Metric measurements:

* 1  kilogram or “kilo” is about 2.2 pounds
* 1  liter is about the same as a quart
* 1 kilometer is .66 miles

Viande – meat – usually beef (boeuf) but can be mouton (sheep)

Viande hache – ground beef

Filet – a large piece of boneless meat (makes good BBQ beef)
Roti – roas

Steak – If you order ‘steak’ at the butcher counter he will cut the beef into ‘minute steaks’ and pound them for you.
Entrecote – rib steak

Veau – veal

Poulet – chicken

Poulet fume – smoked chicken

Dinde – turkey

Mouton – sheep

Porc – pork

Jambon – ham

Jambon fume – smoked ham

Poisson – fish

Capitaine – a locally caught, mild fish

There are many kinds of cheese (fromage) to choose from including:

Emmental – a cheese similar to Swiss cheese.

Gouda & Edam – mild, light colored cheeses that are used a lot by missionaries in recipes.

Mimolette – an orange, cheddar-looking cheese that is also nice for grated cheese in Mexican food recipes.

Parmesan – you can buy it by the chunk or freshly grated but be prepared to pay very well for it.

Fromage Blanc – “white cheese” – this is like cream cheese.  Also sold in squares as Kiri.  It takes about 11 Kiri squares to equal 8 oz. of American cream cheese.

La Vache Qui Ri – “The Cow Who Laughs” – a cheese spread – it is sometimes found in the U. S.A. where it is called “Laughing Cow Cheese”.

Yaourt – yogurt – found in many flavor varieties.  Some missionaries make their own.  It makes a great substitute in recipes when sour cream is not available.  Add 1 Tbs. of vinegar per 1 cup of plain, unflavored yogurt.

Lait – milk- it is sold by the carton as ‘shelf-life’ or U.H.T. (ultra heat treated) milk, by the can or box as powdered, by the pouch as “lait frais” or fresh milk, or you can buy it straight from a Fulani person direct from the cow (you need to pasturize it before drinking).  If you need buttermilk for a recipe just add 1Tbs. of vinegar per 1 cup of milk.
Oeufs – eggs – sold seperately – you buy as few or many as you want.

Beurre – butter

The price of meat and cheese is usually marked per ‘kilo’.  If you want ½ kilo or about 1 pound then you say “demi kilo” when you place your order.  If you want ¼ kilo (about ½ pound) then you say “quart kilo” (pronounced like “car”).

If you want something sliced (like ham for sandwich meat or cheese) you say “en tranche”.  If you just want a big piece, not sliced, then you say “un morceau” (pronounced mor-so).

Common items

Jus – juice

Pomme – apple

Anana – pineapple

Fraise – strawberry

Raisin – grape

Orange – orange

Concombre – cucumber

Riz – rice

Legume de Saison – veggies of the season

Carotte – carrot

Frites – fried or French fries

Champignon – (literally: fungus) mushrooms

Citron – lemon

Citron Vert – lime

Salade – lettuce

Tomate – tomato

Banan – banana

Pomme du terre – potato

Haricot vert – green beans

Eau – water (like “oh”)

Brochette – like a shish-k-bob

C’est tout – (like “say two”) that’s everything, what you can say when you have finished ordering.

Ca va – It’s fine, that’s fine

Merci – Thank you

S’il vous plait – please

Bien cuit – well done or well cooked

Bonne Journee – Have a good day

Bon appetit – enjoy your meal

Ici – (like “E. C. “) here

Ca – that