In today's episode, I'm pleased to welcome mother–son cookbook author team Jyoti and Auyon Mukharji, authors of Heartland Masala: An Indian Cookbook from an American Kitchen.

Before we dive in: If you are ready to start your own cookbook project with clarity and direction, The Creative Cookbook Blueprint is available for a few more days. This resource provides a structured path to begin organizing your recipes, shaping your stories, and moving toward a publishable cookbook. Details are linked in the show notes section below.

Heartland Masala is a vibrant, richly illustrated celebration of Indian home cooking, written from the heart of the American Midwest. Rooted in both tradition and diaspora, the book blends recipes from Punjab, Bengal, and throughout India with the lived experience of a family that has called Kansas City home for decades. In this conversation, we explore:

• Inspiration — How Heartland Masala was born from years of Joyti teaching, family heritage, and the desire to preserve Indian home cooking in a Midwestern context.

• Process — Their collaborative mother–son workflow, recipe testing, adapting regional dishes, and shaping the book's structure.

• Storytelling — Why they included essays, cultural notes, culinary history, memories, and narrative elements to deepen the reader's connection to Indian food.

• Legacy & Impact — What they learned from writing across generations and what they hope the book will contribute to readers, family, and culture.

The book features beloved classics such as Saag Paneer and Vindaloo, lesser-known gems like Bengali Murgh Rezala and Anglo-Indian Spiced Liver Toast, as well as inventive new creations, including Masala Brussels Sprouts and Spiced Watermelon. Jyoti and Auyon even include a handful of cocktail recipes, adding a playful touch to the collection. Their work is a testament to the richness of Indian cuisine, the power of family collaboration, and the vibrant interplay between heritage and place.

Things We Mention in This Episode:

The Creative Cookbook Blueprint

Heartland Masala HQ on Substack