Eucalyptus Herbal Vapor

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This is a recipe from Martha Stewart's Body & Soul Magazine, which recommends ImportFood.com as a supplier of kaffir lime leaves. A fragrant, centering treatment that stimulates many senses. It also helps clarify the skin and relieves respiratory congestion. Also see our recipe for Thai herbal bath / body cleanse.

Ingredients

Handful of loose green tea leaves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg powder
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed in a mortar and pestle
handful each of dried organic rosebuds and dried organic chamomile flowers
4 drops eucalyptus essential oil
fresh kaffir lime leaves

Place tea leaves, nutmeg, and coriander seeds in a large French press, coffee pot or teapot. Cover with boiling water and let steep for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat water to steaming but not boiling, enough to fill a large bowl halfway. After steeping, press or strain the tea and herbs, then pour the tea into the steaming water. Add rosebuds and chamomile flowers, then add eucalyptus oil. Float a handful of fresh kaffir lime leaves on top of the water. Drape a fluffy towel over your head and lean over the bowl, creating a "tent" for steaming. Breathe the vapors in through your nose and out through your mouth. Steam for 5-10 minutes.

Kaffir Lime Leaves

Kaffir lime leaf adds an unmistakable, refereshing taste that is essential in many Thai soups & curries. The combination of lemongrass and lime leaf is a fantastic blast of flavor. The leaves have a strong fragrance and flavor that can not really be substituted. To experience the wonderful aroma, sliver the leaves with a knife or scissors and you'll begin to understand just how wonderful this plant is. Kaffir lime leaves grow in doubles. Sizes vary, but the average individual leaf is approx 2" long. Harvesting is done by hand and it's difficult because the branches have long thorns, so they tend to be expensive and not easily found in supermarkets. They freeze very well-just place in a ziplock bag & they'll retain their flavor for months. No need to defrost, just use as normal. Celebrity chef Martin Yan and cooking magazine Bon Appetit recommend buying kaffir lime leaves from ImportFood.com.

Standard Pack 1.5 oz Approx 100 leaves $14.95 (includes shipping)		Large Pack 3 oz Approx 200 leaves $21.95 (includes shipping)

We recommend kaffir lime leaves in the following ImportFood.com Thai recipes:
Thai Prawn Soup With lemon grass, "Tom Yum Goong"
Thai Chicken Soup With Coconut Milk, "Tom Kha Gai"
Thai Vegetarian Coconut Soup with Galanga and Squash
Thai Ginger Chicken Soup, "Tom Khing Gai"
Green Chicken Curry, "Gaeng Khiao Wan Gai"
Penang Chicken Curry, "Penang Gai"
Red Chicken Curry, "Gaeng Phed Gai"
Mock Bean Pods with Shrimp Filling and Sweet Filling, "Khanom Thua Paep"
lemon grass Chicken, "Gai Sai Takrai"
Curried Squid, "Plamuk Pat Phet"
Thai Vegetables in Coconut Milk, "Phak Tom Kati"
Thai Seafood Salad, "Yum Talay"
Thai Sticky Rice Steeped in Coconut Milk, "Khao Neeo Moon"
And a lot more from our Recipe Collection!

See what celebrity chef Martin Yan and cooking magazine Bon Appétit say about kaffir lime leaves from ImportFood.com.

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