Lemongrass Seafood Stew

COCONUT FISH STEW WITH BASIL AND LEMONGRASS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, until shallots are softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in stock, coconut milk, lemongrass, jalapeño, vinegar, fish sauce, sugar, salt and lime zest. Simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir in seafood and herbs. Cook 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in lime juice and serve, with rice if desired. (Note: Without rice it's more soup than stew.)

SIMPLE THAI-STYLE LEMONGRASS SHRIMP SOUP

Steps:

• Cut off the dry end and a few top leaves of the lemongrass stem.
• Bruise the stem with the handle of a knife and cut into 1-inch long pieces.
• Reserve.
• Bruise the chilies, cut them in half, scoop out and discard the seeds.
• Reserve the chilies.
• Bring the water to boil.
• Add lemongrass and ginger, and squeeze out half the lime into the water.
• Boil 2-3 minutes.
• Add fish sauce and chili-garlic paste.
• Cook for another minute.
• Add tomatoes and mushrooms.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes (or longer, until it boils and the tomatoes start to fall apart).
• Squeeze the other half of the lime into the soup.
• Take off the heat.
• Add the chilies and let stand a few seconds, then add the shrimp.
• Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.
• Leave lemongrass, ginger and chilies in the soup and either try to pour the soup without them, or, better, pour the soup with chunks of lemongrass and ginger in it and warn your guests not to eat these.
• They do add flavour when left in the soup while you eat it.

THE BEST LEMONGRASS SHRIMP

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet (possibly 12" skillet) over medium high heat; add butter, garlic, lemongrass, shallot and pinch of salt. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, stir occasionally.
• Meanwhile, mix fish sauce, honey, thai chili and black pepper in a small mixing bowl to make sauce. Set aside.
• Add the shrimp into the skillet, stir well so the shrimp will be coated evenly with the butter and aromatics. Spread the shrimp evenly as possible and cook for 2 minutes or until it's half way cooked through.
• Pour the sauce mixture and stir. Cook for additional 2 minutes or until shrimps are fully cooked. (adjust cooking time if you are using smaller size shrimp than U/15.) Remove from heat and serve immediately. Enjoy with my Garlic Noodle or Garlic Rice!

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN CURRY (CA RI GA)

Steps:

• Marinate the chicken with salt, stock powder, sugar, black pepper, and yellow curry powder for at least 15 minutes. For larger cuts of chicken or drumsticks, marinate at least 2 hours or overnight in the fridge for best results.
• In a medium skillet or wok with lid, add vegetable oil and heat on medium-high. Add lemongrass, garlic, shallots, and lime/lemon/bay leaves. Saute for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Toss marinated chicken in the aromatic mixture until evenly coated. Add water. Cover with a lid and simmer on medium-low for 30 minutes. Stir chicken occasionally in the liquid as needed for even cooking. For larger cuts of chickens, cook for an additional 15 minutes.
• Add coconut milk, potatoes, carrots, and onions. Continue to cover the skillet/wok with a lid but leave a small opening to prevent the coconut milk from boiling over. Simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. Remove lemon leaves and discard.
• Season to taste with salt, fish sauce, and sugar, if needed. Garnish with thinly sliced cilantro, green onions, or lemon/limes leaves. Serve over a bowl of steamed rice, rice noodles, or on the side of a warm baguette to soak up that amazing flavor.

LEMONGRASS SEAFOOD STEW

Steps:

• In a medium stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring, until translucent but not brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, fish sauce, lemongrass, and serrano pepper, and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add stock and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
• Add shrimp, fish, mussels, and the cilantro. Cover, and cook just until fish is opaque and mussels open, 2 to 3 minutes. Ladle over rice, and garnish with diced cucumber and a wedge of lime.