Lemongrass

lemongrass

lem·​on·​grass

Lemongrass is a tall tropical plant that grows as a grass. This is not just any grass, it is an amazing spice.

Origin: Indonesia, Indochina and tropical Australia

Recipes: Lemongrass is a main ingredient found in Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian dishes. When you enter one of these restaurants, the fresh aroma smell is -- lemongrass.

One of my favorite Thai dishes is Tom Yum soup – the distinct ginger and lemongrass flavor is a perfect blend of deliciousness.

In cooking, only the bottom part of the grass is used. It can be used in a dry, fresh or frozen form.

Here’s a recipe to Tom Yum (Yum) Soup goodness.

Another favorite is Lemongrass Chicken Vietnamese style. 

Serve it up with some white rice and enjoy a wonderful Asian home-cooked meal.

Cures: Lemongrass has several healing qualities. It can be used to make an amazing tea that can be used as a diuretic to detox or to regulate cholesterol. A combination of lemongrass and pepper also promotes digestion and can be used to relieve nausea and cramps. It is also known to calm the nerves. To make a lovely cup of lemongrass tea – iced or hot – follow these easy steps.

Purchase stalks at a grocery store
Cut the stalks into 1- to 2-inch pieces
Boil a cup of water
Pour the boiling water over the lemongrass stalks to steep
Leave the stalks in the water for at least 5 minutes
Strain the liquid from the stalks and pour into a teacup
Adding ice cubes will create a cold lemongrass tea

The tea should have a fresh, citrusy taste. A person should start with one cup of lemongrass tea per day, then add more to their diet over the next days if they wish to.

Household Uses:

With its lemony scent, it can be used as a deodorizer to keep the air smelling fresh, in soaps and also used as an insect repellent. Yes, it can keep the insects away.

Lemongrass is such a versatile spice, you can make some chicken on the grill, boil up a nice cup of tea or use as an oil to keep those pesky bugs away.