Spices used in Indian cookery, Role of spices in Indian cookery, Indian equivalent of spices (names)

 Indian Condiment & Spices Hindi & English Name with Their Uses in Kitchen

1. Ajowan                         (Ajwain)
2. Aniseed                         (Saunf)
3. Asafoetida                    (Hing)
4. Bay Leaf                       (Taj Patta)
5. Green Cardamom       (Choti elaichi)
6. Black Cardamom        (Moti/Badi elaichi)
7. Cinnamon                    (Dalchini)
8. Clove                            (Laung)
9. Coriander Seed            (Dhaniya)
10. Cumin                         (Jeera/Zeera)
11. Chilli                            (Mirch)
12. Fenugreek                   (Methi daana)
13. Wild Mangosteen       (Kokum)
14. Mace and Nutmeg      (Javitri and Jaiphal)
15. Mustard                       (Sarson/Rai)
16. Nigella                          (Kolonji/Onion seeds)
17. Pepper                          (Kali Mirch)
18. Poppy Seeds                 (Khus Khus)
19. Saffron                          (Kesar/Zafran)
20. Turmeric                       (Haldi/Yellow ginger)
21. Curry Leaf                    (Kari Patta)
22. Dried Ginger                (Saunth)
23. Black Salt                     (Kala namak)
24. Allspice                         (Kebab cheeni)
25. Cubeb Pepper              (Pipli/Long pepper)
26. Dill                                 (Sowa)
27. Liquorice                       (Mulethi/Black sugar)
28. Star Anise                      (Badalphool/Chakriphool)
29. Zedoary                          (Aam haldi/Wild turmeric)
30. Celery Seeds                   (Radhuni)
31. Marjoram                       (Marwa)
32. Oregano                          (Sathra/ Mountain mint)
33. Capers                             (Marathi Moggu/ Kiari/ Kabra)
34. Stone Flower                   (Pathar ka phool)
35. Cobra Saffron                 (Nag kesar)
36. Basil Seeds                       (Subza)
37. Root of Betel                    (Paan ki jadh)

 

NAME

TYPE

CHARACTERISTICS

EXAMPLE USE

Allspice

Whole or ground #spice

Small brown berry. Flavour resembles a combination, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Native to W. India. – Spices and #Herbs SL 326

Sausages, braised meats, poached fish, cooked fruits, puddings, pies, relishes

Anise

Whole or ground spice

Licorice flavour, native to Spain, China, and Syria.

Cookies, pastries, bread.

Basil

Herb leaf; fresh or dried

Aromatic green leaf, member of mint family. Can be grown fresh in warm weather.

Tomato dishes, Pesto, egg dishes, salads, marinades, fish, compound butters.

Bay leaf

Whole leaf herb

Stiff, dark green, oblong leaf. Pungent aroma. Reminiscent of sassafras. Comes from laurel tree.

Stocks, sauces, soups, stews, braised meats.

Bouquet garni

Flavouring mix

A personal selection of herbs, vegetables and occasionally spices, often tied with a string. – Spices and Herbs SL 329

Stocks, soups, sauces

Caraway

Whole spice, seed.

Dark brown curved seed. Grown in Northern Europe.

Rye breads, cabbage, sauerkraut, Eastern European cuisine.

Cardamom

Whole pod or ground seed spice.

Tiny brown seeds, white on green pods. Sweet and aromatic, expensive. Native of India and Guatemala.

Pickling, Danish pastries, curries

Cayenne

Ground spice, seed.

Ground hot red pepper. Very powerful. Native to French Guiana.

In small amounts: soups, sauces, fish, eggs.

Celery seed

Whole or ground spice, seed

Tiny brown seed, with strong celery flavour. Too much can create a “hot” spice effect.

Salads, dressings, pickling, tomato dishes, marinades. – Spices and Herbs SL 321

Chervil

Herb leaf, fresh or dried

Mild flavour of parsley and tarragon

Soup, salads, sauces, egg dishes, chicken, fish, dressings.

