How important is asafoetida?

EastMidsGal

I have eaten khaman dhokla in restaurants before and absolutely love it. I found a khaman dhokla mix in an indian supermarket and have all the required ingredients apart from asafoetida. Are there any Indian cooks out there who know whether the asafoetida is essential and if I can get away without using it as there is nowhere near where I live where I can pick some up specially, it would require a long journey.

Thanks

zippychick

Eastmids - I can't answer your question exactly, but Ill check my curry bible to see what the explanation of it is - funny, i've mentioned this spice on here before! What quantity is it asking for?

zippychick

Right my book says its used for its digestive properties and for the much gentler , garlic like aroma left behind after cooking. If it was me - I would porbably leave it out and add a bit more garlic.... and hope for the best! I am pretty sure it's added in very small quantities (is in any recipe I've seen it in) so i would hazard you would be ok without it.

Would be really interested to see someone who "knows" answer though. That's me with my "fingers crossed and hope for the best approach"

Debt_Free_Chick

You should get some - most Indian supermarkets sell it. It may be labelled as "hing" instead.

IMHO it adds a flavour you can't get from any other ingredient. I warn you though... it honks! But ignore the smell and "taste the difference" It's gorgeous!

EastMidsGal

Thank you both so much. In the end I didn't attempt to make the snacks as a friend came over and I got busy doing other things. I used to have asafoetida ages ago but I never used it so I threw it away. These snacks are so good though and now I have found a ready mix I am sure I will be making them regularly so shall get some more.

babs2008

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

You should get some - most Indian supermarkets sell it. It may be labelled as "hing" instead.

IMHO it adds a flavour you can't get from any other ingredient. I warn you though... it honks! But ignore the smell and "taste the difference" It's gorgeous!

I got some from tesco - schwartz (sp?) brand. It doesn't "honk" (just went to have a sniff). In fact I don't mind the smell - a bit like spring onion, garlic, celery mixed.

I didn't find that it made a lot of difference in my food. I think I overpower it with all my other spices though.

zippychick

Must look for it in tesco then. I have a mild obsession with things like this

OH! Ebay has the answer ! And again

babs2008

Also £1.59 for 52g in Tesco.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Or about 55p in a proper shop.