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!
Jon H says
Hi Ashley love your Indian recipes. I have been making them for my family after traveling to India back in 2023. Do you by chance have a great chicken 65 recipe you can share?
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Thanks Jon! You know, I never got around to putting a chicken 65 recipe on the blog. I’ve attempted it a few times but as someone who puts unreasonably high standards on myself I think that’s a recipe that has intimidated me for a while. I’ll have to work on that one day when I’m back to creating new recipes for the website. For now though, I do have a “healthier” Shrimp 65 if you want to give that a try: https://myheartbeets.com/shrimp-65/
Carla Woody says
I’ve just discovered your blog after returning from India. Thank you for making the recipes so easy! I cannot find a notation of how many people each recipe feeds. Pls let me know where I can find that info. 🙏
BD says
I really like your recipes but the amount of pop-ups and ads is suuuuper off-putting and frustrating!! Unfortunately makes your website unusable unless I enjoy getting angry whenever I cook 😬. The page is constantly updating and reloading because of all the crap layered over.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
I know the ads are super annoying and I’ve talked to my ad company many times about it. Best advice is to turn on an ad blocker on your end. Unfortunately I can’t get rid of ads on my website as it’s how I earn money to provide free recipes on the site.
Gargi says
I use the print recipe option while cooking, just plain text – works perfectly!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Awesome, thanks!
Kathleen says
Your recipes are fantastic. My South Indian Brahman husband is so grateful for the Nomato sauce, as he had developed quite a sensitivity to tomato. Your recipes are my go to for vegetarian relatives. I have 3 instant pots and an air fryer. Thank you for making meal preps soooo easy and tasty.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Kathleen, thank you for the kind words! I’m so glad to hear that the nomato masala is working out well for him 🙂
Sonia Wolfer says
I noticed in one of your posts, you went to college in Charlottesville, Im assuming UVA. What year did you graduate? I graduated from there in 2000!
Doreen Herbert says
I need to know the ingredients for the gamer carrot pistachio cake since I am diabetic and need to log my food thanks
Babu Patel says
For Patiala chicken you mention Onion Masala. In the clip it looked like it was in a pot like shape.
How is this made?
Second for pressure cooking you did not seem to state on what heat you should cook and when should you turn off the cooker?
Is it at the first whistle?
Barbara Greenspon says
Just read why you’re not posting. While I sure get it and support that, we miss you new recipes, but thankfully there are so many already.
We came upon your site looking for a beet recipe in the Instantpot and have never looked back. We have no Indian heritage, but we eat your food at least 4 times a week, sometimes more. Going on three years now.
Take good care, and love that beautiful family.
Ketan says
Dear Ashley, I want to congratulate you on such a comprehensive website and lovely South Asian Persuasion cookbook which I just bought and downloaded. Our son has some food sensitivities and eats paleo and he misses Indian food sooo much. Seeing your book has given me lovely new ideas and I’m looking forward to cooking with my son. Wishing you well!