Lemon grass

Key facts

As the name suggests, lemon grass adds a wonderful citrus element to curries and other Oriental dishes. To use it, remove the outer papery layer and the top part then chop it into pieces. You can also bruise it in a pestle and mortar to release its flavours. In Thailand, lemon grass tea is often served chilled, with plenty of ice as a refreshing soft drink.

The British have always taken quickly to the flavours of the Orient. Thai cooking, in particular, has grown enormously in popularity and thus introduced us to the fragrant stalks of lemon grass.

It's not exactly a lemon flavour, but the strong scent is noticeably citrus. When you buy lemon grass it looks uninviting but the flavour is sublime. Added to a very English summer fruit compote, it gives a marvellously new dimension and I've also used it to create a very different Vichyssoise.

Related Recipes

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 Serves 6

Summer Fruit Compôte scented with Lemon Grass

Predominantly fruit, this is a healthy summery dessert to serve to dieters who often feel they miss out on the pudding front. You can use any fruit combination you like - the lemon grass adds a subtle and intriguing element.

 

 

 Serves 4

Chilled Lemon Grass and Coriander Vichyssoise

Although leeks are the traditional ingredient in a vichyssoise, the inclusion of lemon grass instead gives the soup a wonderful citrusy oriental flavour that really lends itself to serving chilled.

 

 

 Serves 4

Thai Creamed Coconut Chicken

Using ready-cooked chicken speeds up this already easy dish, making it a real winner for weekday supper. Coconut milk can be heavy in calories, so dieters may like to know that you can now buy half-fat coconut milk instead.

 

 

 Serves 2

Thai Prawn Curry with Pineapple

Pineapple crops up in many Thai dishes and here it offers a juicy, tangy counterpoint to fat, succulent prawns, all cooked in a spicy sauce. Quick and easy, Thai curries are the perfect midweek solution when you are tired and hungry.

 

 

 Serves 4

Hot and Sour Thai Chicken Broth

A Thai Tom Yum soup full of flavour and with hardly any fat, this lovely recipe is just as good made with prawns.