Asafoetida, commonly known as “hing” in Indian cuisine, is a potent spice derived from the resin of the Ferula plant. Despite its strong, pungent fragrance when raw, asafoetida transforms during cooking to impart a unique, savoury flavour that enhances various dishes.
Renowned for its culinary versatility and distinctive taste, this spice is also celebrated for its impressive health benefits, including aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and offering antimicrobial properties.
It is widely used in Indian, Persian, and Middle Eastern cuisines, asafoetida is a staple that enriches both the flavour and nutritional value of meals, especially when you buy hing of premium quality and well-known brands from Aap Ka Bazar® application at up to 50% off.
Aap Ka Bazar® is a grocery website/app/store(s) that has 40+ years of experience in obtaining, pre-sorting, packing, and delivering spices and condiments in the whole of Delhi & NCR. So, let’s explore the health benefits of Asafoetida and how they can be incorporated into Delhi’s daily meals.
HEALTH BENEFITS:
Here are some of the key health benefits of hing:
- Digestive Aid: Hing is widely known for its ability to improve digestion. It helps in reducing bloating, gas, and indigestion. Asafoetida stimulates the release of digestive enzymes, aiding in the breakdown of food.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: Asafoetida contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation. This can be beneficial for conditions like arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Antimicrobial Effects: Asafoetida has natural antimicrobial properties that can help fight off bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This contributes to overall health and boosts the immune system.
- Respiratory Health: Hing helps relieve respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough. Its anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties help in clearing mucus and easing breathing.
- Pain Relief: Traditionally, asafoetida has been used to relieve various types of pain, including stomach pain, headaches, and toothaches, due to its analgesic properties.
- Blood Pressure Regulation: Asafoetida contains coumarins, which help in thinning the blood and improving blood flow. This can contribute to lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of blood clots.
- Menstrual Relief: Hing has been used in traditional medicine to alleviate menstrual pain and irregularities. It helps in easing cramps and other discomforts associated with menstruation. It is incorporated in medicinal teas to soothe pain and relax muscles relieving cramps.
- Antioxidant Properties: Rich in antioxidants, asafoetida helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This can potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases and slow down the aging process.
- Anti-flatulent: Hing is particularly effective in reducing flatulence. It helps in expelling gas from the intestines, providing relief from discomfort.
- Improves Libido: Asafoetida is believed to have aphrodisiac properties and can help improve libido and sexual health.
- Menstrual Relief: It has been used in traditional medicine to alleviate menstrual pain and irregularities.
By incorporating hing into your diet, you can leverage its numerous health benefits while enhancing the flavour of your meals. Whether used in tempering(tadka), curry preparation, or pickling, asafoetida is a valuable addition to any kitchen.
CULINARY USES:
- Flavour Enhancer: Asafoetida is often used in minute quantities to add depth and umami to vegetarian and lentil dishes. It is particularly popular in Indian cuisine, where it complements dishes like dal (lentil soup), sambar, and various vegetable curries.
To follow this recipe, buy Ramdev super hing which has a super strong flavour but is available at 50% off on the Aap Ka Bazar® application.
- Digestive Aid: Often included in recipes for legumes and beans, asafoetida helps reduce the gas and bloating associated with these foods, making them easier to digest.
For this recipe and after-meal digestion, choose Patanjali hing which is a bandhani hing, considered the best asafoetida for Indian cuisine and is available in just ₹28 on the Aap Ka Bazar® application.
- Pickles and Chutneys: Asafoetida is used in pickles and chutneys to provide a distinct flavour and aid in preservation.
For the traditional pickling method, you may get Everest hing powder which is considered the Hingraj because it is scientifically graded, hygienically ground, air-sealed packed, and has no added artificial color, available at Aap Ka Bazar® application.
- Spice Blends: Asafoetida is a key ingredient in several spice blends like chat masala and rasam powder, contributing to their characteristic taste.
Do you wanna try rasam at home? Buy Rasam powder from MTR brand which is an instant solution for restaurants like rasam at home, simply cook it with water and enjoy it with your family in just ₹170 through the Aap Ka Bazar® application.
HOW to USED in INDIAN CUISINE:
Asafoetida, or hing, is a staple spice in Indian cooking, known for its strong aroma and ability to enhance flavours. Here are various ways hing is used in Indian cuisine:
- Tadka (Tempering): One of the most common uses of hing in Indian cooking is in tempering. A small pinch of hing is added to any cooking oil along with other spices like mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves. This tempering is then poured over dals (lentil soups), curries, and vegetable dishes to add a depth of flavour but remember…
This recipe will get 5-star ratings if you use desi ghee as a cooking oil because desi ghee has a different aromatic flavour which makes dal tadka tastier, Desi ghee is available at the Aap Ka Bazar® application with a buy 1 get 1 free offer.
