Cookbook Love Podcast

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

What begins as a handwritten recipe or a note in the margins of a cookbook can become the seed of something much bigger. In today's episode, we explores what every writer needs to write and how your words can do more than fill a page. They can feed both your readers and your business. You'll also hear about a free resource to spark your creativity: 👉 100 Ways to Turn Your Recipes and Writing Into Revenue: a guide packed with ideas to help you transform your recipes, writing, and creativity into meaningful income. If you've ever wondered how to bridge your love of cooking and writing into a business, this episode is your invitation to begin. Things We Mention in This Episode: 100 Ways to Turn Your Recipes and Writing into Revenue

Hi everybody, and welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Last week, we talked about the traditional publishing team and the real benefits of working with a publisher — how editors, designers, and marketers help bring a cookbook to life. This week, I'm sharing Part 1 of my three-part Publish Your Cookbook Masterclass, called Navigating the Publishing Industry. In this first session, we're tackling one of the biggest challenges cookbook writers face — figuring out how to navigate the publishing world. If you've ever thought, "I don't know where to start." "I'm afraid of choosing the wrong path." "Publishing feels so complicated," Then this session is for you. You'll learn about the three main types of publishing — independent, hybrid, and traditional — and how to decide which path aligns with your goals. It's the clarity so many professionals have been missing — a way to see exactly where you fit in the publishing landscape and how to move forward with confidence. Before we dive in, I want to let you know that the doors are open to Get Paid to Get Published until this evening at 10 PM Eastern. This is your final chance to join us for this round, and I wanted to give you one more opportunity to experience the masterclass and see if writing a cookbook and getting it traditionally published is right for you. So settle in and enjoy this replay, Navigating the Publishing Industry from the Publish Your Cookbook Masterclass. Things We Mention in This Episode: Download worksheet for Part 1 Navigate the Publishing Industry Watch Parts 2 and 3 of Publish Your Cookbook Masterclass  

✨ Before we get started, an exciting announcement! ✨ Are you a food, nutrition, or culinary professional dreaming of publishing a cookbook? Right now we are in the middle of our Publish Your Cookbook Masterclass. In this free masterclass, we are discussing the shortcut most aspiring authors miss — how to publish your cookbook without writing your book first. You'll discover how to position yourself as the author publishers want right now and follow the exact steps to land your first book deal. Don't miss this opportunity to watch this on-demand class (like Netflix)!  👉 Register at publishcookbooks.com. Have you ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes once a cookbook is acquired by a traditional publisher? Who edits your recipes?  Who decides the fonts and photography style?  And what's actually your job once the contract is signed? Today, we're mapping it all out — The Professional Cookbook Team Map — so you can see exactly how a cookbook moves from manuscript to masterpiece. By the end of this episode, you'll know: Who handles editing, design, and photography What's expected of you as the author And what you can focus on right now to actually get paid to write your cookbook Things We Mention in This Episode: Register for the Publish Your Cookbook masterclass   

✨ Before we get started, an exciting announcement! ✨ If you're a food, nutrition, or culinary professional dreaming of publishing a cookbook with a traditional publisher, join me for the Publish Your Cookbook event starting Monday, October 20, 2025. In this free training, you'll learn the shortcut most aspiring authors miss — how to sell your cookbook concept before writing the entire manuscript. You'll discover how to position yourself as the author publishers want right now and follow the exact steps to land your first book deal. Don't miss this opportunity!  👉 Register at publishcookbooks.com. A quick shout-out to Mari, a long-time listener of the Cookbook Love Podcast, who recently shared in our Confident Cookbook Writer Facebook Group: "I self-published a cookbook! I'm not in the writing program, but I wanted to thank Maggie Green for the amazing Cookbook Love Podcast I've been binging for the past two years. I wouldn't have finished my book without your guidance." Her story is a beautiful reminder of the impact of showing up and sharing knowledge—one podcast at a time. Today's guest is Mary Bryant Schrader, creator of Mary's Nest, a beloved YouTube channel with over one million subscribers and more than 600 videos on traditional cooking skills—think bone broth, sourdough, and fermentation. Mary's new book, The Modern Pioneer Pantry: A Complete Guide to Preserving Food, brings timeless kitchen wisdom into today's world. In this episode, we discuss: What traditional foods really are Why food preservation matters now more than ever The Four Corners Pantry concept Lessons Mary has learned from YouTube and cookbook writing Things We Mention in This Episode: Register for the Publish Your Cookbook masterclass Join the Confident Cookbook Writer Facebook Group Mary's Nest

