If you love lemongrass…then imma about to give you a little game changer!!  Lemongrass Paste that can be used in tonnes of different recipes: Salad Dressings, Marinades, Noodle Bowls, Soups…and so many more possibilities!!

It’s no secret that I adore lemongrass.  I love the smell and I love the taste.  It up’s the freshness game big time and it pairs well with so many of my other faves like garlic and ginger.  Now when I moved to Calgary, I found lemongrass hard to find or the quality wasn’t all that great at times.  My fall back plan (prepare to groan) was either powdered lemongrass or that lemongrass paste that comes in the tube from Gourmet Garden.  Suddenly…I could no longer find that paste ANYWHERE in Canada.  Seriously, if I was on a business trip somewhere I would make a point of scouring grocery stores to look for it with absolutely no luck…Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton…NO WHERE!  I finally contacted the company to ask as it was still listed on their website and they informed me that they no longer distribute to Canada.  PANIC !!  I know it’s not ideal but it was always my quick fall back plan.

So I decided I needed to take matters in to my own hands.  I decided to make my own.  I visited a few markets and finally found some great quality lemongrass stalks so I bought several sticks and made my way back home determined to figure this out.

I removed the outer layer of the stalk first and then I started chopping (probably used about 6 stalks) in to tiny pieces.  It measured to about 2.5 cups chopped.

Next I placed it all in to my Vitamix Blender with a nub of peeled ginger (chop it in to fine pieces before placing in the blender as this will help it blend better) and a little bit of water to help bring it to a paste.

I pulsed the heck out of it until it was a creamy paste.  It smells awesome.  I placed it in a small mason jar and placed it in my fridge as I planned to do some lemongrass chicken bowls and a wicked salad dressing this week.  I would say this would last for about 2 weeks in your fridge.

I had lots left over so I decided to try something in order to not waste it.  I placed the paste flat in a zip loc bag and then put it in my freezer.

I am pleased to say that this genius idea turned out to be a massive timesaver.  Basically, any time i need a bit of lemongrass in something, I break off a corner or a chunk, let it thaw and then use it in whatever i’m making.  Brilliant.  Seriously, doing this little bit of work up front, saves lots of time and makes sure I always have lemongrass on hand.  You.are.welcome!

Recipe-Lemongrass Paste

Ingredients

• 6 stalks of lemongrass (chopped fine)
• 1-1.5 inch chunk of peeled fresh ginger, chopped in to pieces
• 2 tbsp of water

Directions

1. Put all ingredients in high speed blender
2. Pulse in to a paste.
3. If it gets stuck…add a bit more water and blitz…this should help things get moving again.

Hope this little bit of effort saves you time in the future and ups your creative game.  Any chance I have to use lemongrass…I take it.