What are lemongrass's culinary uses beyond Asian dishes?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Beyond Asian cuisine, lemongrass offers bright citrus avenues to any beautiful global dish. I love to use it on Mediterranean grilled veggies and Mexican salsas, which creates complexity in surprising ways. Its clean citrus flavor adds to, rather than disrupts, everything else you are using. It fits wonderfully into a myriad of global culinary traditions.
Protein Enhancement
- Create Caribbean jerk marinades with allspice and thyme
- Infuse butter for French-style seafood sauces
- Rub chopped stalks on lamb before Greek-style roasting
Baked Goods Innovation
- Add to shortbread cookies for citrus notes
- Infuse milk for custards and crème brûlée
- Enhance citrus cakes and muffin batters
Beverage Creations
- Steep in simple syrup for signature cocktails
- Brew with mint for Moroccan-inspired iced tea
- Combine with honey for soothing hot toddies
Fusion Flavors
- Mix into guacamole for bright acidity
- Add to Italian tomato sauces for depth
- Incorporate into Indian chutneys for balance
Learn flavor extraction techniques for greater impact. Bruise stalks well before any liquid is added to release the oils that hold aromatic properties. Dry applications can employ dried lemongrass ground with salt as versatile blends. I have lemongrass salt ready for proteins and veggies as finishing salt.
Try using unusual combinations for creative results. Mix minced lemongrass into the cornbread batter before baking, and be amazed by the results. Add it to apple compote and pork for an outstanding dish. Incorporate it into hummus to surprise your taste buds with the bright flavor of the Mediterranean. These uses demonstrate the versatility of lemongrass as a culinary ingredient.
Your preserved lemongrass expands your culinary options throughout the entire year. A frozen stalk works beautifully in long-simmered stews. Dried pieces can add flavor to spice rubs that are used for grilled meats. Infused oils can improve simple vinaigrettes. Each method of preservation has its own culinary advantages.
Read the full article: How to Grow Lemongrass Successfully at Home
