Lemon Rice

Lemon RiceNew3

If you like the tart, citrusy note of lemon, I am sure you will like the lemon rice recipe that I am sharing with you today. It is a simple South Indian rice dish that can be made in a jiffy. I remember my mom making lemon rice whenever we went on our long train journey from Pune to Kerala to visit my grandparents. We could hardly wait for mealtime and lemon rice never tasted better. It keeps well and doesn’t spoil so its great for picnics and packing in your child’s lunchbox.

This recipe is also great when you have leftover rice. I’ve used Basmati rice, but you can use any short-grain or long-grain white rice to make it. Sesame oil, green and red chillies, black gram dal and bengal gram dal add flavor to this dish so make sure that you use them. I had to use six tablespoons of lemon juice because my lemon was not tangy enough. So, taste and adjust the amount of lemon juice that you use. Try this dish and let me know how it turns out.

Lemon Rice
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2-3

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons sesame oil
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
1 tablespoons Bengal gram dal, (channa dal)
1 teaspoon black gram dal, (urad dal)
3 tablespoons raw peanuts
3 dry red chillies, (broken into bits)
1 tablespoons finely chopped green chillies, (depending on heat and your preference)
1/8 teaspoon asafoetida
1 sprig curry leaves
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
salt
6 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups cooked rice, (cool and fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains)

Directions:
Heat a wok (kadai) over medium-high heat. Add sesame oil and when it shimmers add the mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds splutter, add the peanuts and fry them for two seconds. Next add the Bengal gram dal , black gram dal, red chillies and fry until the dal turns light brown. Add the green chillies, asafoetida, curry leaves, turmeric, salt and fry for one second. Turn off the heat and stir in lemon juice. Finally add the cooked rice. Mix well, cover and keep for 20 minutes so that the rice can absorb the flavor from all the ingredients and the lemon juice. Serve with mango pickle and papadum.

6 thoughts on “Lemon Rice

    • Hi Molly,

      Thank you for your comment. It’s a simple recipe that I’m sure you already know how to make.

      Always nice to hear from you. Hope all is well with you and your family.

      Maggie

  1. Oh, my dear Margaret. This looks delicious!! Too bad I cannot try it because it is impossible to find in Venezuela most or the ingredients. I promise to try it when I travel to Spain, where I´m sure I can find everything. Love you.

    • Hi Pilar,

      Wonderful to hear from you. It’s too bad that you can’t find the ingredients. If you come to Washington, stop by and visit me. I will give you all the ingredients to make Indian food.

      Love you more,
      Margaret

  2. Maggie, one of my favorite dishes as it brings back memories of happy travels. I am always trying to improve mine, so it’s exciting to have your recipe. Thank you.

    • Lorna dear,

      I look forward to your comments on my blog and it was wonderful to chat with you on the phone a little while ago.

      If you try my recipe let me know how it turns out.

      Love you,
      Maggie

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