Lemongrass, tasty, versatile and healthy
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Lemongrass is such a plant that we all know and certainly use regularly, but which we often do not immediately recognize when we see it somewhere. Besides being great for use in the kitchen, it is also a lush growing grass and has quite a few medicinal aspects in it. In short, a versatile plant.
Lemongrass, the base
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It is a garden plant, also known as garden herb, with the official name Cymbopogon citratus. The origin of this plant is in India, but the plant can now be found all over the world. In the Netherlands we sometimes call the plant sereh and in Indonesia the plant is known under the name serai.
Growth habit
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The plant grows in the sun and in partial shade. The slender leaves, which are often used in the kitchen, can grow up to 75 centimeters high. The plant is not green all year round, the plant loses its leaves during the cold months.
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11 minMain dishpeanut oil, tofu stir-fry cubes finely seasoned, stir fry sauce sweet and sour, thick noodles, carrot julienne, beetroot julienne, yellow bell pepper, watercress,rainbow salad with tofu -
45 minMain dishRed cabbage, mild olive oil, quinoa plus, forest outing, lemon, sesame oil, soy sauce less salt, Bio Today tahini white in pot, tap water,grilled red cabbage with quinoa salad -
30 minDessertBrie, Roquefort, port salut, gruyere, Camembert, walnut, garlic, thyme, honey, grape, baguette, Red onion, red grape, raisins, Red wine, Red wine vinegar, Brown sugar,generous cheese plate with onion marmalade -
30 minDessertFull Milk, whipped cream, macaroon, custard powder, vanilla sugar, sugar, protein, amaretto, almond liqueur, basic recipe cooking pears,macaroon pastry with casserole
Various applications
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When essential oil is made from lemongrass (citronella), this is mainly used by beekeepers. They can lure the bees into the bait hives with this scent. Lemongrass is also used as a flavoring agent in various dishes, but the fresh scent of lemongrass can also be used in soap or perfume.
Application in the kitchen
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Lemongrass has a fresh, sour taste. The taste, as the name suggests, goes towards the lemon and lime. It is a relatively widely used taste, for example in certain dishes just to remove the 'heavy' something and to give it that fresh sour taste. But a fairly neutral salad can also give a little more 'body'. Nice and fresh, especially in the warmer months.
Application past and present
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In the past we could only use the dried version of lemongrass and sometimes the frozen version. Lemongrass in powder form was often used. However, the fresh variety in pots or open ground - as we have had in the Netherlands for several years - is still much tastier. The purity of the fresh plant is paramount. This also applies to the vast majority of herbs.
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5 minDrink without alcoholbananas, cool fresh apple-pear raspberry juice, Soy drink vanilla,soy fruit shake -
20 minMain dishsauerkraut, sticking potato, liquid baking product, half-to-half minced, Spice meatballs, pineapple, olive oil, liquid baking product,gratin sauerkraut dish with minced meat -
40 minMain dishlemongrass, fresh ginger, Red peppers, onions, tomato cubes, fresh cod fillet, coriander, oil, ground turmeric (koenjit), coconut milk, salt,fish in creamy coconut sauce -
15 minSide dishsweet potato, soft goat cheese, egg, spring / forest onion,stuffed sweet potato with egg
Health aspects
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Lemongrass is a great addition to a meal for several reasons.
Medicinal
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Lemongrass can be used in various ways when it comes to the healing power of the plant. The plant in tea form is perhaps even the best known. Due to its high iron content, lemongrass is good against iron deficiency in the body. Due to its antiseptic properties, the plant is valuable in treating arthritis, gout, and urinary tract inflammation, among others. Furthermore, the microorganisms in the plant eliminate harmful bacteria, yeasts, fungi and parasites and the blood is purified. It helps to relieve the airways from the flu, cold or hay fever.
Finally
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Lemongrass may seem like a somewhat insignificant plant, but when used regularly it has a good effect on the body. Since it is also a tasty seasoning, application in different dishes will not pose a problem for most people.
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Lemongrass may seem like a somewhat insignificant plant, but with regular use it has a good effect on the body. Since it is also a tasty seasoning, application in different dishes will not pose a problem for most people.
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20 minMain dishTasty vine tomato, (olive oil, fresh basil, onion, garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano, zucchini spaghetti, pumpkin spaghetti, mini buffalo mozzarella,lukewarm pumpkin and zucchini spaghetti -
15 minSide dishtraditional olive oil, curry powder, wheat flour, coconut milk, sambal oelek, chicken broth tablet, water, fresh mango,curry sauce with mango -
30 minMain dishtraditional olive oil, lean ground beef, frozen Mexican wok vegetables, salsa sauce mild, taco shell, grated young cheese, creme fraiche,Mexican vegetable in tacos -
95 minMain dishmaize chicken, lemon, coarse sea salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, thyme, zucchini, tomatoes (small to), black olives without pit,provençal chicken with zucchini and tomatoes