Chili powder

Ground spice, blend

Blend of ground cumin, chili pepper, oregano, all spice. Can be mild or hot

Chili, stews, sauces, ground meats.

Chives

Fresh, dried, frozen herb

Fine, hollow, green top of a very small onion

Salads, egg and cheese dishes, fish soups, sauces.

Cilantro

Leaf herb, dried or fresh

Light green aromatic leaf. Shape of flat parsley but much more pungent flavour. Leaf from coriander seed. – Spices and Herbs SL 333

Salads, salsa, sauces, soups, eggs, dressings

Cinnamon

Stick or ground spice

Aromatic bark from cinnamon or cassia tree. Reddish brown colour. Native to east India.

Preserves, stewed fruits, breads, pastries, desserts, ham, hot beverages.

Clove

Whole or ground spice

Dried flowerbud of tropical clove tree, pungent, sweet in flavour. Native to Indonesia.

Whole: Marinades, stocks, sauces, braised meats, hams, and pickling. Ground: pastries, fruits and cakes.

Coriander

Whole or ground spice

Round, light brown seed. Slightly aromatic flavour. Native to Argentina and Morocco. Seed to cilantro leaf.

Pickling, sausage, stocks, pork, curries, gingerbread, salsa, dressings. – Spices and Herbs SL 259

Cumin

Whole or ground seed, spice

Small seed resembling caraway, but lighter in colour. Grown in Mexico and Syria.

Ingredient in chili and curry powder blends. Sausage, meats, salsa, egg, and cheese dishes.

Curry

Ground blend, spice

Mixture of approx. 20 spices, peppery, yellow in colour. Includes turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, clove, cinnamon. Can vary from mild to very hot.

Curry dishes, vegetables, soups, sauces, fish, meat, rice.

Dill

Whole seed or “dill weed” which are leaves. Leaf fresh or dried.

Herb and seed with “ dill pickle” flavour. Seed more pungent than herb.

Seed: Pickling soups, sauerkraut, marinades. Herbs: Salads, soups, fish and shellfish, vegetables, sauces, vinegar.

Fennel

Whole seed

Greenish brown seed, similar in flavour to anise. Grown in S. America, Asia, and Africa.

Sausage, tomato, sauces, marinades, fish, pickling.

Fine herbes

Herb blend

Generally a bouquet blend of three or more herbs used to enhance various dishes. Finely chopped herb mixture – chives, tarragon, parsley, basil, savoury, etc. – Spices and Herbs SL 257

Herb sauce, compound butters, broiled, fish, cold sauces.

Garlic

Fresh, whole bulb. Dried: granulated powder, or mixed with salt.

Strong, aromatic member of onion family. – Spices and Herbs SL 259

Used widely in cooking.

Ginger

Spice, fresh whole, dried powder, candied, crystallized, or pickled.

Light brown knobby root from tropical plant.

Baked goods, desserts, fruits, curry dishes, pickling, chutney, Chinese, Caribbean and Japanese cuisine.

Juniper Berry

Whole spice

Slightly soft, purple berry, “Piney” flavour. Principle flavour of gin.

Marinades, game dishes, sauerkraut.

Mace

Whole “blade” or ground spice.

Made from outer covering of nutmeg. Orange red in colour. Aromatic, similar to nutmeg in flavour but milder.

Baked goods, desserts, fruits, sausage, fish, vegetables, preserves.

Marjoram

Dried herb leaf

Grey green herb from mint family. Similar to oregano but milder.

Beef, veal, lamb, sausage, pâtés, poultry, stews, soups, vegetables, salads, sauces.

Mint

Herb leaf, fresh or dried.

Aromatic herb with cool flavour. Spearmint and peppermint are most common.

Lamb, fruits, tea, fruit, beverages, peas, carrots, potatoes, jellies, soups, sauces.

Mirepoix

Flavouring mix

Mixture of vegetables, herbs and spices used to enhance the flavour of meat, fish and shellfish dishes. Common ingredients are – onion, celery, carrot, leek, garlic, peppercorns, bayleaf, clove, thyme and rosemary.

