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.
Excited for your book! One idea on your post it notes…(I’ve no connection) it you might check out Rocket Book. They have a ‘white board’ and notepads etc that have built in codes to scan on your phone and upload to your specified file location. Could be really helpful for a big project like this.
Sending you and Dozer love from Canada.
I have made so many of your recipes and loved them all. I check your website every single day.
Love reading about Dozer, he is adorable.
Dozer has to make it on the cover of your cookbook
I can see now why all your recipes turn out smashing. You only post those that meet a very very high standard. Unlike other bloggers, I have never made a recipe of yours that was not spot on in terms of flavor! So happy to be getting a cookbook finally!
Every recipe I have made has been great. There is nothing below that grade. Thanks for incorporating your existing recipes! I live in Canada 🇨🇦 and am looking forward to your recipe book so I can have all my recipes in one place and can throw out my tattered and stained printouts!
I totally agree about trashing all those printouts of Nagi’s recipes once the cookbook comes out. They are all in pretty bad shape now after so many times I’ve referred to them!
Oh my God what a lot of work for
You . I like the photo of Dozer in the garbage looking for leftovers !
Love your recipes,keep them coming fantastic work
Cannot wait for your cookbook to come out! Having been making your recipes for years and secretly hoping you’d come out with one – Congrats!!
How exciting!, Can’t wait to see your cookbook. It’s quite an undertaking and I commend you.
Would be great to include your chewy raisin cakes, they are delicious. I also love the Salmon Honey and Garlic recipe.
I just finished reading Julia Child’s memoir, “My Life in France”. It’s a wonderful book and it chronicles all the trials and tribulations of producing her epic tome “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”. If you haven’t already read it, give it a go (in all your spare time 😜) I’m certain it would resonate with you. And perhaps even inspire you when the going gets tough!
Cannot wait for this to hit the shelves!!! I go to your site every single DAY:). It will be an excellent cook book!
Navi. You have some really great looking recipes!! I have tried the “Beef Short Ribs” and absolutely loved it. I cannot wait until you release your cookbook. I am an avid foodie and an animal lover so I appreciate Dozer photos too! ❤️
Too many recipes…not a problem, they go into the next book when the first one is a sure fire success.
So excited! We are a lot like Dozer (everything is yummy, although I’m with him on the kale), but your determination to only include your best is going to make this amazing.
So thrilled by this behind-the-scenes peek. Please make sure your publisher sets it up so that we in the States can order and receive your cookbook!
Nagi-I live in Montreal and absolutely adore your recipes-not complicated and absolutely delicious everytime! Cannot wait for your cookbook-hope its available in Canada! I agree, you and Dozer must be featured!!!
I sometimes see a glimpse of how much time and effort you put in to come up with a “perfect” recipe. That x 120!!! Wow.
But I know whatever you put in is going to be great. The only reason I haven’t tried some of your recipe is that my kitchen minuscule has literately no counter space. I balance my cutting board at the edge of the sink 😉
Nagi, am sooooo excited for your cookbook. I go to your website almost every day. Hoping the book has an inside page pic of You and Dozer. Not just on the paper cover as they often get damaged/lost/discarded. Thanks for all your hard work, dedication, sweetness, awesome sense of humor and “general all around” Naginess!
You are such a creative force to be reckoned with! The Chili Garlic Prawn sure looks amazing…..hope that it makes it to your cookbook with perhaps a few tweeks since not satisfied as is. I;’m always looking for something with Asian noodles and, of course, dessert recipes!
I want to pre-order the cookbook!! And, Nagi, please bring your book tour to the USA! 💗
Thank you for going with the decision to expand the cookbook to include favorites!