Recipes Asafoetida

[Pete Thomas]

I was going to mention this in the Curry thread but I think this noble yet somehow pungent spice deserves its own topic for those (a) in the know and (b) for those year to discover its delights.

Apparently known colloquially by the French as merde du Diable. But are they the experts on culinary delight? No, don't answer that one.

Are you (a) or (b).

 

[Jules]

A Bangladeshi friend f mine insisted I got some for use in meat curries. While I was horrified by its pong when I opened the tub, I will admit- once cooked down it does add to the authenticity of a lamb or goat curry. I’ve still got a tub of it- stuck in a ziplock bag, it gets let out occasionally, though the majority of curries these days tend to be vegetation

 

[Pete Thomas]

I’ve still got a tub of it- stuck in a ziplock bag, it gets let out occasionally, though the majority of curries these days tend to be vegetation

I use it with Daal - it seems to be fine with veg dishes.

 

[Jules]

I use it with Daal - it seems to be fine with veg dishes.

It scares me so much I've never felt like getting too experimental with it

 

[Tenor Viol]

Way back in the dark ages of Graham Kerr and the Galloping Gourmet (1970s?) he hopped over to the US from the UK and did cookery programmes over there, which appeared on random satellite channels over here in the early days of Sky. I'm talking early 90s. He had an entire series in which just about every recipe had that in it. I've always been curious as to why no other TV cookery programme ever mentions it. It also doe snot appear in any of my numerous cookery books.

 

[thomsax]

Now I know. Maybe I shall try it next time I' m cooking?

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/n689eExWgV0?si=oPn7neKqNB5BwfLT

 

[Pete Thomas]

I just use it instead of onions. I love tan it saves me the bother of peeling and cutting them. But also I think I prefer the taste but maybe should do a comparison identical dishes with and without. And both!

 

[Targa]

Now I know. Maybe I shall try it next time I' m cooking?

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/n689eExWgV0?si=oPn7neKqNB5BwfLT

That reminded me of this:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctv0x3jWQM8

 

[turf3]

When my stepfather was a boy they used to wear a bag of it around their necks when they went to school in winter to ward off colds.

 

[Woodpad]

The Dutch name duivelsdrek needs some marketing.

 

[jonf]

Apparently known colloquially by the French as merde du Diable.

@Woodpad, my Dutch isn't as good as my French but I think the Dutch name means the same thing?

 

[saxyjt]

Apparently known colloquially by the French as merde du Diable. But are they the experts on culinary delight? No, don't answer that one.

I must admit that I have never heard of this in any form or language but I can imagine why it's controversial.

Smell dictates how we perceive many things. It's also vastly cultural. In France we adore some cheese that are disturbingly smelly. And difference between one that passes and another that doesn't can be difficult to explain.

No later than thus morning I had to dispose of a trash bag where my sister dumped a cheese that was past it's glorious days... She warned me before leaving though.

But the nickname 'merde du diable' tends to steer me away from this ingredient.

Bug we're not big on Curry like you are. So it's not something we're going to miss.

 

[Pete Thomas]

When my stepfather was a boy they used to wear a bag of it around their necks when they went to school in winter to ward off colds.

You sure it wasn't to ward off girls? (Something less likely post puberty of course)

 

[Woodpad]

@Woodpad, my Dutch isn't as good as my French but I think the Dutch name means the same thing?

Yes, but the Dutch name sounds more gruesome.

 

[Targa]

You sure it wasn't to ward off girls? (Something less likely post puberty of course)

Could have been to ward off Herbert?

 

[Veggie Dave]

But the nickname 'merde du diable' tends to steer me away from this ingredient.

Compared to Maroilles, asafoetida has no aroma at all. 😉

 

[Pete Thomas]

my Dutch isn't as good as my French but I think the Dutch name means the same thing?

I think it has that nickname in most languages

 

[saxyjt]

Compared to Maroilles, asafoetida has no aroma at all. 😉

Now you're talking aroma. I agree Maroilles is full of it. Ah, un Welsh au Maroilles !

I'm just not in the right place right now. About 900km south, but it has it's compensations...

 

[Jimmymack]

I’m b, I’ve heard of it but didn’t know of its qualities. As I’m not that much of a curry fan, it’s alright from time to time, I think I’ll spare us the experience. But I’m happy for you.

 

[Targa]

I've just been putting a couple of jars of spices on the rack and saw one of asafoetida on the top shelf, never noticed it before.
I'll have to ask if I've had any of it, with having no sense of smell and almost no sense of taste I wouldn't know.