Hing

[RubyDoo]

Asafoetida etc etc.

Trying to get my head around this one. The only times a recipe ( or base recipe ) asks for this it only needs a pinch. I had a small jar that had been sitting in the back of the cupboard for around 6 years. So I did the sensible thing and replaced it but could only get Top op 500g tub. Not expensive but even if I use in base I can see this tub being around for 16 not 6 years.

The thing is I am struggling to appreciate what contribution this stuff makes to any recipe. In or out I am not noticing any appreciable difference.

Thoughts?

[DalPuri]

Take a portion of gravy, divide into 2 pans. Add

[RubyDoo]

Take a portion of gravy, divide into 2 pans. Add

[DalPuri]

Take a portion of gravy, divide into 2 pans. Add

[Secret Santa]

If you've got a 500g tub it's going to be almost all turmeric and other unwanted fillers. You really need to use the resin to get the real taste of hing. The best powdered hing I've used is from Bart's spices. It comes in a small jar which contains three little tubs of hing powder. It's about the purest form I've found outside of the resin.

[RubyDoo]

DP You have lost me on this one. What will happen if I do as you suggest? Or do you really want me to waste a couple of portions to find out ? 

SS , Have read this somewhere before re different grades / types. Almost like an over cut opium based product. ( professional experience not personal ).

[Salvador Dhali]

It's doubtful that the 500g tub is the full-on, concentrated, pure form of hing, RD (that comes in much, much smaller quantities, as it's so intense that just a pinch is most definitely all you need).

I'm guessing that it's more akin to the Natco hing I've got sitting alongside the wee jar of pungent stuff. If so, then it has other ingredients added (Gum Arabic, Ground Rice, Turmeric) and isn't anywhere near as strong.

When a recipe calls for a pinch of hing, I use half to one teaspoon of the Natco.

The contribution it makes is that as it cooks its pungency diminishes and it takes on an onion/garlic flavour hit. It's aslo supposed to be extremely good for the digestion, and makes you impossibly attractive to women.

(I may have made the bit about women up...  )

[RubyDoo]

It's doubtful that the 500g tub is the full-on, concentrated, pure form of hing, RD (that comes in much, much smaller quantities, as it's so intense that just a pinch is most definitely all you need).

I'm guessing that it's more akin to the Natco hing I've got sitting alongside the wee jar of pungent stuff. If so, then it has other ingredients added (Gum Arabic, Ground Rice, Turmeric) and isn't anywhere near as strong.

When a recipe calls for a pinch of hing, I use half to one teaspoon of the Natco.

The contribution it makes is that as it cooks its pungency diminishes and it takes on an onion/garlic flavour hit. It's aslo supposed to be extremely good for the digestion, and makes you impossibly attractive to women.

(I may have made the bit about women up...  )

Ingredients
Rice flour
Gum edible
Asafoetida
Turmeric

Sums it up

Do I still become irresistible to women?

[DalPuri]

DP You have lost me on this one. What will happen if I do as you suggest? Or do you really want me to waste a couple of portions to find out ? 

I thought you was asking me to do the experiment!   
It was just a suggestion to see what you think it adds, which is a onion/garlic flavour.
Doing side by sides on a small scale is the best way to go.

I use the small yellow tubs when cooking trad dishes.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice a little gravy for the cause.   

[RubyDoo]

DP You have lost me on this one. What will happen if I do as you suggest? Or do you really want me to waste a couple of portions to find out ? 

I thought you was asking me to do the experiment!   
It was just a suggestion to see what you think it adds, which is a onion/garlic flavour.
Doing side by sides on a small scale is the best way to go.

I use the small yellow tubs when cooking trad dishes.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice a little gravy for the cause.   

Apologies, I thought the result may have been a thickening of base or an attack by the goddess of spice and her lovely daughters.