How long does it take to write a cookbook? As you already know, I am working on my first international cookbook. If you are curious about my cookbook timeline, then quickly scroll down.
The Timeline
I signed my cookbook contract in the first Quarter of 2021, i.e., last year. The discussion started sometime in January 2021, and the project was official by March. Hina Gujral Cookbook finally became a reality.
It was an overwhelming phase. Of course, you have gazillion things on your mind, but it’s hard to decide where to start. Plus, the deadly Covid 19-second phase ( delta variant ) did not get the best out of me.
Till August: From May to August, I worked on testing 150 recipes ( I did not want to share recipes that are already there on my blog ), writing them down with my notes, sticking sheets and plans all over the house, organizing the schedule for the next few months, and submitting the first draft of my manuscript.
Expressing your thoughts using captivating words is not that easy. My 8+ years of experience as a food blogger gave me some edge, but it wasn’t enough. The best way to approach it was to pour my heart out and write. And rest leave it to my editor!
September: After submitting the manuscript, September was all gone in to and fro between my editor and me. Then we sat down to select the best 100 recipes and fine-tune the ingredient measurements ( it has to be precise measurements, cook time, and not vague instructions ). For the readers of my cookbook, each recipe has to work every time for everyone, and it has to taste delicious without fail!
Last Quater of 2021: One of the most challenging jobs was shooting 100+ images for the cookbook. I was adamant from the beginning to do the task all by myself ( I regretted this decision later ). Hence, everything from cooking, styling, and photography took three months. So I recreated those 100 recipes again and even some of them a third time for the cover image .
After the final submission, many images got rejected by the creative team, a few of them I didn’t like, and then began the process of reshooting. So let’s say those were not the best three months of my life.
The Year 2022: The last few months of 2022 were dedicated to proofreading again and again by a different set of professional eyes so that we can eliminate all the chances of error, especially regarding recipes. The publishing team is working on the final design, text placement, and other final touches before the book finally goes for printing.
Official inetrantional release date is September 6th, only five days before my birthday. It is just a happy coincidence.
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Looking for tasty and wholesome lunchbox ideas for work? We have got you covered. Follow my tips, plan, and recipes to recreate these 25+ Indian lunchbox ideas.
Homemade Lunchbox
Packing a homemade lunchbox for my husband is a part of my morning routine. It is my way to express love and care for him.
The homemade packed lunch is the most comforting meal of a busy working day. It is one of the best ways to eat nutritionally balanced, wholesome, preservative-free food every day.
Reasons to LOVE Homemade Packed Lunch
- budget-friendly
- healthy friendly
- fresh and hygienic
- easily customizable
- free of preservatives
These lunchbox ideas are inspired by everyday Indian cuisine with the addition of exciting fusion ideas to keep it interesting and fun.
With a little meal-prep planning over the weekend, you can pack a variety of dishes for the office lunchbox. I know that packing a lunchbox every day can be tough. But a bit of menu planning and meal prep goes a long way.
You can also get my WEEKLY LUNCH BOX MENU PLAN S:
Week 1 Lunch Box Menu Plan
Week 2 Lunch Box Menu Plan
Week 3 Lunch Box Menu Plan
Week 4 Lunch Box Menu Plan
A brief explanation about the content of each lunchbox is mentioned next to the image. You can either click on the links given to fetch the recipe for that particular dish or directly search for those recipe ideas on our website.
And once you check out these easy and tasty lunchbox ideas, I am sure you’ll be more motivated to try them out.
Lunchbox 1: Rajma Chawal , Spicy Mango Dip , Cheese Crackers, Veggies
Lunchbox 2: Paneer Bhurji, Palak Paratha, Lobia Salad
Lunchbox 3: Lemon Rice , Pahadi Aloo Gutke , Paratha, Beetroot Poriyal, Buttermilk
Lunchbox 4: Red Sauce Spaghetti , Christmas Cake , Strawberry, Veggies
Lunchbox 5: Veg Manchurian Gravy , Chili Garlic Noodles , Chicken Veggie Stir Fry
Lunchbox 6: Vegetable Pulao , Paneer Tikka , Grapes Raita
Lunchbox 7: Chicken Pulao , Crackers, Overnight Oats , Fruits & Veggies
Lunchbox 8: Palak Paneer Bhurji, Paratha, Macaroni Salad , and Peanut Chikki
Lunchbox 9: Punjabi Sookhi Urad Dal , Paratha, Grilled Masala Paneer, Cucumber
Lunchbox 10: Baby Corn Chilli Sauce, Fried Rice , Mango Dip , Cheese Crackers
Lunchbox 11: Chana Masala , Paratha, Moong Dal Sprout Salad
Lunchbox 12: Mushroom Peas Pulao , Dip & Nachos, Boondi Raita , Veggies
Lunchbox 13: Pumpkin Sabzi , Paratha, Lentil Salad & Dressing , Energy Bar
Lunchbox 14: Pav Bhaji Masala, Matar Poha , Mango Shrikhand
Lunchbox 15: Mix Vegetable Sabzi, Paratha, Medu Vada , Coconut Chutney
Lunchbox 16: Stir Fry Pasta With Veggies , Teatime Cold Sandwich, Guava
Lunchbox 17: Potato Peas Curry, Paratha, Green Salad & Dressing
Lunchbox 18: Matar Ghugni , Dal Paratha , Roasted Foxnut , Masala Buttermilk
Lunchbox 19: Crispy Bhindi Fry , Paratha, Raita , Cucumber, Fryums, Overnight Oats
Lunchbox 20: Bharwan Baingan, Paratha, Hummus , Crackers, Beetroot Chaas
Lunchbox 21: Falafel Pita Sandwich , Salad in a Jar
Lunchbox 22: Aloo Methi Sabzi, Boondi Raita , Paratha
Lunchbox 23: Tandoori Cauliflower , Cheese Suji Cutlet , Tomato Salsa , Fruits
Lunchbox 24: Red Sauce Spaghetti , Bagel Sandwich, Instant Rava Uttapam
Lunchbox 25: Chicken Pulao , Vegetable Stir Fry , Cucumber Sticks
Lunchbox 26: Stir Fry Pasta , Grilled Veggies, Hummus , Pita Chips
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