Silkrute.com is based in Yamunanagar, Haryana, India. This online store is where I source specialized spices, herbs, and products. They source items from across India and ship internationally. Plan your restocking accordingly. Shipping from India to the USA typically takes about 14 days. Visit their website for current pricing and availability. All prices are in US Dollars (USD).
Some ingredients listed in Kalustyan's are found and can be purchased from Silkrute. Free shipping on orders above $30. For better search results of products, use botanical (scientific) names and transliterated Hindi names in the search field.
The purpose of this entire topic and thread is to empower anyone outside of India to reproduce, as close to 1:1 as possible, any recipe from the referenced regional cookbooks—with viable ingredient substitutions and minimal omissions. At the very least, consider buying the ingredient(s) as once-in-a-lifetime and use it in the recipe as intended.
- Rampatri / maypatri / maipatri (wild mace / malabar mace / mugwort) [Myristica malabarica]. References: Pangat, a Feast: Food and Lore from Marathi Kitchens by Saee Koranne-Khandekar and Rare Gems: A Non-Vegetarian Gourmet Collection from Maharashtra by Aditya Mehendale, where it is sometimes referred to as "mugwort." Do not confuse this with Artemisia vulgaris, also called mugwort. The common and widely available mace (Myristica fragrans) is highly fragrant, whereas Myristica malabarica imparts an earthy, woody scent. Refer to the picture. Observe the stark difference in color and morphology—this is the easiest way to differentiate between the two. 200 g rampatri / maypatri cost $10.55 + $3.00 (Flat Rate Standard Shipping) = $13.55.
- Ramtil (niger seeds) [Guizotia abyssinica]. Used in Marathi cuisine. Reference: Rare Gems: A Non-Vegetarian Gourmet Collection from Maharashtra by Aditya Mehendale. 100 g ramtil cost $6.34 + $3.00 (Flat Rate Standard Shipping) = $9.34.
- Mawal (Kashmiri cockscomb flower) [Celosia argentea var. cristata]. Used in Kashmiri cuisine to achieve the signature crimson red color, particularly in Rogan Josh. Alternatively, commonly available locally ratanjot [Alkanna tinctoria] can be used and is a viable direct substitute. Always buy ratanjot in whole bark form, not powdered. 100 g mawal cost $6.99 + $3.00 (Flat Rate Standard Shipping) = $9.99.
- Meetha itr / meetha attar / mitha Itr (sweet, floral perfume; culinary grade). A few drops of the essential oil are added to biryanis, pulaos, and others in Awadhi, Rampuri, and Hyderabadi cuisines. The popular Deer-brand from Kolkata, West Bengal in 25-grams vial is recommended due to its floral blend of screwpine and sandalwood. Package of (2) 25-grams vials of meetha itr cost $12.91 + $3.00 (Flat Rate Standard Shipping) = $15.91.
- Kulanjan / paan ki jad (lesser galangal) [Alpinia officinarum]. Appears in the recipe for Hyderabadi Potli Ka Masala in A Princely Legacy: Hyderabadi Cuisine by Pratibha Karan. Not to be confused with the more locally available greater galangal (Alpinia galanga) at Asian (Thai) grocery stores. Refer to picture to see the differences. 100 g kulanjan / paan ki jad cost $4.80 + $3.00 (Flat Rate Standard Shipping) = $7.80.
- Kapoor kachri (spiked ginger lily) [Hedychium spicatum]. Used in Hyderabadi Potli Ka Masala in the book A Princely Legacy: Hyderabadi Cuisine by Pratibha Karan. 200 g kapoor kachri cost $8.87 + $3.00 (Flat Rate Standard Shipping) = $11.87.
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Khus ki jad (dried vetiver roots) [Chrysopogon zizanioides / Vetiveria zizanioides]. Imparts a fragrant, earthy aroma in Awadhi and Hyderabadi cuisine. Used in Hyderabadi Potli Ka Masala in the book A Princely Legacy: Hyderabadi Cuisine by Pratibha Karan. 100 g khus ki jad cost $7.19 + $3.00 (Flat Rate Standard Shipping) = $10.19.
