30 Minute Mowgli: Fast Easy Indian from the Mowgli Home Kitchen

by Nisha Katona

Get spice-packed, punchy, and fresh Indian-inspired dishes that take you from couch to curry in 30 minutes or less! The TV chef, restaurateur, and Mowgli Street Food author shows you how to cook speedy, easy, and flavorful Indian recipes—right in your own home.This is the food Nisha Katona cooks at bold and delicious Mowgli-style recipes that you can get on the table in 30 minutes or less. Just like at her Mowgli restaurants, the focus is on food that’s big in flavor but also light, healthy, and made from accessible ingredients—often just using what’s already in your cupboard or fridge.For super usability, the chapters are themed around Poultry, Meat, Fish, Vegetables, Desserts, and "Ma, Look Away!" (for Nisha’s favorite pasta dishes). Tantalize your tastebuds • Quick Angry Tandoori• Yoghurt Coriander Turkey• Gingerbread Lamb Steaks• Keema Toasties• Bengali Fish Curry• Indian Fish Finger Sandwiches• Back of the Fridge Curry• Million Dollar Green Dahl All the recipes are meals that range from light lunches to substantial dinners; all you need to do is accompany them with one of the simple sides suggested in the introduction—like rice, noodles, potatoes, or a chapati wrap. This is the food that real people tasty and nutritious meals you can whip up without fuss.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food, Food and Drink, Cooking, Reference

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2021

Reviews

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of an EXTRACT or SAMPLING of this upcoming cookbook in exchange for an honest review.



I didn't realize when I first requested this NG title that I was only getting a twelve page sampling of the author/chef's soon to be published cookbook. (Release date is set for Nov. 9/21).

This popular chef starts off this colourful cookbook with a potted version of her life history. She learned to cook at her mother's side, and there are sweet pictures to prove it! You will see that she started very young indeed when she started to help Mom out in the kitchen!

We are given three full recipes -
Chicken, Coconut and Pineapple Curry (sounded absolutely delicious and easy to whip up!)
Mango Coriander Salmon (made my mouth water just reading the ingredients and directions.)
Spiced Lamb and Apricot Wraps (Veggies and flavourful lamb - yum!)



The Table of Contents gives you no hints as to what you have in store for you if you pick up a copy of Katona's cookbook. The headings for each chapter or section (which average 20 to 30 pages in length) are:

Welcome
Introduction
Poultry
Meat
Fish
Vegetables and Pulses
Ma, Look Away! (Okay, that title grabbed me!)
Desserts and Drinks
Index
Acknowledgements

Extracts are very difficult to base an entire review on. I can say that I am anxious for this cookbook to come out in my local bookstore so that I can leaf through it and check out that intriguing chapter: Ma, Look Away!



I'm rating this extract a 3.5 out of 5, because the graphics were good, the writing was vibrant and drew you in, but I was left like poor little Oliver Twist, wanting more, please! (Note: my illustrations are from the Internet, since we are not allowed to use any graphics in the actual book itself until it is released.)

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

(SAMPLER COPY)
30 Minute Mowgli is a mouthwatering cookbookby Nisha Katona who is a TV CHEF as well as the face and creator of the Mowgli Indian restaurants.
This was only a sampler of the book but it got my taste buds tingling! This book looks well laid out and helps you to create your own authentic dishes within 30 minutes and doesn't break the bank to cook. This cook book is made for people at home and seems to be healthily curated with different ingredients to suit all tastes.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hubby brought it home, and having sat here reading it, I found myself mentally ticking off recipe after recipe that I wanted to try.

Hubby got the book because he's eaten at the restaurant several times and liked it. I'm glad he got it.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought my daughter the Mowgli Street Food book for Christmas because, having been to the restaurant in Liverpool, she was raving about the food. She has used the book continuously and treated me to several delicious meals. So I was very keen to take a peek at this new book.
The review copy was only a sample but I like the author's ethos set out in the introduction. This book is about not having to spend too much time in the kitchen preparing meals but still producing flavoursome food. Also, it is not just about saving time but reducing waste and using leftovers.
From the sample of recipes given, I already feel inspired. This is definitely a recipe book I would buy for myself and also as a gift for others.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.

