It is native to India and Ceylon but is now cultivated in China, England, Southern and Central America, and many other parts of the world. Lemongrass essential oil comes from the lemongrass plant, which grows in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. 1 Lemongrass essential oil comes from lemongrass plants, which smell similar to lemon plants, and are part of the Poaceae family, which contains more than 50 different varieties of plant. Using a rolling pin or meat mallet, whack down the core to bruise it. All of it. References. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. It is lemon grass that gives the Thai curry its unique fresh lemon flavour. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Add these bruised stalks to your soup or curry. You can use whole stalks to flavor curries or soups, and remove it just before serving. To harvest a stalk of lemongrass, grasp firmly near the base of the stem and pull. I normally start by cutting off about an inch from the root end, and I … Dilute the oil as you would for any other use on skin.Then, pour the mixture into a small, clean spray bottle and apply. Simply make several superficial cuts along the length of the stalk with your serrated knife. Many people use it in soups to pop the flavors. Absolutely yes, just like normal tea. Use lemongrass to reduce inflammation, boost circulation, and bringing relief to overused muscles and joints. Lemongrass paste can be used in various dishes. Sweeten with honey if you wish. Lemon and grass. This article has been viewed 292,864 times. Try making a simple syrup with some lemongrass leaves. Then, holding the lemongrass at either end, gently bend it several times to "bruise" it. Dandruff.Early research suggests that applying a lemongrass oil solution to the hair reduces dandruff in some people. To get the most flavor out of lemon grass, use a knife or cleaver to bruise the bulb and then mince the pieces. Here is a pic of my lemongrass ready to use. You can cut the yellow stalk into 2- to 3-inch lengths and then bruise these sections by bending them several times. The inner, white core is what is used in cooking, though the leaves can also be used to make a light, lemony tea. That’s why I will be planting mine in the ground next year instead of a pot. In addition, create superficial cuts along these sections with your knife, which will help release the lemon flavor. This fragrant and attractive grass will thrive in a large pot as well as in the ground in a sunny position. You can even steep chopped or slivered lemon grass pieces in hot water to make a refreshing tea! The stem's lower end is softer and will reduce to an edible pulp once pounded in a mortar with a pestle. The tough, bigger pieces of lemon grass are meant to flavor dishes. It is part of a family of aromatic grasses, Cymbopogon, found in tropical climates, and is used in perfumes, hoodoo ceremonies, traditional medicine, insect repellent, and the kitchen. Lemongrass ready to use. Lemongrass can then be incorporated at the end of cooking in sauces with coconut milk, to accompany a sauteed beef, curry dishes, lemongrass chicken, lemongrass bar ceviche, lemongrass fruit soups. Lemongrass is a pungent herb with the potential add bitter notes to a dish and blanching can help to prevent that. You can use the upper, reserved stalk to add even more flavor and fragrance to soups and curries. Great bruschetta is made with schiacciare senza semi (crushed tomatoes without seeds). If you’re making soup, you can add the whole bruised stalk; finely chop it for a stir-fry. By using our site, you agree to our. There are lots of ways to use lemongrass in drinks: you can steep leaves or dried stalks into hot tea, use it to infuse your own bitters, or simmer it in simple syrup for mixing into various cocktails, mocktails, or lemonade. To peel tomatoes, place them whole in a bowl and cover with boiling water. However, some people enjoy sucking on them for their flavor. Can lemon grass tea be kept and drank after one day? Peel off the outer layers and dice the tender lemongrass hearts to use in the dish; Alternatively, you can roughly chop the whole stalk and use it like a bay leaf to season dishes while cooking and remove before eating. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Add one to two drops of essential oil to your regular cleanser or mix it with a hydrosol such as tea tree or lavender hydrosol, to dilute and make an effective skin toner. Can lemongrass leaves be used in a broth or for steaming? The flavor intensity of lemon grass varies widely depending on the climate where it was grown. The skins should slip off easily. Frustrated with stomach issues, but don't know what's wrong? Yes, but candy is difficult to make if you do not know what you are doing. Insufficient Evidence for. It’s used in aromatherapy for health and beauty too. Lemongrass oil does a … Then peel off any dry or tough outer layers before finely chopping or mincing. Herbalists have prescribed lemon grass for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including cramps, colds, and influenza. When serving, remove the lemongrass piec… Last Updated: August 21, 2019 Lemongrass stalks can get to be much larger than mine in the picture. Lemongrass extract mainly finds use in soaps, perfumery, and cosmetic products. Consider straining large pieces out before serving. The main stalk (the yellow section) is what is used in Thai cooking. How to Prepare Lemongrass: You can use different parts of the stalk for different preparations, but you still need to trim the lemongrass the same way to get to the good stuff. You can also use a lemongrass stem in a cocktail, use as a skewer for barbecued pork or prawn mince, or stuff the leaves inside a fish before steaming or a chicken before roasting. To de-seed, slice the tomato in half and cut a V, taking out the centre core and the seeds. You can use lemon grass in dishes ranging from soups to desserts. My mate Frank Camorra, from Melbourne restaurant MoVida, always removes tomato seed and skin when cooking, even paella. Lemongrass holds up … Here is the step-by-step method to use lemongrass: First, you will have to discard the tough outer leaves of the lemongrass stalks by peeling them away with your fingers. As it sits for ten or fifteen minutes I can fairly easily break off the amount I need with a spoon or knife. You can also use it with meat, poultry, or seafood dishes. Uses & Effectiveness? