Ingredient: Lemongrass
Origin: Asia

With a unique texture and recognizable flavor, lemongrass is a special ingredient you should get to know. Lemongrass is a part of the grass family and flourishes in tropical regions of the world. Each stalk has many layers, similar to leeks, and has a mild citrus flavor. Try using lemongrass in stews, soups, marinades and even steeped in hot tea.

To use lemongrass, remove the root end and peel off any outside layers that are dirty or damaged. Then thinly slice the inside layers for ready-to-eat dishes or bruise the lemongrass stalks and cut them into larger, 1 inch pieces. This will give you all the flavor without you having to actually eat the ingredient. Look for lemongrass in the refrigerated produce section of your local Asian market.