Inside Nagi’s newly renovated kitchen and the genius drawer every cook needs

If you’ve ever looked up a recipe online, you’ve probably come across Nagi Maehashi from RecipeTin Eats.

Her easy, flavour-packed meals have earned her a loyal following, but this Christmas, she’s serving up something even more impressive: a first look inside her brand-new dream home, which she began renovating in October last year.

“Nagi, this is unrecognisable,” says Better Homes and Gardens host Johanna Griggs. “There was nothing here…just dirt.”

“I know,” Nagi laughs. “It’s my absolute dream home now — but sometimes it was like a nightmare.”

Nagi’s dream kitchen

Now Nagi’s home is bright and welcoming, built for connection, calm, and of course, cooking.

The real star, though? Nagi’s kitchen. She’s gone for pale grey cabinets with brass handles, a marble wall behind the stove, and a matching island bench. It all feels modern yet warm, and the range hood with its brass trim is a real showstopper.

For Joh, though, she’s blown away by the benchspace.

“Look at the benchspace!” says Joh. “Later today, when I’m making lunch for you, you’ll see it all filled,” adds Nagi.

Her favourite part?

And then there’s her favourite part, which fans will spot right away: the sauce drawer.

“Okay, so here’s one of my favourites. We’ve got the sauce drawer,” Nagi says while pulling the drawer out to show her collection of perfectly organised sauces right within arm’s reach.

Later, the kitchen comes alive as Nagi prepares a Christmas meal for her builders, the RecipeTin Meals team, and her mum. The party starts with snacks: Parmesan shortbread crackers with quince paste, whipped ricotta, and crispy prosciutto; sushi rolls cut into neat circles; fresh oysters served with a cold cucumber and jalapeño ice; and a large plate of prawns accompanied by her special dipping sauce.

The main meal is a classic Nagi: ham with a maple glaze, Christmas salmon with dill cream, and a holiday mix of toasted almonds, dried cranberries, and pomegranate. There’s also chicken with a Christmas glaze, a pomegranate salad with bacon, blue cheese, and blood oranges, and a simple French salad for something fresh.

For dessert, she brings out the star of the show — a meringue tart that goes on for 2.5 metres down the table. Her trick is to bake separate meringue pieces, then assemble them to create one amazing, never-ending dessert.

If you’d like to cook like Nagi, you can find all her most-loved dishes in her bestselling cookbooks, RecipeTin Eats: Tonight and RecipeTin Eats: Dinner.

As always, Nagi’s kindness goes far beyond her own table. Through her charity, RecipeTin Meals, she and her team cook and deliver thousands of fresh meals to Australians in need.

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Writer

Livia Gamble

Senior Digital Content Producer

With a Bachelor’s degree in communications and over a decade of industry experience, Livia is a seasoned content producer and editor who has a knack for crafting articles brimming with helpful information you never knew you needed (but you do). She has covered various topics, from home decor and gardening to health and wellness, showcasing her versatility and expertise. Livia’s writing has been featured in publications such as the lifestyle section of the Sydney Morning Herald. Additionally, she has worked as a content editor for various parenting and lifestyle brands, including Babyology and Essential Kids. When she isn’t reporting on ways to improve your home and garden, she can be found crocheting ponchos and attempting to master the perfect homemade pizza dough.

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