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. However, some people enjoy sucking on them for their flavor. The long, green leaves are sharp-edged, fibrous and not suitable for eating. Keep pieces small for eating and larger for flavoring. Several sources say that fresh lemongrass can make broths too bitter, but the muted flavor of dried leaves might have less punch. If you're planting in soil, make sure it is fertile and well drained – water well. The tough, bigger pieces of lemon grass are meant to flavor dishes. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you buy fresh lemongrass, you must cut the first 6 cm of the stem from the base.The rest of the stem, tender, should be peeled and detailed into sticks. But restaurant chefs and commercial cooks do it all the time. Reduces Menstrual Cramps. Lemongrass is packed with essential oils reminiscent of lemon but far more complex – citrus, some  dirtier resinous notes and tropical floral notes. With lemongrass, very little is wasted. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Use the tender section of lemongrass by chopping well (use a food processor) and cooking before eating. Shake the bottle occasionally. Citronella oil in the leaves can repel some insects, such as mosquitos, so a few clumps around the barbecue table come in handy. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 6. Other suggestions from readers to avoid onion tears are: contact lenses; chewing gum; blow the fumes away with a fan; keep your mouth full of water while chopping; and breathing through the mouth. I generally take the frozen lemongrass out of the freezer when I begin my recipe. A mate who works in an aged care facility uses de-seeded tomatoes because the seeds can get under dental plates and cause irritation. The soft inner part of the stalk is what you want to use to cook. You can add the seeds and gel surrounding them to stocks, soups and stews. First, remove any of the dry outer leaves and discard, using the pale, softer parts. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Use the entire stalk, which will be cut and prepped in different ways depending on the dish. This article has been viewed 292,864 times. To use fresh lemongrass in your cooking, always cut off the lower bulb and remove tough outer leaves. Lemongrass is a tropical variety of grass with a sweet, lemony scent. 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. Last updated on December 9, 2020 by Prateek 0 Comment Share Tweet on Twitter Share on Facebook Pinterest. "It's about perfect texture," he says. How To Use Lemongrass | Organic Facts. Whole freeze-dried lemongrass can be prepared in the same way. Steep the stalk for 3 to 4 days in a nearly full bottle of vodka. Instead, remove with a pair of kitchen scissors, snip into 1cm pieces and add to a cup of freshly boiled water with a few fine slices of ginger to make a refreshing hot drink. Lemongrass oil can be used as toner. H. D'Cruz suggests one simply follow the example of the former Member for Warringah and bite them whole, and you'll never shed a tear. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Lemongrass is considered to be a milder extract, but don’t use it undiluted. Use this method when you want a gentle lemon aroma and flavor in a dish with plenty of liquid, such as soups or braises. Keep reading for tips on cutting lemon grass to get the most flavor for a variety of dishes! To use lemongrass in marinades, stir-fries, salads, spice rubs, and curry pastes, trim the top and base of the stalks—you want to use only the bottom 4 inches or so. Once you know how to use frozen lemongrass just use this amount as a guide and adjust the amount you use to suit your own taste. Recently we were discussing finding ways of avoiding the tears when chopping onions. If you’re in the clear, you can use lemongrass oil-containing shampoo as directed on the label. You can use it to substitute lemongrass in any recipe. It's also used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation. Try 2 drops of Lemongrass and 2 drops of Sweet Marjoram in one tablespoon of carrier oil for a soothing rub. Use the tip of the knife to remove any remaining seeds. It is typically sold fresh, but it's also available dried and powdered. It is particularly associated with Thai and South East Asian cooking. Lemon grass is common in Thai, Vietnamese, and Sri Lankan dishes, and it's also becoming popular in other cuisines. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Use-Lemon-Grass-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-Lemon-Grass-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Use-Lemon-Grass-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1386538-v4-728px-Use-Lemon-Grass-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"