This is a wonderful Indian lentil side dish. Asafetida has a very strong, musky smell that many people find unappealing. Store it in an airtight container to prevent it from contaminating your other spices, and if you really don't like the smell, keep it in the freezer--I left it in my car for a little while and everything in the car smelled like it afterward. Despite the strange smell, I have not yet met anyone who dislikes the flavor once it's prepared! This recipe comes from a cookbook called Madhur Jaffrey's Spice Kitchen. All the ingredients should be available at any Indian grocery store.