Woman holding a bowl of sour cream dip with chips on a kitchen countertop.

About the Home Cooking Collective

Welcome! I’m Karishma, and I run the Home Cooking Collective. I am a culinary researcher and a seasoned home cook of 15+ years. Here at the Home Cooking Collective, we believe that cooking is the gourmet's act of self-care.

I see cooking as an act of love and a form of relaxation. Home Cooking Collective offers a diverse collection of flavorful, small-batch recipes made from scratch. In addition to these recipes, I also offer workshops and cooking guides aimed at creating memories and moments of joy for you in the kitchen.

Ready to get started? Check out my start here page for recipe inspiration, or read on below to learn more about me!

Karishma's Story

As the daughter of Indian immigrants in the United States, I grew up surrounded by delicious home-cooked meals lovingly prepared by my mother. Every day, she would fill our home with the scent of freshly made chapatis, warm curries simmering on the stove, and flavorful stir-fries. Yet, it wasn't until I was a bit older that I began learning how to cook.

On a dewy morning in the summer of sixth grade, I sat down in the living room to watch some TV. That day, I flipped through the television channels to Food Network. Entranced by the personalities of Rachel Ray, Giada De Laurentiis, and Emeril Lagasse, that morning marked the start of a deep love and connection with cooking.

Throughout middle school and high school, I watched every Food Network show imaginable, scoured food blogs for their favorite meals, and stained the pages of countless cookbooks. I fell in love with Italian cooking as I attempted to perfect recipes such as chicken piccata, hearty marinara sauce, and cioppino stew. Every Thanksgiving, I enlisted my family as my sous-chefs and spent hours in the kitchen creating an extensive spread of dishes.

Woman sprinkling cheese over pizza dough. — Photo Credit: Brianna Coleman

Woman sitting on a couch with a cup of hot chocolate. — Photo Credit: Brianna Coleman

I continued cooking throughout college and as a working adult, inviting friends over for brunches and dinner parties to share homemade pasta, ice cream, or a re-creation of the latest meal I tried at a restaurant.

Even on weeknights, after coming home tired and exhausted from the work day, I found solace in cooking; the simple act of sifting through my pantry to brainstorm a delicious weeknight meal was enough to restore my energy. Eventually, in 2020, I turned my love of cooking into a full-time job as a professional recipe developer, food photographer, and food writer.

I'm a data analyst by trade with a bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, so I love the recipe testing process! My recipes are extensively researched and tested, and I provide lots of tips and tricks to eliminate any sources of stress in your cooking process.

I firmly believe that the act of cooking can be a source of therapy - whether it's kneading a batch of dough, grinding spices, or creating a special meal for family. And I hope that you, too, can find joy and relaxation in my recipes!

Want to learn more about my story? Check out my Podcast interview on the Food Blogger Pro Podcast or my recent interview with VoyageLA.

What You'll Find on My Blog

At the Home Cooking Collective, I blend research, experimentation, and storytelling to bring you extensively tested recipes, culturally relevant food history, and science-backed techniques to make you a better cook.

I focus on the following areas:

Globally inspired dishes with bold flavors, with a focus on Italian and Indian dishes that are pescatarian-friendly. You can browse through all of the different cuisines.
Comforting, cozy small-batch recipes for any mood or occasion, from quick weeknight dinners to relaxing weekend projects.
Tons of scientific and intuition-based techniques with step-by-step photos aimed at teaching you the how's and why's of cooking throughout my blog posts, cooking guides, and online cooking workshops.

FAQs

How did you come up with the name Home Cooking Collective?

I wanted to create a name that emphasized my love for cozy, home cooked dishes. My ultimate dream is to be able to share recipes and food stories submitted by contributors from all across the globe, hence the 'collective' portion of the name!

Do you have any recommendations for easy recipes for a weeknight dinner?

Absolutely! A few of my favorites are kale pasta, kale caesar salad, creamy gochujang pasta e ceci, bean and cheese tacos, and impossible smash burgers. See the full list of quick and easy dinners.

Do you have any recommendations for impressive recipes to bring to a dinner party?

Yes! Here's a curated list of recipes, from appetizers to desserts. This spicy sour cream dip with tadka is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. You can't go wrong with mussels in cream sauce served alongside fluffy homemade focaccia. And finally, for dessert, how about an easy peach clafoutis or chocolate yogurt pots de creme?

For more ideas, check out my list of most popular recipes!

I have an idea for a recipe! Will you make it for me?

Sure! Please use this form to contact me or send me an e-mail at hello@homecookingcollective.com.

Select Features

As a professional recipe developer and freelance food writer, I have been featured by various publications, including Food52, Taste Cooking, Edible Boston, Food Blogger Pro and Clariti. I'm a regular contributor at Simply Recipes, where I was nominated for an IACP award.

I've also worked with various food brands, like Icelandic Provisions and Bob's Red Mill. Interesting in working together? Take a look at my recipe and photography portfolio.