Lemon rice always reminds me of train rides. I am sure some of you associate the two as well because in most cases, whenever we go on an overnight train journey, a small bundle of lemon rice wrapped in wilted banana leaf will be handed over to everyone. We have always had lemon rice with chuttaracha chammanthi, thick coconut chutney ground with smoked red chillies, and curd or raita.
For more authentic South Indian rice recipes, check out this puliogare recipe, thengai sadam (coconut rice), ellu sadam (sesame rice), and carrot rice recipe, an easy lunchbox dish perfect to make a day ahead too.
I also have another distinct memory associated with lemon rice. One of eating it at a temple when I was very little. I forgot where or when but that was probably the best lemon rice I have ever tasted. It’s been ages since I have eaten from a temple but if I see it when I pass by, I am grabbing some!
For more authentic South Indian rice recipes, check out this puliogare recipe, thengai sadam (coconut rice), ellu sadam (sesame rice), and carrot rice recipe, an easy lunchbox dish perfect to make a day ahead too.
On to the Lemon Rice Recipe now.
Lemon Rice
Serves: 2-3
Preparation time: 30 mins
Ingredients:
4 cups cooked rice (leftovers work perfect)
3 tbsp raw peanuts
3/4 tsp turmeric powder
2-3 tbsp juice of lemon or lime
Salt to taste
For tempering:
2 tbsp gingelly oil / nallennai / sesame seed oil (Indian version)
2-3 red chillies torn into halves
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tbsp chana dal / kadala paruppu
A generous pinch of hing / asafoetida / perungaayam
A few curry leaves
Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing (optional)
How to Make Lemon Rice:
1. Heat oil for tempering in a pan and add the peanuts. Roast until nicely browned. Drain and set aside.
2. To the hot oil, add the ingredients for tempering. Take care not to burn the chillies. When the mustard seeds start to pop and the dal has turned a golden brown, add the turmeric powder and salt. Now add peanuts, mix well and remove from fire.
3. Add cooked rice to the above mixture and mix well. Squeeze lime on the rice and mix again. Depending on the lime / lemon you use, the sourness will vary. Make sure you make it slightly more sour than you need it because when you let it sit for an hour or two, the rice will absorb the flavours.
Notes:
– Lemon rice is fantastic to carry with you on a trip. Wrap in banana leaves or pack it in your throwaway containers with some chuttaracha chammanthi and you are set!
– The lemon rice tastes just fine when it turns cold but if serving at home, serve warm.
Wow…simple beauty! We share same recipe somewhat different method and ingredients. Yours rice bowl look so decent Nags.:)
hey, Nags why do people post this recipe and make me feel that I have to eat it right now!, It’s my dream food !, believe it or not all through my pregnency whoever asked me what do you want to eat ? i said chitranna, my MIL used to complain to my hubby because i ate three much of it!, I really have lot of stories when it comes to cinema (chitra) rice…, that’s what we called it some times…, beautiful clicks nag i love them…, looks gorgeous
Wow… Lemon rice always reminds me of going on long trips and taking lemon rice with us to eat during the journey. Looks great!
Lemon rice is gorgeous! It looks perfect!
your lemon rice is making me hungry…the bowls are so cute. nice way to serve rice in this bowl.
I always love to see lemon rice, it’s a pretty dish!
Its really tempting nags.. Ur photography rocks… Always keep starring at ur pictures..keep it up.
I forgot to mention,it’s HB 🙂
Third pic looks so good.I love lemon rice for it’s simpleness. Oh ye I did notice your shell bowls 😀 By the way, check out my food blog. It’s in the making still though.
i never tried adding peanuts..My mom used to add..Next time i will..As usual, great pics:)