Add hing (asafoetida) to your meals for better digestion
What's the story
Hing (asafoetida), with its pungent aroma and health benefits, holds a special place in Indian kitchens.
Adding hing to your breakfast can kickstart your digestion, helping you avoid bloating and discomfort throughout the day.
This article features a selection of Indian breakfast dishes spiced with hing.
These meals are not only tasty but also beneficial for your digestive system.
Oatmeal Twist
Savory hing oatmeal
Who said oatmeal has to be sweet? A savory twist with hing, turmeric, and cumin turns it into a warm Indian breakfast.
Just cook your oats in water or veggie broth, and add a pinch of hing while cooking.
Top it off with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice for added zing.
This meal pairs the gut-friendly oats with hing's bloat-busting benefits.
Fermented delight
Hing-flavored idli
Idli being a fermented food, is a gut-health superstar.
To further amplify its digestive benefits, a pinch of hing is added to the batter before steaming.
Served with coconut chutney or sambar, these fluffy idlis make for a satisfying South Indian breakfast.
It's light on the stomach and can help alleviate bloating.
Poha perfection
Spicy hing poha
Poha, a beloved breakfast staple made from flattened rice, is light on the stomach while being deliciously satisfying.
To enhance its digestibility, temper mustard seeds, curry leaves, turmeric, and a generous pinch of hing in oil before adding soaked poha to the pan.
This secret ingredient not only boosts flavor but also aids in digestion, keeping you comfortable all day.
Paratha power
Hing infused parathas
Parathas are the ultimate customizable flatbread - stuff them, flavor them, make them your own.
For a digestive boost, knead finely chopped veggies (think spinach or methi/fenugreek leaves) and ground spices (turmeric, jeera/cumin powder, and a pinch of hing) into your dough before rolling out and sizzling these beauties on a hot tawa.
Pair with a side of dahi or pickle for extra probiotic power. Enjoy!
Chutney charm
Digestive hing chutney
Every Indian breakfast deserves a side of chutney.
A mint or coriander chutney, spiced up with some ginger garlic paste, roasted ground cumin, and a pinch of asafoetida powder, is perfect.
It doesn't just bring a refreshing kick to your meal; it also helps kickstart your digestion for the day.