The Name Game

"So do u have difficulty in figuring out what the recipe book actually says???
 Do u feel that this recipe wont work out just coz the ingredients mentioned are not available in India???
Well well well.... lemme tell you that Indian land is the mother of all spices. You might be familiar with so many spices that the Western Chefs might not be even aware of! India is the land of spices. India is the land of flavors. India is the land of Aroma. Never forget that Brits came all the way here just in need of flavoring their meat and here they found everything they needed to make their meals tastier! So even if there are fancy names mentioned in the recipe books.. don't get baffled! Here is a list that will make your job simpler and you'll have a 'facepalm'!

English                                   Hindi                                                   Marathi

Aniseed                                   Saunf                                                  Badishope               

Asafoetida                               Hing                                                    Hinga

Basil                                        Sweet Basil                                        Tulshi

                                                (Avoid using tulsi leaves)                   

Bay leaf                                   Tej patta                                             Tamal Patra

Black Cardamom                   Kali Elaichi/Badi Elaichi                      Masala Velchi

Black pepper                           Kali Mirch                                            Kaale Meere

Black salt                                Kala namak                                         Sendha meeth

Cardamom                              Elaichi                                                 Velchi

Caraway seeds                       Shah Jeera                                         Shah Jeere

Carom Seeds                          Ajwain                                                Ova                            

Cinnamon                               Dalchini                                               Dalchini

Cilantro                                    Hara Dhania/Kothmir                          Kothimbir

Clove                                       Laung                                                  Lavang

Coriander seeds                      Dhania                                                Dhane            

Curry Leaves                          Kari Patta                                            Kadhipatta

Cumin seeds                          Jeera                                                  Jeere

Dates                                       Khajur                                                 Khajur

Dill                                           Soa                                                      Shepu

Dry Ginger powder                 Saunth                                                 Suntha

Dry Mango powder                 Aamchur powder                                 Aamchur

Dried Pumpkin seeds             Magaz                                                  Magaz

Emblica                                   Amla                                                    Avla

Fennel Seeds                          Saunf                                                  Badishope

Fenugreek Seeds                   Methi dana                                          Methi che dane

Garlic                                      Lahsun                                                Lasoon

Green Cardamom                  Hari Elaichi                                          Hiravi Velchi

Jaggery                                   Gud                                                     Gul

Nigella seeds                           Kalonji                                                 Kalonji

Mace                                       Javitri                                                  Javitri

Mint leaves                              Pudina                                                 Pudina

Mustard                                   Rai                                                       Mohri/ Rai

Nutmeg                                   Jaifal                                                   Jaifal

Onion Seeds                           Kalonji                                                 Kalonji

Paprika Powder                      Lal Mirch Powder                                Lal Tikhat

Parsley                                    Kothmir/ Dhania (Hybrid)                    Kothimbir (Hybrid)

Peppermint                             Pudina                                                 Pudina

Pomegranate seeds                Anardana                                            Daalimba dane

Poppy seeds                           Khus-khus                                           Khus-khus

Rasins                                     Kishmish                                             Kismis

Red Pepper                             Lal Mirch                                             Lal Mirchi

Rose water                              Gulab jal                                             Gulab pani

Salt                                          Namak                                                 Meeth

Saffron                                     Kesar                                                  Kesar

Star Anise                               Chakri Phool                                       Chakri/ Dagadi Fool

Sugar                                      Shakkar                                              Sakhar

Tamarind                                 Imli                                                     Chincha

Thymol seeds                         Ajwain                                                 Ova

Turmeric                                 Haldi                                                    Halad

Vinegar                                    Sirka                                                   Shirka (Ek aamla

                                                                                                            Drav)

White pepper                           Safed mirch                                       Pandhre/Safed    

                                                                                                           Meere