Jahez of Spices

I rarely cooked before getting married. So, when it came time to get married, I was pretty nervous about this whole cooking business. I knew my husband was accustomed to having traditional Hyderabadi meals regularly and had no skills whatsoever in the kitchen.  So how was I going to keep us from going hungry? We could just survive on pizza and pasta for life, right? 

Soon after I got married and was packing up to leave my home for my 'new' home, I saw my mom hastily packing spices in the kitchen. I went in to see what she was doing, only to find out that was making my 'jahez' of spices. You might have heard of mothers giving new clothes or jewelry to their daughters upon marriage. Well, these were going to be my spices that I will need in order to start cooking. This definitely scared me a bit, but happily faced the introduction to my new collection of spices and so began my culinary adventures. So here today, I have my introduction to spices for you all! 

Lal Mirch-Red Pepper Powder
Haldi-Turmeric
Zeera-Cumin
Dhaniya-Coriander
Phalli-Peanuts
Thil-Sesame Seeds
Khopra-Grated/Powdered Coconut
Bagaar Ki Mirch-Dried Whole Red Peppers
Rye-Black Mustard Seeds
Khash Khash-Poppy Seeds
Dalchini-Cinnamon Sticks(Flat)
Shah Zeera-Carraway Seeds
Laung-Whole Cloves
Elaichi-Cardamom
Kaali Mirch-Whole Black Pepper
Kalaunji-Black Seeds (not pictured)
Kabab Chinni-Cubeb (not  pictured)