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.
The wait will be worth it, plus an encyclopedia cookbook sounds amazing
Thanks Nic! I am looking forward to getting it done!! N x
important question: if you use any of your old recipes from your website in the new book, will you be removing those recipes from the website ?
Thanks!!
No!! Absolutely not 🙂 More than half the cookbook is new recipes, then about 40% are existing recipes that are reader favourites! N x
Your recipes are exquisite, I cook them regularly.
I make extra so that I take them to a few aged folk in my neighborhood in the blue mountains, am on a pension but will save up to buy your cookbook…kindest of regards…Robert.
I am missing my favorite chef and wondering when she will return with her furbaby Dozer
Hope there will be a North America version with cups, tbsp etc. Cannot wait👍🏻🍷👯
Hi Kathy – there will be both metric and cups on all of the recipes just like the recipes on my website – there is a toggle button at the top to switch between the two! N x
Will there be a cookbook translated in Dutch?
Any updates on when we can get a copy??? Love this for Xmas!!!
It’s coming out for Christmas 2022 Lauren! N x
Can’t wait!
I hope there are beautiful pictures for every recipe.
Cannot wait my favorite chef
I’ve just discovered your recipes on Facebook and I love them. Planning on working my way through some of them. Thank you!
Welcome Susan! Happy cooking! N x
Looking forward to your physical Cookbook 🥰🥰🥰
Me too Joyce! Will be glad when this project is put to bed!! N x
so happy to read your post today and to see you and Dozer again
Thanks and Best wishes with the project. Looking forward to the cookbook
You are amazing, I feel like a professional chef when I make ANY of your recipes. My family and friends love what you create.
And congratulations on your book.
You have help me in the kitchen so much. I’m a big fan. Thank tou very much. Hope you will keep posting on your blog.
I have been following you for over a year now and all the recipe you share online are all delicious. I can’t wait for your book! Thank you so much.
Love your recipes, always look forward to getting the emails.Love,love,love your dog.❤️
Always beautiful that you want to cook
Looking forward to your cook book. The beef brisket and slow cooked lamb are family favourites. Thanks for sharing these recipes.
Book me in for 2 copies of the cookbook at least. ! for me and ! for my daughter. I have never made a recipe of yours that I haven’t loved! I hope Dozer doesn’t put on too much weight eating any failures
Ha!! He most likely will!! N x
Hey Nagi, I thought your tineats was the only food site I subscribed to now but it seems Good Food site has hooked up with you? The recipes they sent were great but I like knowing I only have to visit your site. What’s up with that?
Hi Lynda…I do contribute to Good Food regularly. If you subscribe to my newsletter or follow my social media you might see a link from me to a recipe I have published at Good Food. N x
Thanks for responding Nagi. It was just a bit of a surprise as I didn’t know of your connection. I do follow your newsletters but obviously didn’t notice the link. I don’t do social media at all.
I think Dozer needs to be on the cover somehow. It wouldn’t be complete and it wouldn’t be ‘you’ without him somewhere peeking-or eating!!
He is only ever peeking if there is food in the vicinity! N x