Hello friends and cookbook lovers! I’ve been exploring Nisha Katona’s latest work, Bold. As the visionary behind the Mowlgi chain of restaurants and the Mowgli Charity, Katona truly embodies the spirit of courage and innovation. The book begins with a poignant Shakespearean quote:
There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat;
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures
The quote simply means that that fortune favours the brave, the bold and those wise enough to seize life’s opportunities as they occur. Now, I was interested in this quote because part of it forms the title for Agatha Christie’s Taken At The Flood. which, coincidentally, I was reading around the same time as I picked up Bold. I love that Katona has used it as a metaphor for her work and for this book!
Bold – The Look
Bold is a beautifully styled book. The cover is bright red with gold lettering and a pink plate. It is both gorgeous and bold! Certainly eye-catching! The cover is also slightly padded which gives it a luxuriant feel when you hold it. It’s so inviting, you can’t help wanting to open it and flick through the pages.
And that flick will not disappoint, either. The photography is beautiful! Just look at these and tell me you don’t want to start cooking now!
Bold – The Book
You will notice that some of the combinations within the book are, well…bold! This is not a book for the unadventurous cook, and for that, I am grateful! I feel that recently, there have been a plethora of books where the contents have been pretty much the same-same. This is so creative, and for that, I 100% applaud Katona! But there is also enough that feels familiar – burgers, fish cakes, pasta, spanakopita, Welsh Rarebit, that it is not so different as to feel alienating. These are meals for the home cook but have a little twist to keep things interesting.
Would I have ever thought of a Cod and Popcorn Gratin? No. Do I want to try it? Hell yes! As soon as I get my hands on some venison I will be making her Landed Gentry Potickers. The recipes in Bold for Simla Salmon Fishcakes, Cashew and Mushroom Stroganoff and Chilli Crab Mac and Cheese are right in my wheelhouse. I also really want to try the Roasted Corn and Elderflower Iced Tea! I have mentioned my dislike for beetroot many times on this blog, but the look of that beetroot panna cotta in the photo above has made me want to give it another try! And how much fun does that Full English Cassoulet look in the photo below?
Bold – The Cook
I’ve made two things from Bold, the first was Thai Tequila Trout
This was delicious, bright, and zingy with citrus, and some really nice punchy flavours coming through from the herbs!
The second was the Singapore Sling Pineapple Upside Down Cake. I adore Pineapple Upside Down Cake, it is probably my favourite tasting cake and it also has a kitschy retro appeal that delights my soul! This one was exceptional. So delicious!!!
To be honest, the recipes I made did not take me too much out of my comfort zone. However, trying them, seeing and tasting the results has given me the confidence to try some of the more out there recipes – Miso Parmesan Doughnuts and Butterscotch Brussels Sprouts, i’m coming for you! I think this is a book that will delight anyone who wants to try something a little bit different but does not want to be overwhelmed or daunted by recipes that are too “cheffy” or have a load of ingredients that you have to source from specialty shops!
You can find more of Nisha’s recipes from Bold here
Have a wonderful week!
