Lemongrass is a multipurpose herb, used in culinary and medicinal applications. This tropical grass is widely known for its rich citrus scent. The lemongrass plant itself is not consumed directly, but it is added to add flavor to dishes. So, either you can remove it after cooking, or retain in dishes at the time of serving. While trying to make some lemongrass soup, make sure that you peel off the outside leaves and smash the stalk a little. This will impart a rich lemon flavor to your soup. Following are some easy lemongrass soup recipes that you can try making at home.
Corn and Lemongrass Soup
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 fresh lemongrass stalk
- 5 cups water
- 4 cups butternut squash, peeled, cubed, seeded
- 2 cups fresh corn kernels
- Salt and pepper for taste
This vegetarian lemongrass soup recipe requires simple ingredients. While preparing lemongrass, you can trim off the root section and remove the outer leaves. Crush the stalk with a large knife, and cut into larger pieces. In a soup pot, cook lemongrass and onions with some water for 10 minutes over low heat setting, until onion becomes soft. Add remaining water, squash, corn and seasoning spices. Adjust heat setting to high, and bring the soup mixture to a boiling temperature. Then, cover lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes, or till squash can be mashed easily. Remove lemongrass and make a puree. If required, reheat soup before serving.
Coconut Lemongrass Soup
Ingredients
- 2 cans coconut milk
- 2 stalks of lemongrass, peeled and sliced into cm pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 lime leaves, torn into 3 pieces
- 1 red pepper, cut into pieces
- jalapeo
- 1 block firm tofu
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 small zucchini, peeled and sliced
- 1 can button mushrooms, drained and washed
- Juice of 1 lime
- Sea salt for seasoning
Take a large soup pot, and add coconut milk, lemongrass, garlic, lime leaves. Heat till the mixture starts boiling. Then, stir in the remaining ingredients (except salt and lime juice) - red pepper, jalapeo, tofu, carrot, zucchini and mushroom. Cook in medium-low heat for 30 - 40 minutes. Add lime juice and salt as per your taste. If desired, you can add hoisin sauce to spice up your lemongrass soup. Before serving it, discard lemongrass.
Lemongrass Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 2 large lemongrass stalks, peeled and cut into 4-inch pieces
- 3 cups chicken broth
- cup cooked chicken breast, cut into pieces
- cup sliced button mushrooms
- teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 6 thin fresh asparagus spears, cut up
- Salt for taste
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro leaves
For this lemongrass soup recipe, first prepare lemongrass stalks by cutting lengthwise and tying with a cotton string. This way, you can remove them easily at the time of serving. In a cooking pan, add lemongrass, chicken broth, mushroom and pepper. Heat this mixture till boiling, and reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes, and discard lemongrass bundle. To the pan, add chicken pieces, asparagus and salt. Cook over low heat for 3 - 4 minutes, until asparagus turn crispy and tender. Remove lemongrass soup from heat, and add spring onions. While serving in soup bowls, you can top with fresh cilantro or basil leaves.
Lemongrass Soup with Shrimp
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 stick lemongrass, crushed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 lemon leaves, torn into 3 pieces
- 1 inch ginger root, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 fresh hot chilies, crushed and halved
- 2 ounces button mushrooms, quartered
- 16 medium to large shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnishing
To start with this soup recipe, heat 4 cups water in a large soup pot and bring it to a rolling boil. Then add lemongrass, lemon leaves and ginger. Boil for 2 minutes over high heat. Add sugar, fish sauce, chili powder, fresh chili, mushrooms, and cook for 4 minutes. Lower heat to medium high and add shrimp along with the lime juice. Boil for 2 minutes, or until shrimp turn springy and whitish in color. Spoon into individual soup bowls, decorate with cilantro leaves and serve hot.
If you crave for seafood, this shrimp and lemongrass soup recipe is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Basically a Thai food, it brings the richness of fresh herbs, lemongrass, lemon leaves, ginger and cilantro together in one dish. With so many recipes for lemongrass soup, each time you can try a different one to complement the meal menu, and enjoy the benefits of this wonderful herb.
No comments:
Post a Comment