✨Before we get started, an exciting announcement ✨ If you're a food, nutrition, or culinary pro and you dream of being published by a traditional publisher, I want to invite you to my upcoming Publish Your Cookbook event where you will learn the shortcut most aspiring authors miss when publishing their cookbook. You'll discover how to position yourself as the author publishers want right now, and the exact steps to land your first book deal. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss. Head to publishcookbooks.com to register for the event.  Today I'm joined by award-winning author Maureen Abood to talk about her beautiful new book, Lebanese Baking. Known for her warm storytelling and deep connection to Lebanese food culture, Maureen invites us into the heart of her kitchen and heritage. During the interview, we discussed: Behind the table of contents: how Maureen designed the book to blend classic staples, family favorites, and innovative takes. The significance of sharing: why the act of baking and offering food to others is central to Lebanese tradition. Homemade phyllo dough: what inspired her to include this ambitious yet rewarding recipe, and how she makes it approachable. A baker's starting point: which recipes Maureen recommends if you're new to baking and to Lebanese cuisine. If you've ever been curious about Lebanese flavors, want to expand your baking repertoire, or simply love the idea of food as a way to connect and share, this conversation will inspire you to preheat your oven and invite someone to the table. Things We Mention in This Episode: Register for the upcoming Publish Your Cookbook event Maureen Abood

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I'm excited to talk to you about one key tool in the life of most cookbook authors, and that's an email list. Part of the reason I want to talk about this is that there is a misconception that we have to chase publishers and agents. But what I've found to be true in my own life, in the lives of my students, and in the lives of the authors I've talked to on the show is that publishers and agents are looking for a food, culinary, or nutrition expert like you. And how will they find you? That's exactly what we're going to talk about. What makes for a strong author platform is the heart of the platform, your email list. I'll break down why your list is your most valuable publishing asset, how to simplify your platform so it feels doable, and how to reignite your list to connect with your audience starting today. Things We Mention in This Episode: Download the Cookbook Author Platform Checklist   

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I'm excited to have an interview with Stephanie Hansen. Stephanie is the host of the Emmy-award-winning TV show "Taste Buds with Stephanie", blogger at Stephanie's Dish, and radio host of The Weekly Dish and author of True North Cabin Cookbook Volume Two: Seasonal Recipes From a Cozy Kitchen. Stephanie hails from Minnesota and spends her summers entertaining in her cabin on True North Island in Minnesota. Today on the show, we talk all about cabin cooking and entertaining, Stephanie's seasonal favorite recipes to welcome guests and feed people the foods of the Midwest and Minnesota.  Things We Mention in This Episode: Stephanie's Dish website blog True North Cabin Cookbook: Volume Two  

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. I just finished enrolling new students into Cookbooks on KDP and wanted to share something with you based on my conversations with aspiring cookbook authors. When I talk to successful cooks, bakers, dietitians, chefs, and others who have a ton of kitchen experience to share, I hear them say things like: "I don't have time." "I'm not techie enough." "Do I need an audience first?"  "I'm not a dietitian". But underneath those words is something we all face, what I call Doubt Soup. In this episode, I explore how doubt shows up in disguise, why it keeps so many cookbook dreams on hold, and what we can do instead of sit in the Doubt Soup.  Things We Mention in This Episode: Join the waitlist for the 2026 cohort of Cookbooks on KDP 

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today on the Cookbook Love Podcast, I'm sharing what I call the hidden beginning of publishing. Over the years, we've talked a lot about the types of publishing — self, traditional, and hybrid — and we've heard from hundreds of authors who've chosen each of those paths. But behind the scenes, there's another part of the publishing journey we rarely talk about: the inner life of a cookbook author, and that's what we're going to talk about today. Publishing isn't just about producing a book. It's about letting the love you already live with spill over into something permanent, dignified, and shareable. Things We Mention in This Episode: Doors are open for enrollment in Cookbooks on KDP Interviews with Graduates of Cookbooks on KDP: Episode 352: Kasey Lobb Episode 356: Cristina Carolan Episode 313: Gerry Romano and Katelin Maidment Episode 287: Lorraine Carlstrom Episode 288: Chantal Secours  

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today, I'm joined by Camille Beckstrand of Six Sisters' Stuff. What began in 2011 as a way for six sisters to stay connected after leaving their childhood home has grown into one of the top family-friendly recipe websites on the internet. With a focus on simple, approachable meals, Six Sisters' Stuff has become a trusted source for millions of families worldwide. Their latest cookbook, 30-Minute Meals with Six Sisters' Stuff: 100+ Quick and Easy Meals the Whole Family Will Love!, brings their signature family-first approach into the kitchen with more than 100 quick, delicious, and stress-free recipes. Whether you're a busy parent, a working professional, or someone who craves home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen, this book is your go-to guide. Today on the show we talk all about: The evolution of Six Sisters' Stuff from blog to thriving business Writing cookbooks and how they fit alongside online recipes Choosing cookbook topics and themes Strategies for making meals in under 30 minutes Fan-favorite recipes: Lemon Brownies Two-Ingredient Naan Butter Chicken Mexican Street Corn Tacos Why dinner served in bowls is so popular right now This episode is packed with insights about food blogging, cookbook writing, and making mealtime easier without sacrificing flavor. Things We Mention in This Episode: Six Sisters' Stuff: 30-Minute Meals book Six Sisters Stuff Join the Cookbook Publishing Masterclass now in progress  

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I'm not really an expert… who am I to write a cookbook?" or conversely "They're not really an expert…who are they to write a cookbook? You're not alone. For years, publishers, editors, and agents acted as gatekeepers, deciding who was "qualified" to write a cookbook. But times have changed. In this episode, I'll walk you through: The old gatekeepers who kept most voices out of publishing How traditional publishing is shifting and why publishers now want new and unique lived experiences How self-publishing platforms have blown the doors open Who the real gatekeepers are today And the most important truth: the only permission you need  You'll also hear about The Cookbook Publishing Masterclass, a free 3-part training series I've created to help you take the next step toward your cookbook dream. It begins September 2, and it's the perfect way to see what's possible when you stop waiting for permission. Things We Mention in This Episode: Join the waitlist for the Cookbook Publishing Masterclass beginning September 2, 2025

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today on the podcast I share three questions that came up during Recipe Week LIVE 2025: how to ethically adapt recipes, how to move from passive learning to active doing, and how to price a self-published print cookbook on Amazon with confidence. Today on the show, I share: Adaptation & attribution: Why ingredient lists and basic processes aren't generally copyrightable and how your expression (voice, headnotes, tips, stories, history, technique rationale) creates protectable originality. Simple, honest "inspired by/adapted from" credit keeps you on solid ethical ground. From learning to doing: Why passive learning feels comfortable, and how small, courageous actions (blank page → draft → test → iterate) build momentum. Use tools like a Pre-Recipe Tool or documentation is the bridge to capture ideas and start writing. Pricing with confidence: Why $25–$40 is common for premium print cookbooks, how color and page count affect your KDP print costs, and why price is a signal of value and not a race to the bottom with a lost cost book. Consider your margin and own your profit goal. Things We Mention in This Episode: Join the waitlist for Cookbooks on KDP (September 2025 enrolling soon) KDP Printing Cost & Royalty Calculator  

