Lemongrass

Lemongrass is one of the essential herbs for curries and other dishes for South East Asian cooking.  Fresh or preserved lemongrass can be purchased here in Australia.  In Victoria, lemongrass plants grow very well, but during the winter months, special care has to be taken.  Cover the plant with plastic for protection, it does not like the cold and frost.



 My new lemongrass plant was planted in a pot this summer.  Hopefully this time it is going to be better. 

During winter months it needs cover to protect from frosts, I have to remember that, I lost two plants in the past.

I am looking forward to using it for salad dressing, curries, tea, and adding in braised fruit.

Potted Lemongrass-Planted 5 January 2012

Potted Lemongrass - 18 May 2012

Recipes Using Lemongrass-Susy's Recipes

Kare Ayam-Javanese Chicken Curry

Ayam Nyemek Bumbu Sereh

(Lemongrass Chicken Coated in Coconut Sauce).

Lemongrass Tea

Braised Pear in Syrup
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Ayam Nyemek Bumbu Sereh

(Lemongrass Chicken Coated in Coconut Sauce).

250 g chicken fillet, chopped

1 tablespoon oil

100 ml of coconut cream or milk

1  fresh lemongrass, bruised

1 small onion, sliced thinly

1 clove garlic, sliced thinly

1 juice of a lime

1 teaspoon sugar and salt

Dried Fried Shallots to Serve

Method

Pan fry the onion, garlic, lemongrass until fragrant 

Add in the chicken, stir and toss around

Add in the lime juice, salt and sugar

Cook gently for about 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked

Add in the coconut milk, bring to a gentle simmer

Cook for a few minutes until the coconut sauce thickens and coats the chicken.

Serve hot with steamed white rice.

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Lemongrass Tea

a refreshing hot lemongrass tea

One fresh lemongrass

Wash, clean-trim the leaves

Make a knot and bruise the bottom of the stalks

Place in a pot, bring to boil, then cook for 2 minutes longer

Keep in the pot to infuse

lemongrass and water, boil  to make tea

To serve: reheat it, transfer to a pot

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Braised Pear in Lemongrass Syrup

Firm semi-ripe pear, cut into six

Fresh lemongrass Syrup

1 juice of a lime

1 cup of raw sugar

1/2 cup water

Prepare the syrup

In a pot, place the ingredients, cook for a few minutes until the sugar is dissolved

Add in the pear, cook over low heat covered for 32-35

Soft, cooked pear after 35 minutes braising

Keep in the pot, cool, refrigerate

To serve:  Serve for dessert

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Now you have two recipes that you may like to try, lemongrass tea and sweet braised pear with lemongrass.

A very popular Javanese cooking with lemongrass is Kare Ayam (chicken curry).   I will be doing the dish next time.  But soon I like to cook a chicken dish with lemongrass, my own recipe - Ayam Nyemek Bumbu Sereh  (Lemongrass Chicken Coated in Coconut sauce).   Stay Tuned.

Have a good Weekend

Thanks For Stopping By

Until Next Post

Susy