Lemon Verbena, a fragrant herb native to South America, is cherished for its strong lemon scent and flavor. This versatile herb is commonly used in culinary applications, herbal teas, and aromatherapy. Lemon verbena helps to reduce stress and support digestion, making it a valuable addition to many dishes.
Hoi An cuisine is renowned for incorporating unique herbs and spices, including lemon verbena. Mộc Garden restaurant proudly features dishes with lemon verbena, delivering rich flavors and health benefits to diners. Masterchef Pham Tuan Hai has skillfully utilized the flavor of lemon verbena in the dishes at Mộc Garden, creating appealing and unique Hoi An specialties.
The dishes at Mộc Garden restaurant that use lemon verbena as an ingredient include:
- Prawn Salad with “Rau Ma” & Peppermint Sauce: A delicate combination of seared prawns, pennywort, lemon verbena, and peppermint sauce, providing a refreshing taste.
- Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Spicy Shrimp: A creamy pumpkin soup combined with spicy shrimp and the distinctive aroma of lemon verbena, creating a unique flavor.
- Three Kinds of Smoked Salmon with Passion Fruit Herb Sauce: Smoked salmon with kaffir lime leaves, lemon verbena, and passion fruit herb sauce, offering a delightful culinary experience.
- Baked Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce: Baked chicken combined with vegetables, pastry crust, lemon verbena, and creamy mushroom sauce, creating a unique flavor.
- Braised Pork Belly with Fried Cassava: Braised pork belly with pepper sauce, fish sauce, lemon verbena, and fried cassava, providing a rich and flavorful taste.
- Braised Lamb Shank with Mushroom Sauce and “Rau Ram” Risotto: Braised lamb shank with mushroom sauce and risotto flavored with lemon verbena and Vietnamese coriander, offering a distinctive culinary experience.
- Coconut Sponge Cake: A soft and sweet coconut sponge cake, creating a perfect dessert.
By incorporating lemon verbena, Mộc Garden restaurant offers a modern twist on traditional Hoi An cuisine, emphasizing the use of Hoi An herbs and spices to provide a delightful culinary experience.