About Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashley!

I’m the writer and recipe maker here at My Heart Beets. Thanks for reading my blog!

These two little boys are my taste testers. These picky eaters help me decide which recipes are “blog-worthy.” I think you’ll love everything you make from my site, but if you don’t, you’ll have to take it up with them.

My story… I was born in the US to Indian immigrants. I grew up in a Punjabi family eating delicious North Indian Food and I was completely unaware of how varied Indian cuisine was until I started dating Rob. He introduced me to South Indian Cuisine, specifically Keralite food.

Soon after marriage, I felt the desire to learn our family’s recipes. The problem was that when I’d call to ask for measurements, my mom would tell me she cooks “andaz naal” which basically means she eyeballs everything. Anyone with Indian parents knows they don’t measure ingredients (ever) and so trying to recreate their recipes is tough.

My solution to this was… to pester my parents. 😂 Whenever I’d visit home, I’d follow them around the kitchen, taking notes and asking questions. I would sometimes “help” them as they cooked, measuring their ingredients before they threw them into the pot. I started paying close attention to ratios as well as how things were supposed to taste. I used this information, gathered over several years, to test and develop many of the recipes that I share here on my blog and in my books.

I continue to learn a lot about cooking from my mom, but it’s my dad who helps me perfect my recipes.

I’m convinced my dad is a supertaster (he has a powerful sense of smell, too) – he can try a dish once, tell you precisely what’s in it, and most importantly, tell you what to add to make it even better. I have my dad taste test a lot of my recipes, especially my traditional Punjabi Recipes. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to test certain recipes before getting my dad’s approval (Gajar Halwa, Chana Masala, Rajma – the last one he approved, and then a year later, he changed his mind and told me to try and “make it one level better.” Sometimes I think he likes to keep me on my toes 😂 ).

There’s one more thing I’d really like you to know about me, and that is my “why.” The reason I share my recipes here is because I want to help make Indian food accessible. If you’re Indian and are looking to feel more connected to your culture or to eat food reminiscent of the cooking that you grew up with, I hope to help. If you’re new to the cuisine, my hope is that you’ll embrace it, and introduce it to family and friends. I believe that food brings us closer, and I think when we’re all a bit closer, we’re all a bit happier.

I’m thrilled you’re here and excited for you to give my recipes a try. If you make a dish, please leave me a comment to let me know what you think!

If you’re new here and wondering where to start, give one of the recipes below a try. Also, be sure to check out my Onion Masala Series – it makes cooking Indian food a breeze!

New Here? Try These!

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Comments

  1. Vic in Sydney says

    Hello from Sydney, Australia! We discovered your website last year and we’re glad we did. Your recipes are easy to follow, absolutely delicious and full of flavour. So little cleaning up after is a huge bonus.

    Thank you for sharing and we look forward to trying out more.

    Favourites so far:
    Mince/ Chicken Biryani
    Carnitas

  2. Jamie says

    I have made your chocolate pecan pie with your gf over and over. It is a favorite!!!! Have you ever made it and then froze the pie to use at a later date? Would love to know your thoughts. Thank you!!

  3. Shetal Datta says

    Hi Ashley,

    Thank you for all of your wonderful recipes! I had a question regarding your Neembu Paani recipe. I am making Neembu paani at my sons’ school for a Diwali party this Friday, for about 60 teachers and am worried that the taste of kala namak might be too strong. Do you have any advice about this? And, can you please give me neembu paani recipe that is proportional for 60 people?

  4. Farwah says

    I made lauki for the first time using your recipe. Jumped to recipe and i think it said chopped but didn’t say peeled. I think one would assume peeled but i couldn’t figure if it were like zucchini and yellow squash or closer to the gourds that need peeling…it looked like zucchini so i went with not peel 😀

  5. Rory Downes says

    I love your site! I’m excited tomake some Indian food at home. Could you please add me to your emailing list?
    Thank you.

  6. Ed says

    Hi Ashley,
    I made your Instant Pot Ropa Viega on Saturday. My parents were from Cuba, and I’m quite familiar with Ropa Viega. While not completely traditional, your recipe was fantastic! My lady-friend and I really enjoyed this dish, served with white rice. And I also just received your book: “Indian Food under pressure” I’m looking forward to some Indian cuisine.

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