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Prepare and cook with lemongrass like a pro
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Lemon grass is a tropical grass with a lemony scent and taste that's used in cooking. It is typically sold fresh, but it's also available dried and powdered. Lemon grass is common in Thai, Vietnamese, and Sri Lankan dishes, and it's also becoming popular in other cuisines. You can use lemon grass in dishes ranging from soups to desserts.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Preparing Lemon Grass

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  1. Use the entire stalk, which will be cut and prepped in different ways depending on the dish.
    • The tough, bigger pieces of lemon grass are meant to flavor dishes. These larger pieces generally are not eaten. Consider straining large pieces out before serving. However, some people enjoy sucking on them for their flavor.
  2. [1]
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  3. [2]
  4. Store it in a plastic bag that's securely sealed. You can freeze lemon grass for as long as 6 months.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Cooking With Lemon Grass

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  1. Lemon grass is often coupled with coconut milk , chiles, cilantro, and garlic.
  2. Bruising will free the aromatic oils for cooking. [3]
  3. Slicing thinly breaks the stalk's tough fibers so that the pieces can be chewed and swallowed with ease. [4]
  4. Add the rounds to stir fries.
  5. Bruise the pieces and toss them into simmered recipes such as soups.
  6. Add the paste to curry dishes and other recipes.
    • Clean and bruise a lemon grass stalk.
    • Steep the stalk for 3 to 4 days in a nearly full bottle of vodka. Shake the bottle occasionally.
    • Take out the stalk after steeping.
  7. [5]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can lemon grass tea be kept and drank after one day?
    Community Answer
    Absolutely yes, just like normal tea. Keep it in the fridge and have it as iced lemon grass tea. As a tip, add some honey, ginger, and mint leaves.
  • Question
    Can lemongrass leaves be used in a broth or for steaming?
    Community Answer
    Several sources say that fresh lemongrass can make broths too bitter, but the muted flavor of dried leaves might have less punch. Another thought is to use the fresh leaves to line bamboo steamers when cooking fish, vegetables, and dumplings.
  • Question
    Can I make lemongrass candy?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but candy is difficult to make if you do not know what you are doing. Try making a simple syrup with some lemongrass leaves. You can then use the infused simple syrup to put in the candy.
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      Tips

      • Lemon grass is believed to have medicinal qualities. Herbalists have prescribed lemon grass for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including cramps, colds, and influenza. It's also used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation. [6]
      • The flavor intensity of lemon grass varies widely depending on the climate where it was grown. It's best to season by taste rather than using quantities listed in recipes.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Lemon grass
      • Knife
      • Cleaver
      • Cooking equipment
      • Plastic bags

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to use lemon grass while cooking, try pairing chopped lemon grass with other spices, like chilies, cilantro, and garlic, for exotic tastes. To get the most flavor out of lemon grass, use a knife or cleaver to bruise the bulb and then mince the pieces. If you want to use lemon grass on a salad, cut it into thin slivers so it's easier to chew and eat. You can even steep chopped or slivered lemon grass pieces in hot water to make a refreshing tea! Keep reading for tips on cutting lemon grass to get the most flavor for a variety of dishes!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Joe Jayasinghe

        May 27, 2018

        "For meat curries, especially beef or mutton, adding a piece of lemon grass will give a flavor and aroma. Half an ..." more
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