[Opal Edgar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given a sample of the book to review - I hadn't realised it was an extract and therefore I feel like I am not in a good position to judge the whole book as I only saw 4 recipes.
I liked the principal of it, which is to cook Indian food in less than 30min - something perfect for weeknights and busy families. I was really curious to get into the cheat sheets hinted by the "Ma, look away" chapter... but obviously I didn't get to see if it held anything interesting.
From what I saw, though, I am a little disappointed, while the photos look great, the ingredient list looks extremely sweet, all 3 curries have sugar AND canned fruits. And out of the 4 recipes, one of them is a commonly shared desert on internet: the famous chia coconut milk pudding, which is delicious but not exactly what I expected to find here.
I am underwhelmed to say the least.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been cooking Indian recipes for years.
Started when I joined a evening class at my local college in Bradford, taught by one of Bradford's restaurant chefs. So I was always looking for a good take away style recipe.
I must have about 40 Indian Asian cookery books.
I have tried the BRI style cookery books, but a faff cooking a base gravy!
This book although expensive to buy is brilliant.
I have made several of the recipes up to now and every one had come out perfect.
The recipes are easy to follow.
The ingredients every Indian cook will have in her store cupboards.
Chicken & spinach curry my favourite at the moment. The sauce is spot on.
Tonight's supper, Ten minute later night kebabs.
This book is a must have.
I bought the book but also the Kindle version as well to use on my tablet in the motorhome.😊

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a 12 page sampler book from Netgalley, so I don't know how many actual recipes the book contains but there are 6 chapters of recipes on the contents page: Poultry, Meat, Fish, Vegetables & Pulses, Ma, Look Away! and Desserts & Drinks.

There were 4 included in this sampler which are:
Chicken, coconut & pineapple curry
Spiced Lamb & Apricot Wraps
Mango & Corriander Salmon
Coconut & Chia Seed Pots

Each recipe in the sampler had a colour photograph, the recipes were in both imperial and metric measurements and the steps were easy to follow. Each recipe appears to be cooked in under 30 minutes.

I like the look of the first two recipes, they'd certainly be ones I'd try on my family.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Watkins, and NetGalley for a sampler of 30-minute Mowgli. I am aware of Nisha Katona via TV. So, I jumped at the chance to view this sampler.
The books start with Nisha’s history of growing up and interesting photos from her childhood to her opening of her Mowgli restaurants.
This has three delicious recipes with accessible ingredients and easy to follow guidelines that any level chef can cook. I like how the author includes what you can substitute in the recipe if you have not got the main ingredients to hand and story behind each recipe.
I can’t wait to try these recipes and when the book comes out buy the book to see what other recipes that are included in this book. 5 stars from me.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved about this book (aside from the delicious looking recipes) is how comforting and warm Nisha’s writing is. It’s a very quick book to read; each recipe has a very short introduction, but even in those short bursts you still get a feel of Nisha, her history and her love of food. It really does feel like with this book it is the food that she cooks and eats regularly, and that she’s passing on her culinary history to the reader. She has some really interesting twists in her recipes too that I can’t wait to try.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

30 Minute Mowgli by Nisha Katona was just a sampler of a book to review and it was an interesting find. I loved this 12 page sampler I asked for it for Christmas.......This book is well illustrated throughout. I loved reading Nisha's history about her growing up and how she opened her Mowgli restaurants.

A must have Book for your Kitchen.

Thank you to NetGalley and Watkins the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.

