Indian cooking essentials
I will update this list from time to time !!
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NAME INDIAN NAME DESCRIPTION
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Asafoetida
Hing
Dried gum resin from the root of various Iranian and East Indian plants. Has a strong fetid odor – definitely an acquired taste. May be obtained.
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Besan
Besan
Flour of dried chick peas.
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Cardamom
Elaichi
Dried fruit of a plant. Mostly the seeds are used. Seeds of 4 pods measure approximately 1/4 t.
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Coriander
dhania
Aromatic herb of the parsley family. Sold as cilantro or chinese parsley. Also sold as seed or dry powder.
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Cumin
Jeera
Very aromatic and reminiscent. Sold whole or ground.
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Dals
Dal
Hindi name for all members of the legume or pulse family. Commonly used are: Arhar, Channa, Masur, Mung, Labia (black-eyed peas), Rajma (red kidney beans).
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Fennel Seed
Sauf
Has an agreeable odor and licorice flavor. Available whole or ground.
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Fenugreek
Methi
Has a pleasant bitter flavor and sweetish odor.
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Garam Masala
Garam Masala
A mixture of spices; details come later.
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Chat Masala
Chat Masala
A variation of Garam masala. Available in Indian stores.
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Ghee
Ghee
Fat for frying. Pure ghee is clarified butter.
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Mustard oil
Larson
Pungent oil made from black mustard seeds.
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Mint
Pudina
Aromatic herb. Fresh and dried leaves are used in the preparation of chutneys. Dried leaves are much less fragrant than the fresh ones.
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Pomegranate
Anar dana
A flavoring agent. Has some scent.
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Saffron
Kesar
Made of stigmas of a flower grown in Kashmir and Spain. It is aromatic and yields a yellow color.
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Turmeric
Haldi
An aromatic powdered root. Used as a flavoring, and for flavoring curries.
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Status Update – I got a new office room
At last I got a new office room with a BIG window. It has been quite long that I am working for 1105 Media, previously called 101 communications. I started off with a cubicle then moved to a small room beside the kitchen. I would often look at those Big room with windows and think if they are alloted by seniority or by rank?
I still dont know why I was alloted this nice room but it came as a pleasent surprise, and I am very happy. I can look through the window now and feel more creative. Hopefully my work will stand by my feelings !!
Pictures will be up soon. Till then ~ Auf wiedersehen 
Swapno
Ichhegulo ure berai
khola hawa
aar akasher gaai
Pagol mon
khoje charidhar
ek swapno apon
dana jharar pala shesh
moner sangi
diye jai notuner resh
budbuder mato
sNete thake sange
kochi swapno jato
~Biswarup
Eagled wings
There has been wind beneath those wings
for a long long time
now the wings are set free
The flapping stopped and from now on
It’s a smooth glide
eagled wing melts with the wind
It’s time to glide and leave the rest
time to glide and bring back the best
’cause it’s all about where the heart is
Born free you were, so you be
carefree you were so be it
glide and soar high, melt with the wind.
~Biswarup
Ekantoi nijer kotha
Bandhano uthoner kone shiuli gacher chaya kat hoye pore
oi shiuli gachta ki aajo phool dei?
ajo ki keu shei uthoner deoale chute berai
Laal joler balti niye thakurer jal bhorte jaoa
oi jaler office e
shirir niche jhulan puja, ghar nara matir dadu
ekhono bodhhoi eki ache !
chokh bujlei dekhi montuda ekhono chop bheje choleche
aar majhe majhei mone pore shiuli gachta
ajo ki phool dei?
Shiuli Phool
Biswarup ~
Gota ekta gaan
gaaner prothomta peyechilam sobuj-halud ek jhora patai
swaralipi somet
bahu khujechi bakita, athoba
khojar bhan kore ga vasiye diyechi
nil jal-e, akashe, achin pahare, doore
besh cholchilo emon korei
hatat kane gungun, vese othe ochena sur, abcha shabdo
mone hoi eito peyechi !!
jure dilei hobe poorna
veshe uthbe gota ekta gaan
tarpor abar cheye thaki, onnokono gaan-pata jhorar ashai
athoba chetonai kono abadhya surer anuprobesher !!
Biswarup ~