What is galangal used for?

[stefania4]

I've never ordered from Penzeys, but I ventured over to the site and poked around. They offer powdered galangal - it looks like something used in Thai cooking, but I don't really know what I'd do with it.

Any experienced galangal users? Did you like it? What did you use it for?

[wallycat]

I've not used it, but it is supposed to be similar to ginger.

[funniegrrl]

Yes, is somewhat similar to ginger, and yes, it is used quite a bit in Thai cooking.

[Lrimerman]

This is what the Penzey's catalog says:

"A close relative of ginger, galangal (aka Laos Powder) is used in Indonesia and SE Asia especially Thailand. The flavor is similar to ginger, but flowery and intense. Use to season curries and soups, for grilling chicken or fish kebobs. From Thailand."

However, I have never tried it.

Lisa

[hAndyman]

I find the flavours of ginger and galangal quite different and try not to use them interchangeably. Galangal is one of the must have ingredients in Thai cooking.
Cheers! Andy

[funniegrrl]

Yes I agree ... while galangal and ginger are related, they're not really interchangable.

[AdGirl]

i've used it when making tom kha ga (coconut chicken soup), but not the powdered kind. i bought it fresh and sliced it, along with lemongrass, for the broth.

i find the flavor to be similar to ginger, which can be used as a substitution in a pinch, but it does have a different element to it that adds that extra bit of authenticity to your thai dish.

fresh galangal, btw, is pretty hard to find (at least in these here parts ;) ) so i would presume that powdered is better than nothing...?