Lemongrass and Ginger Jelly

EVENT: A- Z RECIPE CHALLENGE
THEME : A DISH BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER L
My Choice for L is Lemongrass
When it comes to the letter L, one can be spoilt with the number of ingredients one can use right from lemon, lime, lima beans, lentils, licorice, lettuce, lady’s finger, long pepper and the list can go on. In spite of all those choices, I chose to use lemongrass. The slightly lemony and strong fragrance of lemongrass is my favorite.
Why am I focusing on Letter L?
Frankly, its all because of the challenge set by the group A-Z Recipe Challenge, whereby each month we take a letter and make a dish using that letter. The name of the ingredient used should begin with the letter decided and the catch is that it should be its name in English, not Hindi or any other language. This group was started by two fellow bloggers Jolly Makkar and Vidya Narayan.
What is Lemongrass?
Known by several names barbed wire grass, lemon grass, oily heads, Cochin grass, Malabar grass, silky heads, citronella, lemongrass is a lemon scented grass which is widely used in cooking, herbal products like herbal tea, herbal mixes and in beauty products like creams, shampoos, in perfumes etc. It is also used as a natural repellent for mosquitoes. The stems are clustered and the grass blade can grow up to 6-10 feet. While Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand use the white stem base for cooking, the green part is widely used in India and Africa for brewing tea and herbal drinks.
How to use Lemongrass?
While I love boiling chopped lemongrass in water before adding my tea leaves and milk to make a delicious hot tea, I also love using it to make Lemongrass Fruity Tea or Lemongrass and Mint Iced Tea. Red, Yellow and Green Thai curries all use lemongrass besides other herbs and spices. Although I’ve tasted all three during my trip to Thailand, I actually got a chance to make the Yellow Thai Curry with Vegetables with my son. Tom Yum Soup doesn’t taste the same without lemongrass. For fresh homemade Thai Red Curry paste you’ll find Sandhya’s recipe very easy to follow. As for dessert, you’ve got to try out my Lemongrass and Ginger Infused Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream. Have you ever tried Roasted Green Tomato and Lemongrass Dressing? If not click on the link to find out how Mireille makes it. Isn’t that an awesome idea?
How am I using lemongrass for the A-Z Recipe Challenge?
Well, in the dessert form. Yes, you read right, in a simple and yet super flavorful dessert. I infused the water with lemongrass stalk and leaves and used that to make a jelly. Served the jelly with some fresh strawberries and voilà got a light, slightly on the healthier side dessert. Lemongrass and ginger pair very well and for a slightly sweetish taste and to get that ever so light golden colour I added a single strand of saffron into each glass.
Dietary Tips:
- Gluten free
- Vegan
- Satvik friendly as I’ve used agar agar
LEMONGRASS AND GINGER JELLY
Serves 6
4½ cups water
2-3 stalks of lemongrass with the leaves
1 inch fresh ginger
4 tsp agar agar powder or 4 tbsp agar agar flakes
4 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
few strands of saffron
- Add the water into a saucepan.
- Chop the lemongrass into tiny pieces using a sharp knife or a pair of scissors.
- Add it to the water.
- Wash and grate the ginger.
- Add that too to the water.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat. Cover the pan and let the flavors infuse for 15 -30 minutes.
- Strain the lemongrass liquid to remove the lemongrass and ginger.
- Return the strained liquid to the pan.
- Heat it up again.
- Add sugar and mix well till the sugar dissolves.
- Add lemon juice and the agar agar.
- Stir till the agar agar gets dissolved.
- Pour the lemongrass liquid into small bowls, cups or glasses.
- Add a strand of saffron into each glass.
- Let the lemongrass liquid cool a bit at room temperature.
- Put the lemongrass liquid in the fridge to set.
- Just before serving, add chopped fruit of your choice. I used strawberries.
Tips:
- You can replace the sugar with honey, maple syrup or stevia.
- Serve with your choice of fruit.
- You can use any vegetarian or vegan gelatin instead of agar agar.
- If you are using agar agar flakes, stir till the flakes melt. Sometimes a few pieces don’t melt so then its best to strain the liquid before allowing it to set.
- If you don’t want to use ginger then use mint as lemongrass pairs well with mint.
- You can use normal gelatin if you want to.
Pin for later:
A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
52 Comments
shobhakeshwani
February 9, 2020 at 1:53 pm
Jelly is my favourite …I like the colour contrast in this dessert .. and the spoons are beautiful.
mayurisjikoni
February 9, 2020 at 3:59 pm
Thank you so much Shobha, spoons are a present from my daughter, she bought them when she went to Georgia (country).
