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About Ashley

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!

New Here? Try These!

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Comments

  1. 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

    Reply

  2. 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

    Reply

  6. 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?

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  7. 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

    Reply

  8. 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

    Reply

  9. 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.

    Reply

  10. 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!

    Reply

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