When I first began experimenting with Indian cuisine, I went to an Indian grocer for spices. I actually bought some asafoetida, but could not bear to use it. It really reeks...I just found out that another name for it is "Devil's Dung". Ha! Appropriate! It's a good thing that I didn't use it as a light hand is important when using this stuff. My experimentation could have ended with that first dish. :) Here's a link I found: