The Ultimate Incentive to get debt free… again. Dinah & NIM go head to head!

Cinny91

Nah, with Crochet you kind of cast off as you go so can tie a knot but with knitting that wouldn't do diddly. You kind of have to knit another row, and slip each loop over the next then tie a knot at the end. I can't explainnn! But typically I think it's one or the other, like I knit and my Mum crochets. Both of us can do the other but not very well but don't really need to learn because we can do the other, if that makes sense??

I second Tete, though a little bit later Any news Dinah? x

Dinah93

Apparently grandma had 15 distinctly different breathing patterns yesterday, but she's still going strong!

Went to the docs today, my blood pressure is now 132/72, which is actually pretty low! So not back on the tablets, we're just going to monitor it.

So, I'm going to share a little of my new business with you all. Part of the new venture is I have been asked to write a short cupcake cookbook, around 50 pages, and probably a series of cookbooks after that to be sold alongside. So what promts you to part with your hard earned cash when it comes to cookbooks? This will be sold in tourist outlets mainly, rather than in bookshops I think. So far I've decided it will have photos of each recipe, and be in colour, but what else would you love to see in a cupcake book?

Lara44

Hmm... I have found some cupcakes look a lot better than they taste, which is disappointing. Big ballsy flavours work for me over frilly icing. More grown-up flavours and textures

I love lots of lush photographs, not too many expensive ingredients.... recipes for winter that use citrus instead of strawberries

I quite like to know more of the technical stuff for troubleshooting - 'if your cupcakes are too dense do XX because of XX science' for example.

Exciting project!

wendz86

Glad to hear the blood pressure is down Dinah!

As for cookbooks - I am one for simplicity, so nothing too complicated looking. I am also a fan oh the photos, always attracts you. Different sections could be good for different types of cupcakes perhaps.

All sounds very exciting!

poddle911

Good news that your blood pressure is low and your grandma is stable, must be some relief.

And I'm glad you've spilled the beans on your side venture Super exciting!

I'm a sucker for nice, glossy photos too, but also a mixture of good, failsafe recipes and more adventurous ideas. In terms of the actual recipe I really appreciate being told:

- what your mixture should look like at the end, or even during if it's significant
- if there are alternative ingredients you can use
- how to store and how long for (Nigella's Kitchen book is good for this)
- perhaps even why an ingredient/process is used or some handy hints?

IMO these would add to the value of the book without increasing production cost.

There are an awful lots of cheap cupcake books around with same-y recipes, dull or no photos and really low production values.

Totally agree with Lara's comments! Seasonal suggestions are useful as well as vegan, gluten-free options or recipes that show calorie content perhaps?

When are you planning to launch?

Birdie85

Good news about your Grandma and your blood pressure!

How exciting about the business plans! I love photos too, I don't like making anything without an idea of how it should look at the end! I'd like an icing guide, the different types, how to make them, what they should look and 'feel' like and how to do the basic piping. Agree with Lara, Wendz and Poddle's suggestions too! I'm also quite picky with what I put into things so maybe a couple of 'switchable' ingredient options for some of the recipes too? If that makes any sense...

Tete_en_l'Air

I agree with everyone's suggestions above, esp the photos one and how the mixture should look and feel at certain points. I pick books based on word of mouth and reviews so that doesn't really help you in this case. Also I like recipes to be set out in clearly defined 'steps' rather than having to scan paragraphs of type to find where I'm at (Jamie Oliver I'm talking to you!). Also a list of the 'hardware' needed (can't think of a better word - things like baking tins - size - and piping guns and so on) There's nothing worse than getting half way through baking something then realising you don't have a zester or whatever!

Hope your Gran's doing OK, and that yourr blood's not going through the roof!

clearmydebts

I agree with what evveryone else says. I love photos but I would want the cupcake to taste as scrummy as they look. I am often disappointed when I buy one and it looks great but doesn't taste that nice.

dirtyepic

Hi,

I haven't posted on your thread for so long but I read and keep up almost every day.

Just a little comment about your new exciting venture of the cupcake book.

I would be very interested in one but I am so rubbish at cooking and it is not for want of trying! I even messed up the easy millies cookie recipe that i found on these threads on Sunday. Good job my lovely husband enjoys cooking (and I enjoy filling the dishwasher!)

So if it's a book that indicates easy, intermediate, hard recipes (is that possible with cup cakes or all they same level of difficulty)
that would be great!

Best of luck with your venture and everything else that's currently going on in your life.

Also to everyone, keep up the good work and the good chat. Still thorough enjoy reading every day!

T
aka dirtyepic

clearmydebts

I would defo buy one as a present for my SIL as she loves cupcakes