Lemongrass Dried, Premium Quality, Free P&P to The UK (50g)

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Lay one half of the stem flat side down on the cutting board and dice it with your knife, pushing the lemongrass under the knife each time you raise it, rather than moving the knife along the length of the stem. If you are in search of a lemongrass substitute for cooking meat and poultry dishes, go with dried lemongrass. However, you must use it carefully as the dried alternative comes with a higher concentration of citrus and herbal flavor. Follow your food dehydrator’s instruction manual to determine the appropriate setting for herbs or set the temperature between 95°F to 115°F, which will dry them while preserving their essential oils. Lemongrass is a popular ingredient in many South and Southeast Asian cuisines, including Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Malaysian cooking. It is commonly used in soups, curries, broths, stir-fries, and spring rolls. Although native to India, lemongrass is also grown throughout Asia, as well as in Africa, Australia and the Caribbean. There are at least 55 different species of lemongrass, which have been used for a variety of purposes by different cultures around the world, including cooking, folk medicine, as an essential oil and even an insect repellent.

Wonderfully fragrant and warming, this shrimp and cabbage curry from Bon Appetit is the perfect blend of sweet coconut milk and spicy homemade red curry paste. For a vegetarian version, replace the shrimp with cubed squash or pumpkin. You can dehydrate lemongrass in several ways, including air drying, oven drying, and using a food dehydrator. The best way to dehydrate lemongrass is to air-dry it, but this method takes 1-2 weeks. A food dehydrator is the next best method for dehydrating and takes 2-4 hours. Oven drying isn’t recommended because there is a high risk of burning lemongrass due to the higher operating temperature of most ovens. How to Dry Lemongrass in a Food Dehydrator The simplest way to use lemongrass is to place the prepared lemongrass stem whole in soups, curries, and when steaming or poaching foods. For a more intense flavor you can cut the lemongrass into shorter sections.

Lemongrass tea has a lot of health benefits. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, promotes healthy digestion, prevents cancer, regulates cholesterol and blood pressure, and helps lose weight. (reference healthline.com) Ingredients Kroeung is another name for lemongrass paste that is made from chopped stalks of lemongrass, Kaffir lime leaves, garlic, salt, galangal, and turmeric powder. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Inflammation-and-Heart-Disease_UCM_432150_Article.jsp#.WfZh-oWcEiQ You can hang your lemongrass stalks in the attic, on a hook in the pantry, or in any warm, dry place that is well ventilated. You don’t want to hang them in direct sunlight or they will lose their flavor. Leave them hanging for one to two weeks until they feel crunchy. The advantages to this method are that it is easy and costs virtually nothing. The disadvantage is that it takes longer than other methods. 2. Drying lemongrass in the oven Place the lemongrass on a cutting board, then take a sharp chef’s knife or paring knife and remove the top of the stem, so you are left with only the bottom 7-8cm, then also remove the lower 1.5cm, so you are left with only the tenderest part of the stem.

Gather a few stalks of lemongrass and tie them together in bunches with a string or a rubber band. It should be secure but not too tight to allow for airflow. Once completely dry, the lemongrass should feel dry and brittle to the touch. Test by bending a piece of lemongrass; if it snaps easily, it is dehydrated. Give it more time to dry if it bends without breaking.If dried lemongrass is stored in the right conditions, it is safe to use for 2-3 years. [ iv] To make sure that it retains its essence and increase shelf life, use tight-fitting containers for storing lemongrass. This is a bit of a cop-out, but if you’re at the store and they’ve run out of whole lemongrass, then lemongrass paste is the next best thing.

In a well-ventilated room, hang the lemongrass bundles upside down, spacing them out on a hook or a clothesline. If you’re at the grocery store and need to find a lemongrass replacement because they ran out, I’ll also help you find the right one for whatever you’re cooking. Should you eat kaffir lime leaves? It’s a question that many people ask, and one without a definitive answer. Generally if the leaves are mostly intact you should remove before serving, much as you would with a bayleaf. On the other hand, if they are chopped and mixed with the other ingredients it’s absolutely fine to eat them. Lemon Balm Fresh lemon balm has a delicate citrus flavor and is a great way to add a citrusy touch to any meal you cook. It also has a touch of mint which can make an interesting addition to the flavor profile of any dish you prepare. It’s for this reason that I believe lemon balm may be up there as the best substitute for lemongrass.Lemon balm is another great substitute for lemongrass. For one stalk of lemongrass, take four lemon balm leaves to get a subtle citrus flavor. Chop and only add them towards the end of the cooking process. This will allow it to retain its delicate flavor. Sometimes, using alternatives can give your recipe a unique flavor. And, what if we say that these substitutes are readily available? Yes, you can easily find it in your pantry, refrigerator, or at your nearest local grocery store. Great news, right? 8 Best Substitutes for Lemongrass 1. Lemon Zest Nothing is worse than starting to cook a new recipe and realizing you’re missing a key ingredient. If you’re looking for a last-minute alternative for lemongrass, I’ve got you covered! I’ll show you the best lemongrass substitutes you can scrape together in your kitchen. You can also dry your lemongrass in a dehydrator. This is the easiest option and it works well because a dehydrator is designed specifically to dry out herbs and other foods. Once you place the lemongrass in the dehydrator, you won’t have to worry about it until it’s ready. In the West, lemongrass can be found at local Asian markets and in most grocery stores, either in the fresh produce aisle, or in the freezer section. Lemongrass stalks are usually sold with the leaves removed, in bunches of two and three, so they will look like a small bunch of scallions, or spring onions.

Remove the root ends of the lemongrass stalks using a kitchen knife or shears and trim away the woody, dry parts and the tough outer layers, leaving the tender inner portions.Lemongrass normally comes as a whole stalk, but it can be dried out to use later. It’s a great lemongrass stalk substitute when you’re cooking.