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.
great pictures & delicious lemon rice nags …..
Now do you know why I want to beat up N and S? See how they bully me…
I have never had rice in wilted banana leaves in train & I so want to have it. It sounds like a charm:-) with nostalgia. We love lemon rice & most of the time our left over gets converted to this.
Hehe you guys are SO mature 😀
WTH, now SJ copies my comments also?
But I love lemon rice. I love it coz its tangy. And the colour! Ya, whatte colour!
I always have Lemon Rice or tamarind Rice when we go to the temple or to the Udupi restaurants. The color of this rice looks perfect
The 2nd pic looks very good!! As N says “Whatte a colour” !! My mom adds onions to to this.
I am obsessed with lemons! This is wonderful!
Simple recipe but awesome presentation. My friend also makes such tasty lemon rice…
Total comfort food. Lemon Rice is an all time favorite. My mom used to always make this with cashews instead of peanuts. Cashews for Lemon Rice and peanuts was for Puliyogare (Tamarind rice)..and I tend to follow the same 🙂 But looking at your lovely pics, the peanuts, do look tempting. Will try it the next time. Thansk for posting !