Spices and Herbs (Lemongrass)

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus or Cymbopogon citratus)

Lemongrass is a perennial grass that is popularly used to add a lemon flavor to Asian cuisine. In the garden, lemongrass is a beautiful ornamental grass that grows up to four feet tall in one growing season. Plant it in a sunny spot in the garden, and harvest small sections from the outside base of the clump throughout the summer.
To use in cooking, whether purchased or grown, remove the tough outer leaves, then chop the tender white base of the stalk. Add lemongrass to Asian dishes(Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian ...), vegetable stir-fries, rice and noodle dishes, marinades, curries, salads, seafood and soups.
It can also be used as a skewer for satays. Cut off the roots and peel off the hard outer leaves, use only the tender bottom portion (6-8 inches). If the lemongrass is not required sliced, it is normally hit a few of times with the unsharpened edge of a large knife to release the fragrance during cooking.

cooking Asian herb lemon grass lemongrass