Dictionary (Indian to American) for Indian Food

Have you been wondering what the various Indian Food ingredients are called in English (in USA)? Well, your search ends here. Here's a list of common Indian food items translated from their original Indian (Hindi) names to their English (American) names:

(This is from Niru Gupta's excellent cookbook: Cooking the U.P. way)

 Adrak -- Fresh Ginger

 Ajwain -- Carum/ Thymol

 Amchoor -- Mango Powder

 Amiya/ Kairi -- Green Mangoes

 Amrood -- Guava

 Anjeer -- Figs

 Arbi -- Colacosia

 Arhar Daal -- Yellow Lentils

 Badaam -- Almond

 Badi Elaichi -- Black Cardamom

 Baingan -- Eggplant/ Brinjal/ Aubergine

 Bajra -- Millet

 Bathua -- Pigweed

 Besan -- Chickpea / Gram Flour

 Bhindi -- Okra/ Ladies' Fingers

 Channa Daal -- Husked Bengal Gram

 Chhilke wali Urad -- Split Black Gram

 Chhoti Elaichi -- Green Cardamoms

 Chote Tamattar -- Cherry Tomatoes

 Daal -- Lentils (Pulses)

 Dahi -- Yogurt (Curds)

 Dalchini -- Cinnamon

 Deghi Mirch -- Chilli Powder

 Dhania -- Corriander

 Dhuli Moong -- Husked Green Gram

 Dhuli Urad -- Husked Black Gram

 Frans Bean ke Beej -- Bnavy Beans/ Haricot Beans

 Frans Beans -- French Beans/ String Beans

 Gajar -- Carrots

 Genhu -- Wheat

 Ghiya/ Lauki -- Bottle Gourd/ Marrow

 Guar ki Phalli -- Green Beans

 Gulgul -- Lemon

 Gur -- Jaggery

 Haldi -- Turmeric

 Hara Pyaaz -- Spring Onions (Scallions)

 Hari Saunf -- Aniseed

 Heeng -- Asafoetida

 Imli -- Tamarind

 Jaiphal -- Nutmeg

 Jau -- Barley

 Javitri -- Mace

 Jeera -- Cumin

 Jimikand -- Yam

 Kabuli Chana -- Chickpea

 Kachnaar -- Bauhinia

 Kaddu/ Sitaphal -- Pumpkin

 Kaju -- Cashew Nuts

 Kala Channa -- Whole Bengal Gram (Horse Gram)

 Kala Namak -- Black Rock Salt

 Kala/ Shah Jeera -- Black Cumin

 Kalonji -- Nigella/ Onion Seeds

 Kamal Kakri/ Bhein -- Lotus Root

 Karaunda -- Carissa Carandas

 Karela -- Bitter Gourd

 Kathal -- Jackfruit

 Keema -- Mince Meat

 Kesar/ Zafran -- Saffron

 Kewra -- Vetiver

 Khajoor -- Dates

 Khira -- Cucumber

 Khoya -- Thickened Milk

 Khurmani -- Apricot

 Khus Khus -- Poppy Seeds

 Kishmish -- Raisins

 Lahsan -- Garlic

 Lassi -- Buttermilk

 Laung -- Cloves

 Lobhia -- Black-eyed beans

 Machchli -- Fish

 Maida -- Refined Flour

 Makhana -- Lotus Seed

 Makki ka atta -- Cornmeal

 Malai -- Clotted Cream (top of milk)

 Matar -- Green Peas

 Methi -- Fenugreek

 Misri -- Rock Sugar

 Mooli -- Radish

 Moong -- Green Gram

 Moong Phalli -- Groundnuts/ Peanuts

 Moti Kutti Lal Mirch -- Coarsely Ground Red Pepper

 Murgh -- Chicken

 Nariyal -- Coconut

 Nariyal ka Burada -- Dessicated Coconut

 Nimbu -- Sour Lime

 Nimbu ka Sat -- Citric Acid

 Palak -- Spinach

 Paneer -- Cottage Cheese

 Pattagobhi/ Bandgobhi -- Cabbage

 Phitkari -- Alum

 Phool Gobhi -- Cauliflower

 Pissi Kali Mirch -- Black Pepper Powder

 Pudina -- Mint

 Sabut Kali Mirch -- Black Peppercorns

 Sabut Masoor -- Egyptian Lentils

 Sabut Urad -- Black Gram Whole

 Safed Petha -- White Pumpkin/ Ash Ground

 Sarson -- Mustard Seeds

 Saunf -- Fennel Seeds

 Sem -- Broad Beans

 Shakarkandi -- Sweet Potato

 Simla Mirch/ Pahari Mirch -- Capsicum/ Bell Pepper

 Singhara -- Water Chestnut

 Sonth -- Dry Ginger

 Soojee -- Cream of Wheat (Semolina)

 Tej Patta -- Bay Leaves

 Til -- Sesame

 Tinda -- Round Gourd

 Torai - Rigde Gourd