All the stars! I preordered this cookbook as soon as I finished reading the arc. I cook Indian dishes at least once a week at home, and we eat it out several times a month. I'm always looking for new recipes to try, although some are fairly difficult (as a basic home cook) and not explained clearly to those without knowledge of specific techniques or flavors. That is not true about this cookbook. I appreciate the focus that was placed on the American kitchen, and substitutes that might be a little bit easier to find (or recipes to avoid entirely until you can get the recommended produce, for example, because the American substitute might not have the right flavor profile that is intended).

The illustrations were whimsical and stunning, but I did really wish for actual photographs of the dishes - until I got further into the cookbook and they were all there! The photos were beautifully arranged, and showcased different ways to create meals from the provided recipes.

This cookbook is perfect for anyone looking to expand their experience in the kitchen with Indian recipes, but may need a little bit more guidance that a simple recipe contains.

Thank you to The Collective Book Studio and NetGalley for an e-arc of this cookbook!

Detailed, informative, and delightful. This cookbook walks you through the basics in the most through and insightful way with wonderful illustrations and beautiful photos.

Heartland Masala is a good beginners introduction to Indian cooking and recipes. The recipes, from different Indian regions introduce readers to the vast array of Indian ingredients, and include detailed notes and tips with each recipe, fun illustrations, delicious images, and interesting history of Indian foods.

Heartland Masala is a cookbook, but it’s also a family story. There are 99 recipes from a beloved Indian cooking instructor in the Midwest, alongside thoughtful essays by her son that trace memory, migration, and identity. The food is rooted in everyday life, simple, flavorful, and full of heart. The essays add something deeper without feeling heavy. It’s not just about what’s on the plate, but how food holds people together. A quiet, moving read that feels like sitting in someone’s kitchen.

I could not love this book more. The illustrations AND pictures? So fun, cute, and practical. I will be buying this for friends. The recipes feel approachable and special.

I am officially hungry. These recipes look absolutely amazing. Indian recipes have always daunted me with all of the spices and ingredients, but this cookbook made it all seem easy and doable. I loved the combination of cartoonish drawings and actual pictures of the foods themselves. I would devour pretty much any recipe in this book.

This is a fantastic cookbook for Indian food - the family tales and authentic recipes make it a lovely book to dip into and read, as well as an amazing resource. There are lots of vegetarian options - with many recipes showing different ways of preparing vegetables / lentils / beans / paneer. All the recipes have clear step by step instructions (and there are even helpful diagrams for how to fold samosas / assemble parathas which I appreciated)

The hand drawn illustrations add character - the only thing I wish was slightly different is that I would have preferred if the photographs of the finished recipes were next to the relevant recipes, but this wouldn't stop me buying this book and I'm sure I will use it often.

I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC and will definitely be buying a physical copy when it’s published.
The book is filled with the most beautiful illustrations throughout. The recipes are clear and easy to follow. There is a wide variety of different recipes to try. Would highly recommend buying and can’t wait to cook some of them.

This book has so much detail and character! The illustrations are perfect. NetGalley won't allow me to finish writing this review until I make it longer.

this recipe book has so many yummy recipes in, i really liked the illistations that where alongside the recipes, there were some food photographs in the middle of the book, however i think that having them next to the recipes would make people more likely to try the recipes. I really like this recipe book

This was a great cookbook. Very easy-to-follow recipes. I can't wait to try these recipes. I would highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

This book is so beautiful and sentimental. The love and depth of culture shines through this wonderfully written cookbook. Packed with recipes that are full of flavour, this book also contains the coolest illustrations.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Jyoti Mukharji, Auyon Mukharji and The Collective Book Studio for allowing me to view an ARC of this lovely cookbook!

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC of the ebook. I love everything about this book and the way it is organized. I appreciate the clear explanations of what to expect when cooking the recipes in this book with lots of tips and techniques to successfully cook these recipes. Some of the recipes are familiar to me, while others are new and I love that. Learning how different people approach a recipe is what makes me learn and practice to then make it my own. The illustrations and photography in this book are beautiful and I think this is a great book to buy and also gift to anyone who is interested in learning how to cook Indian food.

Heartland Masala is an absolute treat for both your tastebuds and your heart. This cookbook blends vibrant Indian flavors with a cozy Midwestern charm, thanks to the delightful collaboration between mother-son duo Jyoti and Auyon Mukharji. Jyoti’s recipes—many of which she’s shared in her Kansas City kitchen for years—are easy to follow, rich with tradition, and full of soul. From classics like Saag Paneer to more adventurous bites like Chicken Curry with Water Lily Seeds, every dish feels like a warm invitation into her home. The colorful food photography makes it even more tempting to roll up your sleeves and get cooking.

