Cooking with Lemongrass | Simple Recipes & Tips

Lemongrass is a versatile herb that adds a delightful citrusy and earthy flavor to dishes. It's commonly used in various cuisines, particularly in Southeast Asian and Thai cooking. Here are a few recipes that feature lemongrass leaves:

1. Lemongrass Infused Thai Soup :

   Ingredients:

   - Lemongrass leaves (2-3 stalks, bruised and chopped)

   - Thai bird's eye chilies (adjust to taste)

   - Galangal slices (or ginger slices)

   - Kaffir lime leaves (2-3 leaves, torn)

   - 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth

   - 200g shrimp, chicken, or tofu (your choice)

   - Mushrooms (straw or oyster mushrooms work well)

   - Fish sauce (to taste)

   - Lime juice (from 1-2 limes)

   - Fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish)

   Instructions:

1. In a pot, bring the broth to a boil and add lemongrass, chilies, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves.
2. Add the protein of your choice and mushrooms. Simmer until the protein is cooked.
3. Season with fish sauce and lime juice to taste.
4. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves.

2. Lemongrass Marinade for Grilled Chicken:

   Ingredients:

   - Lemongrass leaves (2-3 stalks, finely chopped)

   - Garlic cloves (3-4 cloves, minced)

   - Ginger (1-inch piece, minced)

   - Soy sauce (2 tablespoons)

   - Fish sauce (1 tablespoon)

   - Brown sugar (1 tablespoon)

   - Lime juice (from 1 lime)

   - Chicken pieces (4-6 pieces)

   Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine lemongrass, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice to make the marinade.
2. Marinate the chicken pieces in the mixture for at least 1 hour (overnight for better flavor).
3. Grill the marinated chicken until cooked through and slightly charred on the outside.
4. Serve with rice or a fresh salad.

3. Lemongrass Iced Tea:

   Ingredients:

   - Lemongrass leaves (2-3 stalks, bruised and chopped)

   - Water (4 cups)

   - Honey or sugar (to taste)

   - Lime slices (for garnish)

   - Ice cubes

   Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil and add lemongrass leaves. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat, strain, and let the tea cool to room temperature.
3. Sweeten with honey or sugar, adjusting to your taste preferences.
4. Chill the tea in the refrigerator.
5. Serve over ice, garnished with lime slices.

Remember that lemongrass leaves are quite tough and fibrous, so they're often used for flavoring rather than eating directly. Be sure to remove them from the final dish before serving. Enjoy experimenting with these recipes and exploring other ways to incorporate lemongrass into your cooking!