Lemon Grass is a fragrant, lemon-scented herb commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine. It adds a unique citrusy flavor and aroma to various dishes. Lemongrass is a versatile ingredient to season meats, soups, curries, and salads.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to use lemongrass in cooking, including how to prepare and store it:
Lemon Grass is a grass-like herb with a citrusy aroma and flavor used as a seasoning ingredient in many popular cuisines worldwide.
It is native to tropical regions in South and Southeast Asia but can also be found in some grocery stores in the United States.
Lemongrass’s flavor profile is similar to that of lemon, though it’s not nearly as sharp or acidic as lemon juice, making it an ideal seasoning for various dishes.
Lemongrass consists of stiff, fibrous stalks; for culinary purposes, only the softer bottom portion should be used. The upper portion of lemongrass stalks can be woody and tough and are usually discarded before being cooked or consumed.
The lower part has an intense lemony flavor, so only a tiny amount is needed to add flavor to dishes. Fresh lemongrass should be fragrant with a stand-out citrusy scent and vibrant green color.
When using lemongrass, it’s best to use fresh or frozen whole stalks before freezing due to its shorter shelf life when kept fresh and its tendancy towards spoilage when stored over time.
You can use fresh lemongrass in the kitchen by chopping and mincing finely before adding it to your dish.
You can also steep whole stalks of fresh lemongrass in hot liquids such as tea or broth to impart its citrusy flavor into them before discarding the stalk afterwards.
Dried lemongrass powder may also be used as a substitute for fresh ingredients. Remember that dried ingredients are generally more potent, so take care not to oversalt your dish!
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Health Benefits
Lemongrass has been a popular choice for many years as an ingredient in cooking, and for a good reason. Not only is it flavorful and versatile, it also offers a wide range of health benefits.
Lemongrass contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation, support bone health, and improve digestion.
Let’s explore further and look at the many health benefits of using lemongrass in your cooking:
Source of Vitamin A and C
Lemongrass is a nutrient-dense herb native to South Asia, and it has recently become quite popular as an ingredient in cooking as it adds a refreshing citrus flavour.
It also has many health benefits, including vitamins A and C, folate, magnesium and iron.
- Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy skin and eyesight, while the vitamin C can help boost the immune system.
- Additionally, the folate content helps to lower cholesterol levels and provides vital B vitamins for proper red blood cell production.
- Lemongrass’s high magnesium content may help ward off type-2 diabetes since it improves glucose circulation in the body.
- The iron content helps to keep an adequate oxygen supply from reaching your muscles which could lead to fatigue.
Lemongrass can be used in many recipes, fresh or dried, so adding it to your meals can be an easy way to get these health benefits.
Antioxidant properties
Lemongrass has long been used in traditional medicines and is known to have several health benefits. It is mainly rich in antioxidants, which prevent oxidation by neutralizing the harmful molecules called free radicals.
Studies have shown that lemongrass helps reduce oxidative stress and damage linked with chronic medical conditions like cardiovascular disease and other age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
Research suggests that regular consumption of lemongrass can help protect against these conditions.
In addition, studies have found that antioxidants present in lemongrass can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
This means that consuming this herb regularly may provide some protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and even pollution.
Finally, lemongrass offers some antibacterial properties making it a good option for those looking for natural remedies for common ailments, including colds and flu.
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Cooking with Lemongrass
Lemongrass is an aromatic plant that can add flavor to dishes. It has a specific lemony flavor that is distinct and highly recognizable. It is widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine and Thai curries and soups.
Let’s explore how to use lemongrass in cooking and the different ways to incorporate it into your dishes:
Infusing flavor in soups and stews
Lemongrass is a unique ingredient with a distinct lemony aroma and flavor. It can be used to enhance a variety of recipes, but is especially suited to soups and stews. To get the most out of lemongrass, it must first be prepared correctly.
To extract its essential oils, lemongrass must be bruised or chopped before use. A mortar and pestle are ideal tools for bruising the herb, but if these are not available, carefully cut the stalk into thin slices using a sharp knife.
Smash each slice against your cutting board or between plates until it gives off a pleasant aroma.
The next step is infusing the flavor into your recipe by adding the bruised lemongrass to your soup or stew during cooking.
For milder flavors, you may opt for just one stalk in about 2-4 cups of liquid, such as soups, stocks or sauces; for more robust flavors, add two or three stalks for each 3-4 cups of liquid instead.
Simmering whole stalks will allow the flavor to build throughout the cooking time gradually, but if you prefer intense flavors, quickly add chopped pieces in the last 10 minutes of cooking time so that they won’t become too overpowering before they dissolve entirely into your recipe.
If more intense flavor is desired without having large chunks in your recipe, mash some stalks into a paste using a pestle and mortar before adding them directly to whatever’s being cooked.
Once again, focusing on last minute additions near the end of cooking time rather than earlier additions can result in an overly intense flavor that easily overpowers other ingredients while cooking away all its character and quality over extended periods.
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Making tea
Tea made from lemongrass is a popular beverage in Southeast Asia.
To make the tea, select a few stalks of lemongrass that are firm, green and fragrant. Peel off and discard any dry, brown layers at the bottom of the stalks and cut them into 1-inch pieces.
Place the pieces in a pot with 5 cups of water and bring to a boil. When boiling, reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the tea, sweetening it with sugar or honey to taste if desired.
Lemongrass tea is known for its many health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, aiding digestion and boosting immunity.
Adding it to salads
Adding freshly chopped lemongrass to a salad or slaw adds a zesty twist that will make your dish memorable.
