Origin: Vietnam

• Description
• Applications
• Storage
• Recipe

• The narrow foliage of lemongrass ranges from blue-green to gold, and the flowers are white, cream, or green, depending on the plant's age. Generally, there will be more colors of purple and blue in the base of the plant closest to its root source. Younger lemongrass will display a sweet tropical citrus aroma. The stalk and bulb will be tender to the touch. The older the plant, the more fibrous and less flavorful.

• The distinctive herbal citrus flavor and aroma of lemongrass lends itself well to many Asian dishes such as curries, noodle soups, and chili sauces. Infuse cooking liquids to steam shellfish, such as mussels and clams, or add coconut milk for braising beef.

• Store fresh lemongrass in your fridge, loosely wrapped in just-damp paper towels, for a week to ten days. For longer-term storage, the herb freezes beautifully.

• Thai Chicken Satay

  Ingredients:

  1 stalk lemongrass
  1 square galangal
  1 clove shallots
  2 cloves garlic
  5 Tbsp. coconut milk
  1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  1 tsp. ground coriander
  1 tsp. granulated sugar
  1/2 tsp. lime zest
  1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
  2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
  

  Instructions:

  1. Combine all marinade ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
  2. Transfer marinade to a bowl and add chicken. Toss to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and preferably 24 hours (or overnight).
  3. Before cooking the satay, soak the skewers in water (this will help to prevent them from burning). If cooking over a grill, heat up the grill. If cooking in the oven, heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  4. Thread the chicken onto the skewers (discard marinade). Set chicken out on a baking sheet. Season the tops of the chicken with some salt and black pepper.
     
  5. To grill the skewers: Place skewers over direct heat until grill marks appear on both sides. Transfer skewers to indirect heat and continues cooking until chicken is cooked through 5 to 8 minutes.
     
  6. To cook skewers in the oven: Roast skewers in the 400 degrees F oven, turning with tongs halfway through cooking, until cooked through, 12 to 18 minutes (depending on the thickness of the chicken).