Before we get started, there's still time to take advantage of the final two days of Recipe Week LIVE 2025 happening now through August 15, 2025. This live event is for anyone who wants to turn what they cook or bake every day into publishable recipes. Sign up here for Recipe Week LIVE 2025.  Today I'm excited to have an interview with Holly Capelle. Holly is a home cook, food preservationist, lifestyle artist, and advocate for sustainable living. She is the founder of @bigfamilyliving, an online community for people who preserve, create, cook, and garden. Holly is the author of the new book Preserving the Seasons, a comprehensive guide to the easiest ways to preserve the produce, herbs, and flowers you love. Holly lives in Portland, Oregon, and with her husband and six children, they've created a living garden classroom in their suburban home. As the garden has grown over the years, it's now filled with chickens and vegetable, fruit, herb, and edible flower gardens right out her back door. Today Holly and I talk all about her living classroom, and walk through her beautiful new book filled with tips for infusions, drying, dehydrating, freeze-drying, and how to incorporate these preserved ingredients into everyday cooking. Things We Mention in This Episode: Register for Recipe Week LIVE Holly Capelle @bigfamilyliving Preserving the Seasons  

Welcome to the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I'm excited to have an interview with Ellen Kanner. Ellen Kanner is the author of Miami Vegan: Plant-Based Recipes from the Tropics to Your Table and the award-winning book Feeding the Hungry Ghost: Life, Faith and What to Eat for Dinner. She writes about the intersection of food, culture, community, and wellness for outlets including HuffPost, VegNews, and Edible South Florida. Ellen is a vegan advocate and culinary instructor, and the creator of the Substack newsletter Broccoli Rising. As a fifth-generation Miami native, Ellen lives with her husband in where else? Beautiful Miami. Today on the show, we talk about all the natural beauty and wonders of Miami, her life as a vegan, her new book Miami Vegan, including everything from tropical fruits and vegetables in Miami, vegan food swap and ingredients, as well as Ellen's perhaps unpopular opinion about how to include more vegetables in your diet.  Don't forget to register for our upcoming LIVE event: Recipe Week LIVE 2025: Get Your Recipes Cookbook-Ready, happening August 11-15, 2025. This five-day live event is for aspiring cookbook authors who want to turn their passion into publishable recipes. Sign up here for Recipe Week LIVE 2025.  Things We Mention in This Episode: Register for Recipe Week LIVE Ellen Kanner Miami Vegan: Plant-based Recipes from the Tropics to Your Table    

Welcome to the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today, I talk about a question I hear all the time: How do I get my recipes ready for a cookbook? Recipes are the heart of any cookbook. They are what set our books apart from other works of non-fiction. They're not just instructions on paper; they're a combination of creativity, story, and trust. So if you are writing your recipes for publication, this episode is for you. In this episode, I'll walk you through the five stages of recipe writing: ideation, development, writing, testing, and publishing. These stages form the foundation of every great cookbook recipe, and understanding them will help you move from a scattered collection of notes to polished, cookbook-ready recipes. And if you want to dive deeper, I'll also tell you about Recipe Week LIVE 2025: Get Your Recipes Cookbook-Ready, happening August 11-15, 2025. This five-day live event is going to change the way you think about recipe writing. Sign up here for Recipe Week LIVE 2025.  Things We Mention in This Episode: Register for Recipe Week LIVE   