Lemongrass is often associated with Asian cuisine, so it works exceptionally well with kale or napa cabbage salads and slaws, including ingredients like shredded carrots, bean sprouts and cilantro.
The fibrous stalks can be tough to mince by hand, but you can pulse them in a food processor fitted with the metal blade until they are finely chopped.
Be sure not to over-process them, as they will lose much of their flavor if ground too fine. A little bit at the end of your cooking time brings a fantastic transformation in flavor as it helps balance out spicier dishes like soups and curries.
Recipes
Lemongrass is a fragrant herb native to Southeast Asia. It is a main ingredient in many Thai and Vietnamese dishes, adding a bright citrus flavor to recipes.
Lemongrass is quite versatile in the kitchen and can be used in a variety of dishes, either fresh or dried.
In this section, we will discuss some recipes that can be made with lemongrass and how to prepare it:
Lemongrass and Coconut Soup
Lemongrass is a tropical grass that has a slightly citrusy, lemony flavor and aroma. It is an essential ingredient in many Southeast Asian dishes and can create a delicious soup.
When making lemongrass soup, it is essential to use the correct variety of lemongrass; its stalks should be greenish-yellow in color, not brown or dried out.
Here’s how to make this delightful soup:
Ingredients:
- 1 stalk fresh Thai lemongrass, diced
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- Juice of 1/2 lime
Instructions:
- In a medium pot over medium heat, sauté the diced lemongrass for 3 – 4 minutes.
- Pour in the coconut milk and vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the fish sauce and chili flakes (if desired) into the mixture; constantly stir until blended.
- Remove from heat and squeeze in the lime juice; stir until evenly distributed within the soup mixture.
- Pour into four serving bowls or containers; serve hot with accompanying ingredients of choice at once. Enjoy!
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Lemongrass and Ginger Tea
Lemongrass and ginger tea is a refreshing and delicious health drink. Combining fresh lemongrass and ginger with warm water, this tea contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
It can be enjoyed both hot or chilled as an iced tea.
Bring two cups of filtered water to a boil in a small pot to make the tea. Cut two or three stalks of fresh lemongrass into 1″ pieces on a cutting board. Add the pieces to the boiling water and reduce the heat to low.
Peel one large knob of ginger root using a vegetable peeler and cut into thin slices. Toss the ginger slices into the pot and simmer for 10 minutes or until the liquid has reduced by half (about one cup).
Remove from heat, strain and enjoy!
If you prefer it iced, pour strained tea over plenty of ice cubes.
You can also add sweetener such as honey or maple syrup if you prefer it on the sweeter side – but for an authentic health-focused Tea experience, try it without any added sweeteners first!
Lemon wedges added when serving also adds an exciting flavor twist. Enjoy your Lemongrass and Ginger Tea!
Lemongrass and Lime Salad
This light and refreshing salad is a great way to incorporate lemongrass into your meal. The flavorful herbs and zesty lime provide bright flavor and texture, which perfectly counterbalances the mellow lemongrass.
To prepare the lemongrass for the salad, use a cleaver or heavy knife to chop off all but 1 inch of the tough outer layer, then discard. Mince the remaining tender white inner core.
For this recipe, you will need the following:
- 1 stalk of lemongrass
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 2 cups mesclun or baby greens
Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, and salt in a small bowl to make a vinaigrette dressing. Mix the dill, mint, onion, and bell pepper separately.
Peel off the tough outer layer of lemongrass using either a cleaver or heavy knife and chop off all but an inch of it at its thickest end.
Then mince this remaining tender white core finely into small pieces before adding it to your vinaigrette dressing in your bowl.
Toss with your mesclun or baby greens salad mixture well so that everything is evenly coated before serving on chilled plates. Enjoy!
Conclusion: How To Use Lemon Grass In Cooking
Lemongrass can be used in various ways to create delicious dishes. It is a popular ingredient in many Southeast Asian cuisines and is often used to give an added flavor to dishes.
It is a great way to add a unique flavor to the dishes and can be used in various recipes.
In conclusion, lemongrass is a versatile ingredient used in many recipes to add a unique flavor to dishes.
Benefits of using lemongrass in cooking
Lemongrass’s unique citrus flavor adds a bright and fragrant note to sweet and savory dishes. As well as being incredibly flavorful, it is also a very healthy addition to your recipes.
Lemongrass is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, giving it many health benefits.
Consuming lemongrass can improve digestion due to its large amount of dietary fiber, which helps promote the production of beneficial gut bacteria.
It contains valuable amounts of vitamin C and other powerful antioxidants, which help fight the damaging effects of free radicals in the body, thus boosting immunity against infection.
Lemongrass also has antibacterial properties, clearing up complex infections such as urinary tract infections and MRSA.
In addition to these health benefits, lemongrass is an excellent choice for cooks seeking flavorful additions to their dishes.
Its slightly sweet lemony flavor compliments an array of ingredients ranging from chicken and seafood to fruits such as pineapple and mangoes for desserts.
Lemongrass can also be used as an aromatic herb in teas or infusions with added honey or ginger for extra immune-boosting benefits!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What can I cook with lemongrass?
A1: Lemongrass is used in many dishes, such as soups, curries, stir-fries, and teas. It can also be used to flavor marinades, dressings, and sauces.
Q2: How do I prepare lemongrass for cooking?
A2: To prepare lemongrass for cooking, remove the dry outer layer of the stalk, then cut off the root end and the top portion. Peel back any tough outer layers until you reach the tender, whitish-green core. Chop the core into small pieces before using it in recipes.
Q3: Can I substitute lemongrass with something else?
A3: Lemon zest or juice can replace the flavor of lemongrass in recipes. However, it won’t have the same texture or aroma as lemongrass.
