Hi, I’m Ashley!
I’m the writer and recipe maker here at My Heart Beets. Thanks for reading my blog!
Let me introduce you to my crew. My 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!
Julia says
Ashley, you are a beautiful family! Thank you for sharing your recipes and expertise with us. Your recipes are going to “up my game” as far as the food I make for my family. — Julia
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Julia, thank you so much for the kind words! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipes 🙂
Joyce says
I made Rogan josh from your recipe with the Insta pot. It was melt in your mouth delicious. Thank you. Do you have a favourite recipe for garam masala?
Thanks from Joyce
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Joyce, I’m so glad to hear that! I usually use store-bought garam masala and like the following brands: Simply Organic, 24 Mantra, Pure Indian Foods.
Esrella Beroff says
Hi,
I am wondering if there is a typo in your lamb biryani recipe. It says 6 minutes and I think it’s supposed to be 60. I want to make sure I cook the lamb adequately. https://myheartbeets.com/instant-pot-lamb-biryani/
Thanks,
Estrella
P.S. Feel free to delete this once you read it.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi! The instant pot is super quick, so it actually is six minutes – I know hard to believe 🙂
mike says
I love the content on your site but the menu that pulls down every time I scroll up on the page is super annoying.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Mike, do you mean the mega menu thing with all the links to the different categories on my page? Let me know…
Smitha says
Thank you Ashley (and your dad)! Your Instant Pot gajar halwa is delicious!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Thanks, Smitha! Happy to hear that you like this so much 🙂
Elsa says
I subscribed last year but regular emails stopped coming in May. I’ve resubscribed twice since then but still no emails. What to do?
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Elsa, sorry about that – it’s been a roller coaster of a year, but I’m hoping to start the emails back up very soon!
Gertrude says
Thank you Elsa for asking the question because I resubscribed also and have been unsure what to do or who to talk to about it. Ashley I miss you too and your superior content and presentation of it. Please take care of what you need to do … like raise a family, love a husband, visit with parents…. but please come back when you can.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Aw thank you! And I’m so sorry for the pause. That’s hopefully changing today – sending out an email now 🙂
MALA says
I WAS SURPRISED TOSEE “DAL dHOKLI” WHICH IS GUJARATI FOOD. MY DAUGHTER GAVE ME YOUR
WEB SITE AS I AM Diabetic and my upper teeth removed so I have to make soups. So my daughter told me go on this web site and you will be able to learn how to make soups. But as I am vegetarian and I do not eat
Eggs so I waS LITTLE disappointed because you have given most of receipes tahat are for non veg.
Thanks
MALA
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Mala, most of my dal recipes might be a good option for you as they are vegetarian. I also have a few vegetarian soup options – you can find all of my soups here: https://myheartbeets.com/category/type-of-meal/soup/
Sig Van Raan says
Ashley, Your story is inspiring. The Lamb chops brought us together with old friends and we had a meaningful evening here onMarthas Vineyard
Thanks for sharing your very interesting stroy. Much success with your cooking ventures
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Thank you for the kind words! I’m so glad to hear that 🙂
Sunita says
My friend made Gobi Aloo yesterday was so delicious – before this i had not heard of your website but i guarantee you will be using my pot a lot more moving forward.
Thank you.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Sunita, I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for letting me know how much you liked it, and also please thank your friend for sharing my website!
Kitty says
Hi Ashley, Is a 6 quart Instant Pot large enough to make your recipe in for Ham and Wild Rice Soup?
Thank you!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Kitty – yes, all of my recipes are tested using a 6-quart Instant Pot 🙂
Jabeen says
Looking to make vermicelli kheer for a party in my 6 qt instapot . Can u tell me how much is needed for about 30 guests . Recipe?
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Jabeen, I have a recipe for vermicelli kheer here: https://myheartbeets.com/vermicelli-kheer/ I’d probably double it twice – though I haven’t tested this myself. I think it’ll work out fine though – let me know if you try!