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.
I love your recipes and would be really grateful if you could add any tips on substitutions to make them gluten free if at all possible. I am willing to help too.
I’m so excited about this cookbook, Nagi. Your recipes are in a class of their own and I’m so looking forward to purchasing as gifts for other family members too. I predict many print reruns due to how popular it will be. My heart is full of love for Goldens as well. They are such a beautiful, gentle breed that I have been fortunate enough to have in my life for over 36 years.
I can hardly wait for your cookbook to be published!!
As many other’s have commented, you’re my go to recipe guru when I want a recipe.
Literally EVERYONE I try to tell about you and your amazing recipies ALREADY knows about you!
Whenever I’m looking down the barrel of a pile of ingredients and zero inspiration, I head to your website and I am nevery disappointed – neither are my kids!
You’ve even managed to help me turn one fussy 12 year old into a pretty good eater. Keep up the amazing work.
And I am BEYOND excited about the prospect of your cookbook!
Love.
Your.
Work!!!
Dear Nagi
I would love to see all your previous recipes that we know and love could be in a recipe book called NAGI FAVOURITES. I and many of your fans around the World would be disappointed if any of these recipes were left out of your new Cookbook. What do you think?
You go girl! I’m with Dozer…it is all edible and you are my go to recipe site.
I’m so excited for this cookbook! I found you via Pinterest several years ago, when I realised that 90% of the recipes I was pinning were from RTE. After trying multiple winning recipes I investigated whether you’d already released a cookbook, planning to definitely buy it if so. None to be found, but I was sure there’d be one in the future, and now the future is getting closer!
I’ve been printing out your recipes and putting them in a binder since March, 2020. I’ve made my own version of your cookbook!
Just love your recipes. Looking forward to your recipe book
Cannot wait Nagi! I have a special place in my pantry ready for it to be filled with your cookbook.
Maybe not just one cookbook, but a whole suite?!
Hi Nagi.
It would be lovely if you could put dozer on the front cover of your book. He’s so much part of you and us and we love him!
I’m excited about your book!
Put dozer on the cover!!
Nagi, now I know where all the digital timers have gone! You have them all 😂🤣
I can’t find them anywhere!
I am so excited you are doing a cook book – about time!!! Your recipes are fabulous and better than nearly all the cookbooks I have – I usually just end up googling your version of what I want to cook and then make it healthier if needed- I love super healthy food that’s super tasty!! Thank you Nagi so much for all your inspiration and support in my kitchen xx don’t ever doubt yourself, you have something very special 💚
I would like to see Peking duck panckaes, spicy salt tempura prawns, black miso cod, spicy tuna crispy rice
Nagi,
I really appreciate you including our feedback to guide you in creating your cookbook. One of the many reasons I enjoy your site is that it feels like a community. I like reading comments your readers make about using an ingredient or adding a step that was not mentioned in the original recipe. Do you have favorite additions some have mentioned to your recipes? Maybe you can include some of those in the recipes from your site that you’ll add to the cookbook.
Hi Nagi
I love your recipes and your beautiful Dozer! You sound like an amazing person and should be very proud of all you do – especially donating meals to those in need through your Recipetinmeals kitchen.
Congrats on your Cookbook deal – I hope it’ll be a huge success. I can’t wait to buy it!
Thanks for all your wonderful recipes – I look forward to your new recipe emails! 🤗
OMG Nagi, what a labour of love it’s going to be to narrow down the best of the best and readers choices in recipes! I’m sure everyone joins me in wishing you every success and we can hardly wait to see the ‘fruits of your efforts.’ Hmmm, as for Dozer, my Lab Emma is never far from the kitchen. We only have to say to the other “Would you like…” and Emma is hot to trot!! 😀
I am so excited about this book. Really can’t wait!!!
All your recipes are amazing, so I understand how hard it must be to chose!
I would like to see the crumpet recipe included. I cook it often and always have to google the recipe again!