The Girl Next Door
February 13, 2020 at 9:04 am
Ooooh yum! The jelly looks so perfectly made and inviting!
Love the combination of flavours you have used here – lemon, lemongrass, sugar and ginger. What’s to not love?!
mayurisjikoni
February 17, 2020 at 10:58 pm
Thank you so much Priya.
Mireille Roc (@ChefMireille)
February 13, 2020 at 7:37 pm
These look so pretty and the lemongrass and ginger combination must taste awesome!
mayurisjikoni
February 17, 2020 at 10:56 pm
Thank you so much Mireille, lemongrass and ginger does taste really good.
Flavours Treat
February 26, 2020 at 1:26 am
lemongrass and ginger jelly sounds so decadent and a great way to enjoy this herb. Images are so gorgeous and so tempting. I will definitely try this recipe.
mayurisjikoni
February 26, 2020 at 11:07 pm
Thank you so much Geetha. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Vanitha Bhat
February 14, 2020 at 12:56 pm
Such a beautiful and healthy dessert dear and so pretty too! I have used lemon grass in soups, thai and tea but never desserts! This jelly is to die for; so beautiful, pretty and with fruits/lemon grass, so refreshing too! Perfect share for the theme <3
mayurisjikoni
February 17, 2020 at 10:51 pm
Thank you so much Vanitha. I love the flavour and aroma of lemongrass.
Renu Agrawal Dongre
February 14, 2020 at 3:03 pm
I am definitely making this when I get some Lemon grass here. My son loves jelly, and always want me to make, but somehow I hardly do. Would love to try this as this would be loved by all ages. Loving your beautiful presentation and the spoons, Just wow.
mayurisjikoni
February 17, 2020 at 10:50 pm
Thank you so much Renu, please do make it for your son am sure he will enjoy homemade jelly.
Ankita
February 20, 2020 at 1:33 pm
Ginger flavoured lemongrass jelly sounds interesting. Love your presentation and yes ofcourse the spoons👌👌
mayurisjikoni
February 20, 2020 at 8:27 pm
Thank you so much Ankita.
Niranjana Sankaranarayanan
February 17, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Lemongrass ginger jelly sounds interesting. I am bookmarking this recipe. Would love to try soon.
mayurisjikoni
February 17, 2020 at 10:44 pm
Thanks Niranjana, enjoy the dessert.
poonampagar
February 19, 2020 at 3:32 am
I love ginger lemongrass lemon green tea. Never thought we can transform the flavors to a jelly ! This lemongrass jelly topped with strawberries definitely looks delectable ! Love those spoons !
mayurisjikoni
February 19, 2020 at 2:55 pm
Thank you so much Poonam, its such a light and flavorful dessert.
Rafeeda – The Big Sweet Tooth
February 19, 2020 at 4:01 pm
The flavors of the jelly sounds really interesting… Both very strong flavors and surely complimenting too… I love that it is a light dessert to give after a heavy meal. I may have topped it with some whipping cream to give it a little lift up hehe… Totally love the clicks and those spoons too…
mayurisjikoni
February 19, 2020 at 4:30 pm
Thank you so much Rafeeda, one can add a bit of cream, but I wanted it to be absolutely light.
FoodTrails
February 19, 2020 at 6:16 pm
I love lemongrass in tea, soups and curry but never used in desserts.. Jelly used to be my favourite dessert as kid.. now will soon try out with this different lemongrass and ginger flavor.. Jelly Glasses look so pretty decked with strawberry slices with pretty spoons on side.
mayurisjikoni
February 20, 2020 at 8:30 pm
Thank you so much Swati, I love jelly so am trying to make homemade ones.
Lata Lala
February 21, 2020 at 9:15 pm
The combo of Lemongrass and ginger is so unique. The jelly has set perfect and look so tempting.
I am going to try it soon. Thanks for sharing.
mayurisjikoni
February 23, 2020 at 12:13 am
Thank you so much Lata. Please send a feedback as to how the jelly turned out for you.
Shailender Sharma
February 21, 2020 at 9:33 am
Lemongrass and ginger jelly is looking like a miraculous creation on your end. They look to be taste yum & captured like anything. Superb.
mayurisjikoni
February 23, 2020 at 12:15 am
Thank you so much Shailender.
Batter Up With Sujata
February 21, 2020 at 1:53 pm
What a beautiful dessert. Lemongrass and ginger jelly looks so aromatic and mouthwatering. Never used fresh lemongrass. Now your post tempting me to try it. Loved your spoon.
mayurisjikoni
February 23, 2020 at 12:14 am
Thank you so much Sujata. Lemongrass is one ingredient I use quite often to make tea, iced teas and in desserts.
