Hello everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be pressing pause on new recipes for the next two to three weeks so I can devote some uninterrupted time on the cookbook.
It takes a lot for me to concede defeat and accept that I can’t do it all – run a business*, renovate a home, work on a cookbook and maintain my existing recipe posting schedule. Lockdown certainly didn’t help matters to increase my workload – though on a cheerier note, as of Monday of this week, the lockdown rules have been substantially relaxed here in Sydney. 🙌🏻
I found myself getting up earlier and earlier (currently 4.30am 😩), going to bed later and later. And while I always declare that I operate best under pressure, the reality is I’m only human and darn it, I need my beauty sleep!!!
* Yes, I finally realised this year that I have a real business! This “it’s just a food blog” somehow grew into a proper business over the past year with a team of 9, including RecipeTin Meals, the recently established philanthropic division where we use recipes from the website to make homemade meals for the vulnerable community here in Sydney.
Another fail! Well, it was ok…but not good enough for the cookbook! 
Planning mode. No, this is not a cookbook for vegans…
I’m in a particularly intensive planning stage of the cookbook right now and am struggling to split my focus between new recipes for the website and the cookbook. To be honest, it was the cookbook that was suffering – because I would never hit publish on a recipe I didn’t give my all.
So on Sunday night, I made the call for the first time ever since I started the website – to temporarily press pause on new recipe content for this website.
It somehow feels like failure – this is my job after all – and like I’m letting my team down. We worked so hard to create a stash of new recipes to get ahead, test and retest them, make videos and photos. There’s weeks’ of digital media for ridiculously delicious new recipes ready to go, just waiting for me to write up.
The problem? It takes anywhere between 4 to 8 hours to write the posts, depending on the complexity of the recipes. As an example, last weeks’ Flan Patissier? That took me a good 8 hours to write the post, edit the photos, do the step photos, describe the ingredients and write the recipe. And many multiple times that in recipe development and testing time!
Yes, a lot goes on behind the scenes to produce the recipe content that gets published on this website. And I love everything about what I do, and I look forward to getting back to it!
The Flan Patissier recipe that took around 8 hours to write up. 
I think this final version was the 23rd Flan Patissier I made in the last 4 months!
But for now, the cookbook. I’m going to give myself 3 weeks to make a big dent in the cookbook, then I’ll be back with new recipes!
In the meantime, you may see some old favourites coming back to the homepage over the next few weeks with new videos or photos that I’ve had ready to go.
And, well, you know me. I probably won’t be able to resist popping back into your inbox to let you know how I’m getting on, and a peek behind the scenes of the making of the cookbook!
Until then, stay well! I’ll be back with brand new recipes before you know it.
Love – Nagi & Dozer 🐶 x
REMINDER: Mock cover! Mock cover! 😇
Life of Dozer
New discovery during cookbook recipe development – how to make Dozer eat carrots!!! Puree them with a hint of spicing, top with a braised baby carrot, drizzle with organic olive oil and finish with an edible flower. 😂
You are by far my favorite cook I love your post. take a break and recharge and let’s not forget Dozer I like seeing him to
Dear Nagi, I will miss you & Dozer but understand fully what you are trying to do. I know your book will be wonderful as all your recipes have been. Stay safe & well and remember to take time for yourself along this journey.Pat precious Dozer for me please. Bye for now 🥰
correction previous message. Ghormeh Sabzi is the name of the Persian stew that saved the day for my mummified lamb!
Take the time and do it right ! You’ll never forgive yourself if you leave a want if untested in the development of your cookbook. We all have a vested interest in a well planned and tested cookbook that we’ll all have on our shelves. Be kind to yourself.
Remember to take some time out when you’re done before you come back online, because you will need it.
Nagi I have to report my FAILURE Lamb shoulder. I followed your instructions to the tee and 12 hours later opened the pot to find a mummified Lamb hunk with charred onion bits below. Salvation was the baba ganoush (Iranian lamb stew with spinach, herbs Persian lime and beens)
We can wait for you! Good luck, and I can’t wait for the cookbook!
No worries… I will miss your recipes, but do what you need to do. I am looking forward to the cookbook. See you back soon.
Nagi we are with you here! Don’t be too hard on yourself! You are doing great!
I applaud you for concentrating on one thing at a time right now. Pausing the website makes sense. I love your blogs and I love your recipes. I had major surgery two weeks ago and have not been allowed any food other than puréed so I had to pause reading your recipes. I read recipes like a novel and imagine the taste of the food while reading it. Your descriptions are so detailed, looking at my puréed food was a huge letdown. The humor of your writing makes my day. Will look forward to you being back.
I’m relieved that you’re taking a break, you deserve it and we your readers want you at your best, Nagi. I never want to hear that you’re getting stressed out or overtired or not experiencing the joy of cooking! And how about this cookbook title: So Much More Than Ground Beef! (an insider LOL)
Be safe, be well, be Dozer’s devoted mom, take care of Geoff and the RecipeTin Meals staff and beneficiaries and all your loved ones!
Most of all, take however long it takes to recharge your batteries. I want you to create a cookbook as magnificent as your blog!
I’m Coeliac. Your recipes are so good and easy to convert to gluten free if they aren’t already. My daughter moved out a year ago and was struggling with cooking. I put her onto your site for the tips and methods and she is now having a ball learning new recipes and how to cook them. You’re a Champ Nagi. Thank you.
I’m also a “focused achiever” who multi-projects while others multi-task! That’s hard to sustain through every situation- my head can still focus on it all, but my body needs some respite to DO it all! Good on you for spotting that and having the courage of your convictions. That’s a good BUSINESS decision as well as a sensible approach to a SUSTAINABLE FUTURE! We all look forward to great things. Fabulous to be part of the Peanut Gallery.
Please sliw down and look after yourself. Everything else can wait. We will all be very sad if you overdo it and burn yourself out.
That’s right. Then everyone will lose!
No worries, Nagi! We all love you and want what’s best for you, and overworking is not best for anyone. Taking time off from new recipe posts for the blog is not failure, it is making a wise decision so that you can maintain your health and give your best to both. When it’s all said and done, and the dust settles, you’ll be happier with the results from limiting your multitasking. Hugs to you and Dozer!!
I have almost stopped buying cookbooks as I have so many, read so much online, have subscriptions…and so it goes. Your openness just now, your authenticity, along with the fact EVERY SINGLE recipe of yours I’ve ever made has been stellar, seals the deal. I must have your new cookbook! Can’t wait to buy it and wish you a wonderful, hopefully productive three weeks – or as long as you need!
Enjoy your focus on your cookbook! Thank you for all the great recipes!
I’ll be here when you get back Nagi. I also now have a dog. His name is Barty as he was named the day that Ash Barty won Wimbledon. Cant wait for your book. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your recipes.
Don’t even apologize – we totally understand! We will be rooting for you! Get some rest. Sending virtual hugs to you! 🙂
Love your work Nagi! Your website is my first stop when looking for any recipe these days. Looking forward to the cookbook , but in the meantime you so deserve a hard earned break 😁
Nagi, it is not failure to admit you are human. 🙂 There is only so much we can all do, and I have learned I can do many things badly, or I can focus on a few things and do them well. Please focus on what you need to, and also take the time you need to take care of yourself (and Dozer!). You have been there for us in good times and bad, we will be there for you! <3 <3
Well said Margie! I feel the same – go Nagi 🦋