Use whole lemongrass in stews and curries (remember to fish it out before serving). It can be used to repel internal parasites and ease a stomach ache. Due to its antioxidant properties, it is very effective in slowing down the cell … With lemongrass, very little is wasted. These are old and probably not that fragrant or nutritious any longer. If you’re a big tea-drinker, you’ve probably tried lemongrass tea at some point. In manufacturing, lemongrass is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. For example, lemongrass leaves are commonly used as "lemon" flavoring in herbal teas. For something even more unique, try a Thai carrot soup that includes that great combination of ginger and lemongrass. The Healing Elements Balm is the ONLY product I use to moisturize my face. Or, pound it for a minute or two with a pestle and mortar. It is prevalent in the semi-temperate and tropical regions of Asian, American and African continents. It's common in Asian foods and found most often in Thai cuisine. Earning a full-time income while working from home part-time was a goal of ours and we are so blessed to have Lemongrass Spa Products as the vehicle that is allowing us to do fulfill this dream. Now it should be fairly easy to cut up the lemongrass. Avoid purchasing stalks that are loose and coming apart as well as stalks that are brown and crusty or crumbling. Lemongrass has a cooling energy which helps to soothe your stomach and keeps your digestive functions in check. It has antioxidant properties. You can find fresh lemongrass in most Asian food and grocery stores. You can opt-out at any time. The Spruce Eats / Julie Bang. It is said to enhance digestion, and boost the immune system. The lemongrass lamb chop recipe is one you won't want to pass up. It's possible to use the lemongrass slices as they are, but the thicker slices will be difficult to eat and your guests will end up spitting them out. If you can't find lemongrass with the fresh produce, check the freezer section. The obvious first use for lemongrass is to make some killer Thai food, and by all means, only a fool would stand in the way of that. Thai chicken noodle soup with lemongrass recipe. It's also relatively easy to grow in a home herb garden and is a nice plant for containers. Please allow lemongrass to (re)introduce itself. Do the same for the other stalks, depending on how many stalks or tablespoons of prepared lemongrass the recipe calls for. garlic, lemon grass, water, coconut oil, red onion, coconut vinegar and 6 more Christmas Log with Lemon Cream and Lemongrass Meringues On dine chez Nanou lime, granulated sugar, butter, eggs, gelatin powder, egg whites and 11 more Generally speaking, about one teaspoon of lemongrass leaves per cup of boiling water is a good ratio. Use a sharp serrated knife to slice off the lower bulb. Lemongrass can also be nice with beef, pork, or lamb. If you cut about 2 inches from the end, you should be able to remove the whole bulb, plus a little more. The oil can also be taken internally, which makes lemongrass quite popular in the food industry for baked goods, gums, and candies. Since it is rather fibrous and can even be woody, it's best when finely minced. Commercially available herbal tea blends that contain lemongrass include Mighty Leaf's Ginger Twist, Rishi Tea's Turmeric Ginger Chai, and Good Earth's Ginseng Green Tea. But while it can impart a bright flavor to any meal, this stalky plant can be more than a little intimidating to use if you don't know how to break it down. This herb has a pungent lemony, herbaceous, and sweetly floral flavor that works well with both sweet and savory foods and beverages. Because lemongrass freezes well, it is often sold in frozen packets of about six to eight stalks. In … You can also make your own herbal tea blends at home. It is typically sold fresh, but it's also available dried and powdered. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Darlene Schmidt is a cookbook author and culinary teacher who specializes in Thai cuisine. Lemongrass is gaining some notoriety in adult beverages as well. Have fun with it, either using a chilled lemongrass tea or muddling it with other ingredients. Just keep in mind that the citrus won't be able to fully take the place of the flavor of lemongrass. ... To make the paste, you can use a food processor, but the flavor is much better if you use a mortar and pestle. Lemongrass also adds an excellent flavor to sauces. Green Curry Paste. Lemongrass is an herb from Southeast Asia and that grows in tropical climates. Get … Similar to bay leaves, if you use larger pieces, remove them before serving. As the name indicates, it has a strong lemony flavor that is often used to complement Thai … From the white wine and lemongrass sauce used for mussels to a simple lemongrass-ginger sauce for your favorite seafood or fish, it's sure to give your dish a great zing. You can use the smashed stalks to infuse custards, ice cream, and sorbet, or you can grind lemongrass in a food processor and … Simply make several superficial cuts along the length of the stalk with your serrated knife. Try it in recipes like roasted lemongrass chicken, which has a sweet lime sauce, or the zesty Thai lemon-lime shrimp. It is particularly associated with Thai and South East Asian cooking. When cooking with lemongrass, you can use fresh, dried, or powdered