Bug Free BBQ
Keep bugs away from the BBQ
Did you know that lemongrass contains citronella, which is a natural oil that repels mosquitoes? As lemongrass warms it releases these oils into the air. Instead of spraying pesticides into the the food you are cooking, try our Lemongrass Skewers with Thai Dipping Sauce.
What is lemongrass?
Lemongrass is a type of grass that is prevalent throughout South East Asian cuisine. This fruity flavored stalk brings vibrant flavors to curries, soups, sauces and of course BBQ. Aside from being a natural bug repellent, lemongrass can be used for:
- Recommended for stomachaches, diarrhea, gas, bowel spasms, vomiting, fever, the flu, and headaches and other types of pain.
- May be applied externally to help treat acne, athlete’s foot, lower back pain, sciatica, sprains, tendinitis, neuralgia, and rheumatism.
Homemade bug repellant
Lemongrass as an ingredient in food is not enough to completely repel insects. Use remaining stalks citronella oil and make a spray out of it. Put some water and lemongrass into a pot, and boil it until the water turns yellow. Cover the pot; put it in one corner, and let it sit overnight. After that, put the mixture in a medium-sized spray, and use it to scatter mosquitoes in the house. Bring the spray camping, backpacking, fishing, anywhere you don’t want to be bugged by bugs.
All-natural lemongrass
This recipe uses Lemongrass in two ways. The first is mixed in with the Thai dipping sauce. The second way is the lemongrass stalk used as a skewer stick. As the lemongrass stalk heats up on the BBQ the citronella oil will release, creating an aroma that repels bugs. This recipe can be prepped at home, stored in a cooler, and brought to tailgates, BBQs, and camping.
Bug Free BBQ: Lemongrass Skewers with Thai Dipping Sauce
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Mosquitos are repelled by the citronella oil in lemongrass. This recipe features lemongrass two ways, in hope that you won't have to share your meal with unwanted pests.
Course:
Main Dish
Cuisine:
BBQ, Firepit/BBQ, Propane Stove
Servings: 10 Skewers
Ingredients
Lemongrass Skewers
- 1 lb. Ground Meat of your choice If you use poultry, take salmonella precautions
- 1/4 cup Cilantro chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic chopped
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 10 stalks Lemongrass 5 halved stalks
Thai Dipping Sauce
- 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 3 cloves Grated Garlic
- 1 tbsp Grated Ginger
- 2 tbsp Chunky Peanut Butter
- 1 tsp Fish Sauce
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tbsp Grated Lemongrass
- 1 Thai Chili, finely chopped can substitute with 1/3 chopped jalapeño
Instructions
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Place ground meat in a large Ziplock bag. Add cilantro, garlic and soy sauce, seal Ziplock. Mix the contents of the bag; mush the ingredients together until everything is blended into the ground meat.
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Wet hands (to prevent meat from sticking). Remove a palm sized ball of meat from the bag and roll until meat sticks together in a ball.
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Stick a length of lemongrass halfway into each ball, then press the meat mixture around the lemongrass to make a shape like a corn dog. Make sure meat is spread evenly throughout the lemongrass stalk, to ensure even cooking.
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Use a non-stick spray or oil to lubricate the cooking surface. Cook skewers over a flame or on a camp stove, and rotate every couple minutes. Depending on the heat of your cooking device, it should take about 8-10 minutes to cook skewer. The skewers are done when the outside is golden and the inside is cooked through.
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Make Thai Dipping Sauce at home and store in the cooler until ready to use. When skewers are ready remove from heat, let cool for a few minutes, bust out the dipping sauce and enjoy!
