prioritizing yourself is never failure; it is purely strength!!! Looking forward to your cookbook 🙂
Protecting your time is a win in my book! We don’t want you to burn yourself out.
Thanks for the lovely message Nicole! Buried 100% in cookbook land right now. It feels so strange not to be posting new recipes!!! N xx
Failure is only possible if you give up completely. Giving yourself a break and reorganizing your time management to focus on an important project is a smart thing to do. I hope you build some extra “me” time into your schedule as well! Enjoy your creating!😊
Nagi, I have been following your recipe blog for years and can’t do my weekly meal prep without first searching through all of your recipes for this week’s meals. You are so awesome and have provided such a wealth of amazing recipes over the years. There is never pressure for more content! I hope you’re taking time not only to focus on the cookbook, but to focus on your own wellbeing too.
Thank you Alex! I really need to hear that. I constantly feel this nagging guilt that I’m not doing “my job”! But I just can’t seem ti split may focus between the cookbook and the website. I need another me! 😂 N x
I wish I could’ve met you while you were in Tassie recently, Nagi! Are we able to pre-order your cookbook even though it’s still a work of art in progress? 😊
Not yet Tegan! I will let you all know as soon as I know! N x
Nagi, with failure comes success. How else will you know when it’s just right! Can’t wait to get my hands on your new cookbook. ; )
I came across your website when I did a Google search. I have made 3 of your recipes so far and they all were big hits with my family. You are amazing and I can’t wait for the cookbook!!
I love your recipes. I have always had success with the recipesI have made. I can’t wait for your cookbook.
Congratulations on progressing with the cookbook. Far more important than daily recipes, however much I may enjoy them. Best of luck!
You’re not a failure!! Thank you so much for all the time and talent you put into your recipes and this website!! Because I know you’ll do the same with you’re cookbook, it will be amazing!
I’m a novice cook so I really appreciate your easy to follow steps, categorized ingredients list, and notes with hints, tips and substitutions!
Recipetineats is my go to website and I will continue to recommend you to others! Have a really great, well-deserved, and productive break!
Don’t know how you manage to offer so many details, on all the recipes from week to week in the first place.
Enjoy taking a little bit of a breather.
Love your recipes. They are simple and easy to follow. I look forward to your cookbook, Creativity takes time so take the time to consolidate, dream and cook.
So excited for the cookbook!! Hope everything goes great for you!!!! 🙂
Your post bought a tear to my eye please be kind to yourself
Hi Nagi, I discovered your website abiut six months ago and you have been an absolute godsend during Sydney lockdown. Have tried several of your recipes, they are all amazing – and foolproof!
Have recommended you to friends and family and, like me, they have fallen hard for the food and for the delightful Dozer.
Swore I would buy more cookbooks, but can’t wait to get my sticky food making paws on yours 🙂
Please take the time to release the love, passion and energy into the book that clearly goes into the website. And look after yourself, girl!
Thank you so much xx
Nagi you have to look after yourself because where would we be without you. I for one would be completely lost without your recipes that I gaze over every other day. You are my go to recipe Queen. Please look after yourself, we have more than enough inspirational recipes that will last us a long time, besides you’re only leaving us for 3 weeks. I wish you all the best in your new cookbook venture 💕
We love you and your recipes! We can certainly wait three or four weeks! Good luck, have fun and come back to us! xx
Thank you Andrea! I really AM having fun right now, being able to focus on creating new recipes for the cookbook. 🙂 I will be back! I miss sharing new recipes here! N x
Dear Nagi ~ your decision to look after yourself is not failure. It is a triumph that you are taking care of yourself and one that we totally support and congratulate you on. Thank you for your recipes and thank you for sharing handsome Dozer with us!
Once more well done on making the call to look after YOU!!
Much love, Jill xx
Amazing work Nagi! Can’t wait to get the cookbook.
You are very kind! N x
Dearie Nagi, thank you for sharing yr recipes n your heart ❤️ pls take best care of yrself, rest and recuperate. It takes so much to prepare, bake/ cook, to take pics and write, to produce and post yr passion of cooking good food. I salute n hug you, for being Nagi. Thank you so v v much, n pls take best care of yrself, Nagi💗 n also Dozer🐶