leaves. Some people say that its aroma is reminiscent of citronella. Another Thai favorite is a traditional satay. The Spruce Eats uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. This is no coincidence because the two plants are closely related. In food and beverages, lemongrass is used as a flavoring. One of the most common ways to use lemongrass is in tisanes, which are often called herbal teas. Iced lemongrass tea is delicious with peach nectar or sliced cucumber as well. It is usually located with the other fresh produce and is often sold in bundles of two or three stalks. Allrecipes has more than 80 trusted lemongrass recipes complete with ratings, reviews and cooking tips. Fresh or dried lemongrass can be steeped or boiled to make an herbal infusion or decoction. In food and beverages, lemongrass is used as a flavoring. The Soho cocktail, for instance, combines the herb with ginger, mint, gin, and ginger ale. If you are using ground lemongrass powder, make sure that you use 1 teaspoon ground for 1 stalk of fresh lemongrass. The lemongrass plant is often used to extract essential oil to be used in perfumes, detergents, soaps, etc. Use the lemongrass immediately, or store lemongrass by freezing it in a sealed container in your freezer. Chef Katie Chin demonstrates how to prepare Lemon Grass for using in sauces, soups and stir fry to get that amazing flavor. Antioxidants help your body fight off free radicals that damage … Benefits of Lemongrass While it adds a delicious lemon flavor to tea, that is not all it does. This will release the fragrance and flavor. One of the most authentic recipes uses a marinade that is dominated by lemongrass before the skewered meat is grilled to perfection then dipped in a peanut sauce. The Thai chicken noodle soup with lemongrass recipe also uses coconut milk and is an interesting twist on a favorite soup. It is particularly popular in green tea blends. Healthy Cells. It is popular in many Asian cuisines and adds an intriguing flavor to soups and stews. Use 3 to 4 tablespoons of the Panang curry paste in your curry depending on how spicy you like it. Use your processed lemongrass to create wonderful Thai soups or dishes, such as: If you can't find lemongrass or are in a bind, you can substitute lemon or lime juice in its place. The upper end the stalk will be mostly green and woody but is still useful in cooking soups and curries. Stop slicing when you have cut two-thirds of the way up the stalk, or when it is no longer yellow and fleshy. When buying fresh lemongrass, look for stalks that are fragrant, tightly formed, and of a lemony-green color on the lower stalk (near the bulb), then turning to a truer green at the end of the stalk. When cooking with lemongrass, you can use fresh, dried, or powdered leaves. Find Lemongrass ideas, recipes & cooking techniques for all levels from Bon Appétit, where food and culture meet. It is now ready to use in recipes such as curries or soups. Chop and use to make marinades and soups or add to stir-fries. What you will uncover is a pale yellow stalk that is softer and easier to slice. Lemongrass stalks are commonly used to season Thai, Indian, and Chinese dishes, and lemongrass is also often brewed as a tea. The lemongrass iced tea and lemongrass-ginger iced tea are great recipes to start with. Lemongrass is a very nice complement to chicken and seafood. Benefits, Uses, & Recipes, The 8 Best Tea Subscription Boxes of 2021, What Is Black Tea? Lemongrass is a popular herb for cooking and it is used in a wide range of food recipes. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a shrub-like herb with a distinct lemon aroma and flavor. There are a number of cocktail recipes that play off its pungent flavor. Lemongrass is a tropical variety of grass with a sweet, lemony scent. Lemongrass is also used in making vitamin A and natural citral. Dried or fresh lemongrass is commonly used to make herbal teas and other drinks. Lemongrass and Its Many Uses in Food and Drinks. A versatile herb that can be used in all kinds of recipes, from marinades to curries and cocktails to stir-fries, lemongrass has a deep citrusy aroma that can typically be found in Thai cooking and other Asian cuisines. Your lemongrass should now appear finer—almost like yellow-green flakes. Lemongrass may be utilized in the following ways: Cooking: Lemongrass is used in Asian cuisines to add a zesty lemon flavor and aroma and is especially popular in Thai dishes. Once you have your lemongrass, the next step is to prepare it. At times, you might even find it in Americanized masala chai spice mixtures, especially those that include plenty of ginger. You can use the upper, reserved stalk to add even more flavor and fragrance to soups and curries. Interestingly enough, in Kerala, India, the name for lemongrass translates to "dried ginger coffee.". Lemon grass is a tropical grass with a lemony scent and taste that's used in cooking. Fresh lemongrass stems can even be used as a natural straw or stir stick for your drinks. