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Table of contents
What is Lemongrass
Lemongrass is an edible grass, a herb used very widely in Asian cuisine and is also known as:
- citronella grass
- barbed wire grass
- serai in Malay and countless other names in the various countries it’s used in.
It’s flavour? Citrusy, sweet and spicy and used just as commonly in savoury and as in sweet recipes.
How to Use Lemongrass
As the flavour is concentrated in the thicker bulb end, we only use the bottom half of the lemongrass stalk – whole, pounded or in thin slices.
Whole
Cut off a small piece at the bottom and remove any dried out or brown layers. Using the back of a knife, pound hard on the bulb to lightly smash it. This releases the essential oils and flavour.
Thinly sliced and Pounded
If pounding, slice thinly first as the fibrous layers will break down more easily that way. You can just as easily process a whole lot in a chopper, with a little water, to get a paste.
Store in a sterilized jar, cover with a layer of vegetable oil and it should keep easily for a couple of weeks in the fridge. I do the same thing with garlic, ginger and galangal.
Recipes using Lemongrass
I love adding a couple of bruised stalks to vodka and giving them to friends as Christmas gifts; it is also great in custards and panna cotta.
Lavender, Lemongrass & Ginger Spritzer 
Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef and Rice Noodle Salad 
Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken 
Blood Orange Mocktail
Other Uses for Lemongrass
Essential oil of lemongrass is used as a natural pesticide, a preservative and is also widely utilised in the perfume industry.
Given its uplifting properties, it is highly popular with aromatherapists and is also used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine.
Lemongrass
Equipment
- Knife
- Chopping board
- chopper
Ingredients
- 1-2 stalks lemongrass as needed in the recipe
Instructions
To chop or pound
- Thinly slice the bottom half of the lemongrass and place in a chopper or pound with a pestle and mortar.If using raw, chop finely before adding to your recipe.
To use whole (bruised lemongrass)
- Cut the lemongrass in half, and discard the top thinner half.
- Place on a chopping board, and pound the bulbous end with the back of a knife.
[…] a couple of bruised lemongrass (or half tsp paste), half tsp galangal paste and a couple of lime leaves to the broth and […]