The Random Book Giveaway – Meat Free Mowgli by Nisha Katona and Mrs Bun

Welcome to another installment of The Random Book Giveaway, which could have been named The Occasional Book Giveaway or even The Seldom Book Giveaway. These things cannot be forced, if the muse leaves you, you must wait patiently for her to return, albeit with fingers tapping as you linger. Return she did, to bless my literate dating agency with perfect matchmaking.

First we should consider the book, Meat Free Mowgli by Nisha Katona. I feel strongly there should be a cookery book self help group. On line recipes are convenient, this is true, but do not to compare to real life, in your eager hands, books of potential and joy. They are sensual riots of fancy; some fantasies that we know we will never achieve, others perhaps worth the risk, a few will be added to the repertoire. Food smeared pages are indicative of favourite recipes and never fail to make me proud. And I have many books. This is after a pre-moving cull. And still more find me. There is little hope. Nisha’s book was a gift from OH and it has proved to be a wonderful, already much stained, addition to my collection. I have attempted many of these recipes, bought new and exciting spices to experiment with and each and every one has proved to be delicious. There are clear and concise instructions resulting in honest dishes that actually work! I can recommend Cabbage Curry (I know, it sounds a bit dodgy, but trust me its good), Broad Bean Puris and Angry Cauliflower.

As for the recipient, some might know her, along with her most patient husband, as Mr and Mrs Bun. Since their defection to the Frozen North and mine to Welsh Wales we have kept in touch on a frankly-I-could-try-a-little-harder irregular basis, newfangled video calls allowing us hour long, barely coming up for air, catch ups. These chats are very important to me, it is surprising that I don’t instigate them more often. Afterwards I feel heard, understood, reconnected, the power of friendship cannot be underestimated. It is a spiritual thing. She is a good woman. It is good to mix with good folk, they make you a better person.

When I worked for Her Bunship we often worked side by side, chatting as we went, touching on all manner of things, sometimes the sublime, often the ridiculous. It was always easy, always fun. One of our favourite topics, apart from the obvious “all things horticultural”, was cooking and, inevitably, eating. We are both keen on meat free fare and often swapped recipes and recommendations. Chatting with her last weekend, an idea pinged into my head, she would be the perfect fit for this book.

The day after the book arrived at her northern home, a picture of a very delicious aubergine dhansak arrived in my in-box. I knew they would be very happy together.