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Its use in food is both for flavor and for the plant’s health benefits. Starting from the lower end (where the bulb was), make thin slices of up to two-thirds of the stalk. It is commonly used to alleviate colds and congestion and some people compare it to ginger in this regard. According to a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and … Lemongrass is antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial. Lemongrass essential oil also has a history of use as a natural food preservative due to its inherent antimicrobial activities. Heather Stapleton, Sr. Executive Director, Florida. Because lemongrass is so firm and fibrous, it helps to process the slices a little further. Dried or fresh lemongrass is commonly used to make herbal teas and other drinks. It’s a … For more details, see our, Kaktusfactory / Ninprapha Lippert / Getty Images, Thai Chicken Soup With Coconut Milk (Tom Ka Gai), Make Tom Khaa, Easy Tom Yum Soup with Coconut Milk, Jackfruit Curry With Bell Peppers, Cashews, and Lime Leaf. Lemongrass is lovely in desserts as well. Combined with coconut milk, this is the base for your next Thai curry. Cymbopogon flexuosus Ingredients: Pure lemongrass oil Aroma: Strong, lemon-like Benefits: Purifying, stimulating, cleansing Extraction Method: Steam Distilled from plant's leaves Note: Dropper insert is not included with the 4 ounce size bottle Physical Characteristics: Specific Gravity: 0.869-0.894 Refractive Index: 1.483-1.489 Purity Tested/Quality Assured Natural … It contains a component called citral that helps to digest food. The lemongrass plant is steam distilled to produce Lemongrass Vitality, which enhances blends such as DiGize™ and supplements such as Essentialzymes-4™ and MultiGreens™. Lemon grass is an aromatic medicinal grass belonging to the genus Cymbopogon. Then, holding the lemongrass at either end, gently bend it several times to "bruise" it. Lemon grass … You can chop the fresh leaves or simply break up dried leaves. Bright and citrusy, lemongrass herbal tea has long been a part of certain traditional … Place the sliced lemongrass in a food processor (or chopper) and process well on "high." Discard the bulb. Benefits, Uses, & Recipes. Peel away these layers with your fingers and discard them. One of the best-known dishes is tom yum soup, a shrimp and vegetable soup with coconut milk, makrut lime, garlic, and red chili peppers. By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our, 14 Tea Recipes You Can Easily Brew Up at Home, Thai-Style Vegan Stir-Fry With Lemongrass, What Is Tulsi Tea? In manufacturing … To prepare lemongrass for cooking, you need a sharp serrated knife, a cutting board, and a food processor or mortar and pestle. The softer, fleshier part of the lemongrass (which is what you want to use in your cooking) is located under the tough outer leaves. Lindsey Goodwin is a food writer and tea consultant with more than 12 years of experience exploring tea production and culture. In some parts of India, lemongrass is considered to be an essential plant in the mind-body medicinal practice of Ayurveda. Applying Lemongrass Oil to Your Skin Dilute your lemongrass oil before application. Now throw the stalk into your soup or curry pot. Note that the lemongrass still needs to be cooked or boiled for at least five minutes before it is soft enough to be edible. While most of the studies to date on lemongrass tea are small-scale or lab-based, results show that lemongrass tea can help to improve oral health, lower cholesterol … Make your favorite takeout recipes at home with our cookbook! Lemongrass and Its Many Uses in Food and Drinks. (You can also choose to prepare all the stalks at once for use later). The oil can be used in cooking too, and this is generally regarded as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is popular in many Asian cuisines and adds an intriguing flavor to soups and stews. Now grown in Africa, Australia, and North and South … It has antioxidant properties. For a soothing hot lemongrass tea, add ginger root along with either mint or cinnamon, or both. Lemongrass has long, aromatic leaves that are cut and steam-distilled to produce Lemongrass essential oil. Lemongrass, originally native to India, Guatemala, and other tropical areas, has been used traditionally to improve the flavor of foods and drinks. Lindsey Goodwin. Be sure to warn guests the stalk is inedible. Lemongrass is also an ingredient in many herbal tea blends. That famous duo of lemongrass and ginger can also be used to create an amazing tequila infusion. For example, lemongrass leaves are commonly used as “lemon” flavoring in herbal teas. Due to its healing properties, it's also found in detox teas. It can also be used in fresh salads and sauces or infused in the liquid for steaming seafood such as clams and mussels. A versatile herb that can be used in all kinds of recipes, from marinades to curries and cocktails to stir-fries, lemongrass has a deep citrusy aroma that can typically … In this article, we will go over where to buy lemongrass, how to select it, and the steps needed to take this herb from a daunting stalk to a delightful addition in your next meal. Written by. It is native to the tropical regions of Asia and the Indian subcontinent. In its … A Lemon-Flavored Herb With a Great Zing. Lemongrass is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia and a common ingredient in Thai cuisine. Reserve this top end of the stalk for your recipe. Updated 10/09/19. When playing with herbal drink recipes, you'll also find that lemongrass pairs well with coconut milk, chili peppers, cucumber, and pear. 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