But what really sets this book apart are the thoughtful cultural essays and the whimsical, eye-catching illustrations scattered throughout. Auyon, a culinary historian, adds warmth and wit as he explores themes of identity, heritage, and the immigrant experience. The illustrations aren’t just charming—they’re educational too, making complex topics feel approachable while adding a sense of playfulness that brings the book to life. Heartland Masala isn’t just about learning recipes—it’s about savoring stories, celebrating culture, and connecting across generations. It’s a flavorful, heartfelt gem that feeds both the mind and the soul.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is an amazing cookbook and a must read for anyone who loves Indian cuisine. I loved the characters of the two authors being provided next to an introduction of them and then dotted about through the book at the perfect moment. I appreciated that they took the time to talk us through the basics without talking down or making us feel bad for not knowing, especially since chop and roughly chop can mean different things to different people as well as information on the linguistics and common words that will be used. The recipes are easy to follow and I liked that there were also some fun facts like “a note on courses” and “the great curry debate” sprinkled throughout as well as their food and life stories.

One of the most charming cookbooks that I have ever read.
Heartland Masala has the heart at its core, a mother and son, Jyoti and Auyon show us what love means, while also informing us about Indian food, giving us recipes, food stories, and stories about immigration.
The team behind this book includes other Mukharji family members, and if you miss the book, its mood and the Mukharji’s cooking and storytelling, they have a website (I did miss them, and immediately started searching for more - cannot wait to see what they come up with next).
Also, this book has the most amazing design and artwork. Totally unique.

Note: This review is based on an advanced reader copy.

This is the indian cookbook I've spent the past two decades wishing for! My heartfelt thanks goes to the author and his mother for publishing it.

After spending a year in India in the late nineties for college, I developed a craving for Indian cooking and couldn't wait to make my own. However, cooking Indian food in America presents a lot of challenges. Most recipes are written for folks with easy access to Indian grocery stores, and use terms and measurements that are not standard in America. Often recipes for Indian food assume an access to and knowledge of ingredients that most folks raised outside India just don't have.

This cookbook, however, is written by folks who live in the American midwest, and contains so much helpful information and explanation for everything an American needs to know to find or make the ingredients for authentic Indian cooking. Helpful illustrations, explanations, and heartwarming anecdotes about the author and his mother abound.

There are plenty of illustrations, even including how to fold dough for specific recipes like paratha or samosa. There's illustrations and explanations of the different types of beans, spices, etc that are used in the recipes and common to Indian cooking. There's details on how to grind and mix the right spices for authentic flavor, and So Many recipes. They are all written clearly and kindly to make it easy.

If you are an American who wants to make some delicious Indian food, this is your book! The author makes it possible, step by step. There are so many recipes, from staples like chana masala, samosa, and a killer masala chai, to delicious foods that the average American might not have gotten the chance to be exposed to.

Yesterday, I was trying to recreate one of my favorite foods from my time in India, but found that even after buying a mix to make it simpler, I was stuck. It called for "sour curd," which is not something I can find at my local grocery store. However, just a few pages into this book was the recipe for homemade yogurt (curd). Now I can easily make it myself.

I'm so happy to find this book! There will be some amazing smells coming from my kitchen now.

“I’m in the Heartland! I like Indian food!” was as far as I thought about it before picking up this cookbook, but there’s so much more than recipes in here! It’s full of humor, history, and adorable illustrations. The pictures help you visualize the recipes and I love the dot indicator to know which area of India the recipe is from. Some of the recipes are probably too advanced for me, but the authors break things down and illustrate methods in the simplest way possible. Absolutely gorgeous book!

The illustrations are beyond stunning! They blend vibrant depictions of ingredients with humor to really effectively create engagement.

This really does feel like a labor of love between son and mother. The tidbits and stories shared by Auyon pair perfectly with the rest of the recipes, without feeling disconnected.

Indian cooking can feel overwhelming with so many spices and ingredients, but this book does a great job breaking everything down without being simplistic.

Thank you Netgalley, The Collective Book Studio, Jyoti Mukharji, and Auyon Mukharji for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.


The drawings are so fun! I really liked them, and they gave a cheerful feeling to the whole book. The photos are stunning as well, and it was hard to not be hungry while flipping through this cookbook.

I can tell the Jyoti does cooking classes. This book is written in a way that is easy enough for a beginner to follow. I loved all the detailed descriptions and instructions for ingredients, preparation, and cooking skills.

The recipe directions are clear, and easy to understand and follow. They are also fairly authentic, with some minor tweaks for harder to find ingredients. The little notes that come with some of the recipes are very helpful too!

This is a book that I would love to slowly cook my way through. It's approachable, beautiful, and would also make a great gift for any cook in your life.