Lemon Rice

Lemon rice is a tangy and flavorful South Indian dish made with cooked rice, seasoned with a tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, lentils, and flavored with lemon juice.

Here’s a detailed recipe:

Ingredients:

For Cooking Rice:

• 1 cup basmati rice or any long-grain rice
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For Seasoning/Tempering:

• 2-3 tablespoons oil (preferably sesame or peanut oil)
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon split urad dal (black gram lentils)
• 1 teaspoon chana dal (split Bengal gram lentils)
• 8-10 curry leaves
• 2-3 green chilies, slit lengthwise
• 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts (optional)
• Salt to taste

For Lemon Mixture:

• Juice of 2 lemons (adjust to taste)
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for extra flavor)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)

Instructions:

1. Wash the rice thoroughly and soak it for 20-30 minutes. Drain the water completely.
2. In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the soaked and drained rice along with salt. Cook the rice until it’s done. Once cooked, spread it on a plate or a large tray to cool. This helps in getting individual grains of rice without sticking.
3. In a pan or skillet, heat oil on medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
4. Add urad dal and chana dal. Sauté until they turn golden brown.
5. Add curry leaves, slit green chilies, and asafoetida. Sauté for a minute until the curry leaves turn crisp.
6. Add turmeric powder and mix well. Add roasted peanuts (if using) and stir for a minute.
7. Add the cooked and cooled rice to the pan. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the rice is evenly coated with the tempering. Add salt to taste.
8. Turn off the heat and let the rice cool down slightly.
9. In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice and zest. Pour this lemon mixture over the rice and gently toss to combine.
10. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves (cilantro).
11. Serve the lemon rice warm or at room temperature. It pairs well with yogurt, pickle, or any curry of your choice.

Note: Adjust the quantity of lemon juice according to your taste preference. You can also add grated ginger for additional flavor while sautéing the tempering ingredients.