Stocks, soups, sauces, roasts.

Mustard seed

Whole and ground seed

Very pungent seed – white, yellow or brown. – Spices and Herbs SL 297

Blended w/vinegar to make prepared mustard. Pickling, sauces, salsa, Prepared: Sandwiches sauces, dressings, ham.

Nasturtium

Leaf and seed.

Plant with yellow, orange, and red flowers, with sharp casting leaves and seeds with pungent odour.

Salads, pickling, mustard.

Nutmeg

Whole or ground spice

Sweet, aromatic kernel of nutmeg fruit. Grown in Netherlands and East and West Indies.

Baked goods, pies, cream sauces, soups, chicken, veal, vegetables, desserts, breads.

Oregano

Leaf or ground herb, fresh or dried.

Pungent herb, similar to marjoram, but stronger. Native to Italy and Mexico, grown domestically.

Italian and Mexican dishes, tomato sauces, soups, sauces, stews, meats, salads, marinades.

Paprika

Ground spice

Ground from dried sweet red pepper. Spanish: Bright and mild. Hungarian: Darker and more pungent.

Asset to bland pale food. Fish, sauces, dressings, garnish.

Parsley

Fresh leaf herb in bunches. Dried.

Green leaf, curly or flat, with delicate sweet flavour. Excellent source of vitamin C.

Garnish, fried stews, sauces, salads, vegetables, potatoes.

Pepper

Whole “peppercorns” black, white, or green, cracked medium or fine ground.

Small hard berry. Black: Pungent, aromatic. White: What is left when black outer casing is removed, milder. Adds sharp tang to all foods. Green: Packed in mild brine.

Widely used with just about all foods including green in sweets.

Poppy seeds

Whole spice

Tiny blue black seeds with crunchy nut like flavour. It is a product of the opium poppy, but does not contain opium

Garnish for breads, rolls, pastry, fillings, cookies, cakes, salsa, dressings.

Rosemary

Whole leaf herb, fresh or dried.

Light green leaf resembling pine needles. Very aromatic. Once grown, very healthy and strong, even in cold weather.

Lamb, fish, beef, sauces, soups, stews, salads, marinades.

Sachet bag

Spice mix

Various spices tied in a small cheesecloth sack. – Spices and Herbs SL 252

Braised meats, game stews, pickling, soups, sauces

Saffron

Whole “threads” spice

Only the stigmas from the saffron crocus are used. Very expensive. Gives bright yellow colour to foods. Mild distinctive flavour.

Flavour and colour baked goods, rice, potatoes, soups, sauces, curry, meats.

Sage

Whole, rubbed, or ground herb leaf, fresh or dried.

Pungent grey green herb with fuzzy leaves, oblong shape.

Stuffing’s, meats, poultry, soups, stews, salads, fish.

Savory

Fresh or dried herb leaf

Fragrant herb of mint family. Summer preferred to winter.

Salads, eggs, vegetables, stuffing’s, soups, meats, fish, sauces.

Sesame

Whole (hulled or unhulled) seed

Small yellowish seed with nutty taste. High oil content. Imported from Asia, East and Central America.

Can be roasted. Bread and roll garnish, salads, oriental candy.

Tarragon

Fresh, dried, pickled herb leaf.

Delicate green herb that is both mint and licorice – like. Small oblong leaf. – Spices and Herbs SL 265

Béarnaise sauce, tarragon vinegar, chicken, fish, salads, dressings, eggs.

Thyme

Fresh or dried herb leaf, crushed or ground

Tiny brownish green leaf, very aromatic. – Spices and Herbs SL 297

Soups, chowders, stocks, sauces, meats, poultry, salads, dressing.

Turmeric

Ground spice

Intense yellow root of ginger family. Mild but peppery flavour

Curry powder, pickles, relish, salads, eggs, rice, chow – chow.

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

RICE, CEREALS & PULSES

Introduction to Indian food

MENU PLANNING