Sandhya
February 21, 2020 at 11:49 pm
Love the flavor combination in this jelly, Mayuri! And the photos are awesome too!
mayurisjikoni
February 23, 2020 at 12:12 am
Thank you so much Sandhya.
Paarul
February 22, 2020 at 5:49 am
Thats a beautiful one. Lemongrass and ginger is an amazing combination. Loved the idea to make jelly with this. I am not a jelly person but yours has tempted me to try. Will do it soon.Thanks for the recipe.
mayurisjikoni
February 23, 2020 at 12:11 am
Thank you so much Paarul, please give a feedback when you try out the recipe.
cookshideout
February 23, 2020 at 5:03 am
I have never tried lemongrass in a dessert and this sounds so refreshing and delicious. Combination with ginger sounds so exotic too. Jelly looks inviting and perfect for parties.
mayurisjikoni
February 23, 2020 at 10:42 pm
Thank you so much Pavani, lemongrass tastes so refreshing.
Vidya Narayan
February 24, 2020 at 9:42 am
Mayuri, loved how easy the recipe is and you have made great use of lemon grass in this recipe for the Jelly. This would be a great palate cleanser between courses and double up as desserts too. Totally would love a glass or two for the hot summers that I am already dreading!
mayurisjikoni
February 24, 2020 at 4:53 pm
Thank you so much Vidya, try out the dessert during summer, am sure it will be a much welcome refreshing and cooling treat.
Jolly
February 24, 2020 at 11:56 pm
Oh my my that jelly looks so beautiful & yumm!
This looks and sounds really inviting & very refreshing flavours. Loved all the clicks!
mayurisjikoni
February 26, 2020 at 11:08 pm
Thank you so much Jolly.
Aruna
February 26, 2020 at 2:31 pm
I love the aroma of lemongrass and like how you have paired the fresh lemongrass jelly with strawberry. I am loving those manicured maroon nails holding up the glass as well. 😀 😀 😀
mayurisjikoni
February 26, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Thank you so much Aruna..and the manicured hand is definitely not mine.. its my daughter’s.
namscorner18
February 26, 2020 at 9:26 pm
Lemongrass and ginger jelly looks so inviting. I love the ginger flavor in anything and your presentation is so tempting and wish to grab the glass right away. Perfect for parties.
mayurisjikoni
February 26, 2020 at 11:02 pm
Thank you so much Narmadha.
Sasmita Sahoo Samanta
February 29, 2020 at 9:03 am
lemongrass is a eye catchy ingredient for me here first of all. And how simply gorgeous look of this lemongrass and ginger jelly. The lemongrass and ginger combination must taste awesome I am sure 😉
mayurisjikoni
February 29, 2020 at 4:49 pm
Thank you so much Sasmita. Lemongrass and ginger is a combination I often use to make masala tea too so yes its a delicious combination.
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram
February 29, 2020 at 2:28 pm
i love lemon grass jelly in summers, ther are such a refreshing treat. I have to try it with ginger like you have described and absolute yea to the strawberry topping.
mayurisjikoni
February 29, 2020 at 4:48 pm
Thank you so much Seema, what I love about this dessert that its light and goes well with any fruit.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
March 2, 2020 at 6:46 pm
What a lovely recipe with lemongrass. I have never used lemongrass in any other recipe except making Thai curry. The ginger and the lemongrass flavor would have been so refreshing and tropical in feel. Beautiful presentation as well Mayuri!
mayurisjikoni
March 2, 2020 at 7:42 pm
Thank you so much Sandhya, as we get lot of lemongrass in Kenya too, we generally boil lemongrass and ginger in water, add tea leaves and then milk to make a tasty masala tea.
Jagruti’s Cooking Odyssey
March 3, 2020 at 12:56 pm
The aroma of Lemongrass is just so unique and to pair it up with ginger, it’s a great combo. I’m loving that this jelly is made with agar agar.
mayurisjikoni
March 4, 2020 at 8:58 pm
Thank you so much Jagruti.
Sunita
June 24, 2020 at 6:16 am
I’ve just made a batch using gelatin. How long does it take to set?
Thanks so much for sharing this lovely way to use lemongrass. All the best!
mayurisjikoni
June 24, 2020 at 3:09 pm
Thanks Sunita for trying out the recipe, usually gelatin desserts takes at least about 8-10 hours.