As a first-generation Indian American child, I mostly grew up eating home-cooked meals. My mom loves experimenting with different cuisines and flavors, and I’m always fascinated by how her passion for cooking enables her to step out of her comfort zone. As a child, I loved the food she made at home, and as I got older, I began helping her more and more in the kitchen. I enjoyed the endless possibilities of flavors I could create. My mother taught me how to make simple dishes I could prepare on my own, and at seven years old, I wrote my first cookbook, “Cook with Amiya.” As my cooking journey has evolved, I’ve begun to further explore various cuisines from around the world. These recipes are a way for me to preserve the flavors and traditions that connect me to my roots, while also honoring the joy of discovering dishes that are entirely new to me.

Amiya Pachapurkar