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.
Gonna be great. Can’t wait, Nagi!! 🙂
Wow. Do you sit down with a well earned beverage after all this? Dozer probably thinks he deserves what’s in that bin after a hard days work.
This cookbook is going to be EPIC!
Hi Nagi. So looking forward to your cook book. I love your recipes and so does the family. Your style is great so keep up the good work.
Nagi .we are all so proud of what you have achieved.your recipes are a delight and never fail with the way your website lays things out for us.give yourself a pat on the back.and I suppose there will be a lot of people like me who go into the kitchen and rustle up your recipes but dnt tell the family where the recipes come from.they think I’m full of inspiration n I take the credit.haha thankyou so much.
My favourite ‘go to’ for reliable great recipes that echo the food I love to cook!
I can’t wait for your cook book, I have forever cooking your recipes so I’m excited to have them all in one book plus new ones!
You make it look like its so much fun, but being a retired chef, I know how much hard work goes into cooking – I can only imagine what it must be like organising a cookbook! Love your smile, love photos of Dozer and love your recipes. Looking forward to the cookbook.
Congrats Nagi and Dozer. Looking forward to purchasing your cookbook. Every recipe that I’ve tried at this stage has been delicious and I’m a lousy cook, so that’s saying something ! Thanks PollyAnna
Hi Nagi San.
I will definitely buy your cookbook and infact cannot wait to do so. You are my all time go to for recipes.
Thank you so much.
Love Dozer.
Ohhhh I’m actually looking forward to this Nagi! Will definitely be buying!
Loving your recipes Nagi. More than once you’ve saved the 5 o’clock dread of ‘What am I making for dinner’ especially in NZ level 4 no takeaways!
Wondering if there’s a banana cinnamon bread roll recipe in the works?
I love your recipes and cannot wait for your book to be published.
I’m not a great fan of other peoples pets but Dozer is the exception, he is equally as loved.
I appreciate your stringent standards. I have made many of your recipes, and often test them on company since I trust they will be delicious. Thank you for all the work you do to get it right!!
Poor Dozer, always getting caught, lol. I can not wait for the cookbook as well. All your recipes I have made has been delicious.
Well done you. Looks a biggie. Full of yummy.
Congratulations.
So excited for your cookbook! Hopefully we can preorder it soon!!
Looking forward to your cookbook, glad your including some favourites and the basic helpful how to do’s. Must include Dozer in the credits and a photo or two as well.
Juanita xoxo
I can’t wait for your cookbook. I just love your recipes
your hard cover will keep the book intact and easy to spot on a shelf BUT inside that cover you can have it Coil bound which is much better for using as you cook it stays open and also you can slip a pen into the coils and the page wont flop about while using it for cooing instruction
” love your work”