Today on the podcast, I'm joined by Daen Lia — home cook, recipe creator, and the author of Garlic, Olive Oil + Everything Mediterranean. You may know Daen from her wildly popular social channels under @daenskitchen, where she shares comforting Mediterranean-inspired recipes with over 6 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Daen Lia learned to cook from her Spanish and Italian mother and grandmother. With the smell of garlic and roasted tomatoes wafting through the kitchen, Daen discovered the alchemy of a few simple ingredients: garlic, olive oil, and whatever is fresh, whether a vegetable or protein, or both.  In this episode, we explore: Why garlic confit is the foundation of nearly every recipe in her cookbook—and how to make it yourself How one simple batch of garlic and olive oil can transform everyday meals The journey from social content to print publishing The six essential ingredients that structure her book: GARLIC, OLIVE OIL, BUTTER, BREAD, CRUMBS, and EGGS Daen's tips for creating content for social media Whether you're new to Mediterranean cooking or a seasoned home cook, Garlic, Olive Oil + Everything Mediterranean offers approachable techniques, bold flavor, and heartfelt inspiration from a kitchen rooted in love and simplicity. Things We Mention in This Episode: Garlic, Olive Oil, + Everything Mediterranean Daen's Kitchen Join the waitlist for Cookbooks on KDP for September 2025 Diana Henry's How to Eat a Peach Matty Mattheson's  Soup, Salad, and Sandwiches: A Cookbook  

In this episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast, I'm joined by Suzanne Lenzer, food stylist, writer, and author of Peckish: Suggestions for the Sophisticated Snacker. Suzanne's approach to food and cooking invites us to consider not just what we eat, but how and why, with more spontaneity and less convention. Suzanne shares how she structured Peckish around "vessels" like On Toast, In Jars, Napkins Only, and more, making it easier (and more fun) to plan a night of grazing or to turn an afternoon snack into a small ritual of care. In today's show we talk about:  What mindful snacking actually looks like Why "Girl Dinner" became a cultural moment How to structure meals (or non-meals!) around what you're really craving The beauty of Peckish as both a guide and an invitation If you've ever felt the joy of assembling a little plate that speaks to what you want in that moment, this conversation is for you. Let's celebrate the joy of eating well, one thoughtful snack at a time. Things We Mention in This Episode: Peckish: Suggestions for the Sophisticated Snacker Connect with Suzanne Lenzer Join the waitlist for Cookbooks on KDP for September 2025 Diana Henry, How to Eat a Peach  

In today's episode, we're unpacking a concept I teach inside the Get Paid to Get Published program about defining Your Cookbook Concept. Using a powerful metaphor —the Dinner Party Analogy—we'll explore how to define what your book is really about, who it's for, what's on the "menu," and why it matters in today's publishing landscape. Today you'll learn why you, the author, are the host of your book's journey, how to identify and describe your ideal reader, and different cookbook concept types—from ingredients to holidays, what makes your book stand out in the market, and what is a competition study. Things We Mention in This Episode: How to Get Paid to Write a Cookbook Free Training Too Many Eggs Episode 261 with Mimi Smith Dvorak  

Welcome to another episode of the show. Today, I'm excited to welcome Cristina Carolan. Cristina is a plant-based personal chef and author of Plant-Based Pacific, a cookbook that reflects a vibrant fusion of culinary cultures from Japan, Hawaii, and the Philippines. She's the owner of Chef Veggie, a plant-based personal chef and holistic lifestyle service. A lifelong traveler, Cristina's experiences living in Japan, visiting her mother's homeland of the Philippines, and calling three Hawaiian islands home inform every dish and story in her book. In today's episode, we talk about: The inspiration behind Plant-Based Pacific How Cristina's multicultural upbringing shaped the concept Cristina's cookbook publishing journey Recipes and stories for local meals like Hawaiian Plate Lunch and Filipino Kamayan, all with a plant-based twist Advice for aspiring cookbook authors Whether you're a plant-based cook, a cultural food enthusiast, or dreaming of writing a cookbook, Cristina's story offers warmth, insight, and plenty of practical wisdom for your journey in the kitchen and at your keyboard. Things We Mention in This Episode: Join the waitlist for Cookbooks on KDP for September 2025 Connect with Cristina Carolan  Order a personalized copy of Plant-Based Pacific