Handbook of Herbs and Spices - Volume 3

Lemongrass 411

home made soda by mixing it with seltzer. A blend of lemongrass, garlic, ginger and

oil will be stable in the freezer during winter. This paste can be fried until fragrant

and then cooked down with a can of coconut milk (strain to remove tough lemongrass

fibres) for a delicious sauce for noodles, vegetables or seafood dishes. Some Thai

recipes using lemongrass are given below.

Spiced carrot soup with ginger and lemongrass

Ingredients Approximate measure

1. Carrots, scrubbed and chopped 2 small sized


2. Leek, coarsely chopped 2–3 small sized


3. Onion, diced 2–3 small sized


4. Celery, diced 1 or 2


5. Ginger, minced half inch piece


6. Lemongrass 2–3 stalks


7. Honey 1 tbsp


8. Curry 1 tbsp


9. Cloves, garlic, minced 2 of each


10. Oil 2 tbsp


11. Water 1 cup


12. Lemon juice half lemon


13. Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Sauté leeks, carrots and celery in oil till translucent. Add garlic, curry and ginger.

Sauté for several minutes. Add water and bring to the boil. Add honey, lemongrass,

outer leaves removed and inner core minced, salt and pepper. Simmer until vegetables

are tender. Puree until smooth. Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning. It can be

served hot or cold as a garnish with thinned yogurt or crème fraiche and parsley or

cilantro.

Fig. 24.2 Gas chromatogram of lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon flexosus).

02040 min

mV

30

20

10

0

Citral b Citral a

10.72212.059

2.718

3.748

4.734

6.140

8.259

14.12515.572

16.315

17.500

18.344

18.520

20.32621.78223.578

24.625

26.173

27.86631.600

32.25

33.51834.95337.15438.437

40.559

42.497

45.62647.209