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.
Please let us know when we can pre order!
Congratulations Nagi! I can’t wait to buy this 🙂 I would love if you were able to include a Basque Burnt Cheesecake receipt 😊
Congratulations! So excited to your new book. Can’t wait! All the best and more recipe’s to come soon
ALL YOUR RECEIPES ARE OUTSTANDING, COME ON PEOPLE IN MY EYES THERE ARE NO FAILURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Nagi!!! Your website and recipes are so wonderful, you deserve to have a beautiful cookbook of all your excellent hard work. I’m really looking forward to my very own copy of the final product!! 🙂 I know it will be a lot of work but I hope you have a lot of fun with the process. I love your post it wall, haha.
HI Nagi: I’m new to your blog, here in Washington State uSA. I am thoroughly enjoying your recipes, have made a few now! so excited about your cookbook, and thank you for including us in the process. Love keeping up with Dozer. All the best. You look like you are having a ball!
I made your chicken fricassee.
You would think I had never tried to brown a chicken before. It only brown slightly. That is par for course. I’m like a fast food joint. What you get NEVER looks like the picture. It was still good.
So excited right now I hope some new salads make it into the book best of luck with the progress and thank you so much for coming into our kitchens. Long time fan who has spread your word far and wide across Western Australia, Nagi is our go to 💐
So looking forward to your cookbook and about time I say! Love your recipes and new ones will be great but some faves from the blog also be nice in a book rather than my printouts from a folder~
A very big undertaking. Looking forward to seeing the completed book.👍
Yesssssssssss! Mega Big Nagi and Dozer cook book works for me! I would love to see a “Dozer favorite recipe” in your book. I mean after all we all know that the taste tester has the last word, right? P.S. I can hardly wait.
Just LOVE your food. I save hundreds of recipes and rate them as I make them so my 5 star recipes are only the best. All of yours that I have tried have been 5 star! Can’t wait for the cookbook, as you clearly have the same approach…..only the best recipes make it!
good luck, looking forward to all your great recipes in one great book
Hy
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How exciting and challenging … but we all want your cook book now. Hahahahaha. We will enjoy the creative ride with you.
I remember the first couple of weeks after you started RecipeTin, I sent you a msg asking if you were up to putting all your yummie recipies into a cookbook you said oh no im just doing a f/b group, well I for one say thank you & well done. I know at least half a dozen friends that will benefit from your book, luv your work & of course that Dozer for just being Dozer.
Thank you for the sneak peak. It looks like a lot of work but must be so exciting too! I look forward to seeing what you create along the way and what makes it to the cookbook! I love the photo of Dozer with his nose in the trash can! 😂 Perfect ending to your post,
Waiting with bated breath for the cookbook! Put me on the list for the first edition!
Love so many of your recipes and have saved lots to try. Best you must include steamed pork buns. Love them.
Buying your book in a heartbeat! Go Nagi ⭐️