[Marion Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gets a five star rating for its simple, unpretentious approach to Indian cooking and for alerting me to frozen garlic and ginger options that can successfully pinch hit when I'm out of the fresh ingredients or simply pressed for time. Already tried the Korma recipe. Did use chicken thighs, rather than breasts, and reduced the sugar listed, but otherwise stuck close to the recipe. Used almond butter to supply the ground almonds. It turned out delicious! So glad we had enough for several nights.

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Watkins for the sample ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. The sample had 3 recipes. I do not have a way to cook, but am not seeing that there is a way that I could do them in 30 minutes. I was sort of disappointed, but again this was just a short sample. 3 stars

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only seen the 4-recipe sampler but seem like tasty recipes which are fairly easy/ accessible ingredients. I like the ideas the author includes for adapting. Made the lamb and apricot wraps which were delicious and felt authentic, but watch for the typo on the imperial measurements for the lamb (500g is not 7oz). Will look to buy a copy once in print!

[Sarah Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of being able to make tasty, interesting food in 30 minutes, 30 Minute Mowgli does just that.
Clear, easy to follow recipes help you create dishes that I previously thought you needed hours to make.

A good addition to any busy cooks book shelf.

I was given a preview sample of 30 Minute Mowgli by NetGalley and the publishers.

[Polly Krize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Flavorful, healthy and an inspired update on curries and other Indian dishes. Fast preparation means delicious meals in almost minutes for the busy family, professionals, and really anyone else who enjoys Indian food. Recommended.

[Helen Latto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sample from this cookbook, I tried the chicken, coconut and pineapple curry and it turned out really well, it was easy enough to make and very tasty. Looking forward to trying out some of the other recipes.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recipes look absolutely delicious, with fantastic explanations of their heritage, taste descriptions and also how to adapt recipes if ingredients are hard to source. I love when a cookbook has great photography, it really makes me want to recreate the dish and these are stunning. I can't wait to try the chicken, coconut and pineapple curry in particular.

[Sinead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Loved it. So many wonderful recipes for tasty food that can be prepared quickly. Well presented and very easy to follow. Happily continuing testing out all of the dishes!

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

These recipes look INCREDIBLE and I love the concept of the fast cooking (I rarely enjoy spending more than an hour cooking). Whilst I haven't tried to cook any of the recipes yet, rest assured I will be testing these out over the next few months. This sampler copy is definitely a teaser, because it has really made me wish I had the full copy with all the recipes! The Mango and Coriander Salmon looks particularly good.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Neville Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the publishers via Netgalley for a review. Good recipes easy to follow and take about thirty minutes to cook.

[Joni Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I try to introduce new cuisines to my kids and this is the perfect cookbook! Quick cooking recipes with easy to follow instructions. The pictures made my stomach growl.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photos are beautiful and the recipes have clearly understood instructions. Also, I appreciate the fact that all the ingredients are easily obtainable.

[Lu Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty of simple yet delicious recipes to see us through the cold autumn/winter months. We have almost all of the spices already, as we regularly 'eat around the world', so we're ready to get going!

[Kate Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nisha Katona can do no wrong!!
Not only is this book beautiful to look at - the photography is stunning! - but it has some amazing recipes too. Easy to understand, broken down really well, and some unusual and original ideas.
Definitely recommend!!

[Beth E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting. I thought it would be Indian recipes, but Hungarian recipes are included alongside the Indian recipes, and there is a whole chapter on other international recipes.
It's really unique to what this family enjoys eating, but it feels like it lacks cohesion.
I was also disappointed that the majority of recipes seem to be meat or fish. I would have liked more vegetarian recipes.
Still, the recipes look good!
I prefer Chetna's 30 Minute Indian: Delicious Easy Meals for Fast Feasting, which just seems like a better planned cookbook along the same principle.
I made the recipe for Coconut Chia Seed Pots because I had all the ingredients, and it was a delicious, no-sugar-added dessert.
I also made and enjoyed the Hungarian After School Pepper Pot. I used soyrizo instead of chorizo. It was delicious and filling.