- Dal (Lentil Soup): Hing is often added to various dal preparations. It is usually added during the tempering process to enhance the flavour and aid digestion but remember…
Aap Ka Bazar suggests you, always choose nonpolished premium quality lentils and never pay more than ₹170 for any lentils brand because they may charge higher than market price. You can be shopped from the Aap Ka Bazar® application which gives one of the best quality pulses like Lobiya 1kg ₹130, Chana dal 1kg ₹89, Arhar dal 1kg ₹179, Urad dal 1kg ₹159, Moong dal 1kg ₹139, Black chane 1kg ₹89, Rajma 1kg ₹139, Malka dal 1kg ₹89, Kali dal 1kg ₹89, etc,.
- Curries and Gravies: Hing is used in many vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries to add a subtle umami flavour. It pairs well with garlic, ginger, and other spices like jeera masala, dhania masala, and haldi masala.
All mentioned spices are available at the Aap Ka Bazar® application with up to 41% off deals and on-time home delivery across Delhi.
- Sambhar and Rasam: In South Indian cuisine, hing is an essential ingredient in dishes like sambhar (a lentil-based vegetable stew) and rasam (a tangy soup). It is typically added during the tempering stage.
For this recipe, you may choose AKB’s own bandhani hing which is delivered freshly packed and with a 25% off offer because it is Aap KA Bazar’s in-house brand.
- Pickles and Chutneys: Hing is used in pickles and chutneys to add flavour and act as a preservative. It is often combined with spices like sarso beej, methi dana, and lal mirch powder.
If you don’t want to prepare this time-consuming recipe at home, so you may buy homemade achaar from the Daadi-Naani brand which tastes the same as ghar ka achaar and is available with a buy1 get 1 free offer on the Aap Ka Bazar® application.
- Vegetable Stir-fries: Adding a pinch of hing to vegetable stir-fries like bhindi (okra), aloo gobi (potato and cauliflower), and baingan bharta (smoked eggplant mash) enhances their flavour.
Or simply choose Sabji masala from the Aap Ka Bazar® application which has a blend of Indian spices including asafoetida and is available in just ₹36.
- Snack Foods: Hing is used in a variety of Indian snacks, such as namkeens (savoury snacks), bhajis (fritters), and pakoras (vegetable fritters). It is mixed into the batter or dough to add flavour.
Want to buy packed snacks with the goodness of asafoetida? Click Gujrati namkeen and enjoy a real traditional taste anytime anywhere with a 50% discount, offered by the Aap Ka Bazar® application.
- Spice Blends: Hing is a key ingredient in several Indian spice blends like chunky chat masala, sambhar powder, and rasam mix. These blends can be used to season a wide variety of dishes which are all available at discounted prices on Aap Ka Bazar®.
To get a ready-made and well-ground Madras masala, order Sambar powder from the Aap Ka Bazar® application which would be delivered in just ₹66 in a 100g tin pack.
- Flatbreads: Hing can be added to the dough of flatbreads like parathas and theplas to enhance their flavour.
For this recipe, simply choose MDH hing, a fine powder containing 30% asafoetida resin, along with rice flour or maida (white wheat flour) and gum Arabic. It is available in just ₹99 at the Aap Ka Bazar® application.
- Legume and Bean Dishes: Hing is particularly useful in dishes that use legumes and beans, as it helps in reducing gas and bloating. It is commonly added to dishes like chole (chickpea curry) and rajma (kidney bean curry).
For after-meal digestion, chew hing peda of the Patanjali brand which is considered an ayurvedic medicine for stomach-related problems and available in just ₹67 on the Aap Ka Bazar® application.
- Yogurt-based Dishes: Hing is used in raitas (yogurt-based salads) and kadhi (yogurt-based curry) to add a subtle, savoury note.
Asafoetida is a unique spice that offers more than just a distinctive flavour to culinary dishes. Its extensive health benefits, ranging from digestive aid to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, make it a valuable addition to any diet.
By incorporating asafoetida into your cooking, you can enhance both the taste of your meals and your overall health.
By adding this versatile spice to your meals, you can enhance both the flavour of your dishes and your overall well-being at up to 24% off in the whole of Delhi and NCR, because there is a monthly grocery app named Aap Ka Bazar® with good quality Asafoetida and more 28,000+ products including pulses, grains, rice, spices, ready-to-serve meal options, ready-to-eat snacks, ready-to-cook food, beverages, organic edibles, toiletries, cosmetics, and more.
Simply download the Aap Ka Bazar® app or visit your nearest AKB store(s) for a healthy walk #YahaSabMilega
