Lemon rice is one of the most common dishes from South India, where it also goes by the name chitranna. There are a few variations to making this dish and this is just one of them. This rice is usually eaten alone or with raita, yogurt, chutney, or kosambari (a type of salad). It’s not uncommon for people to pack this rice with them while traveling as it transports well.
This dish gains flavour from using whole seeds that you grind yourself in order to release their oils. You might be tempted to skip that step, but it’s important. You can easily throw together this rice dish if you are in a hurry, as it can be made with leftover rice. Add some poppadoms on the side for a simple yet tasty meal. You can serve this with curries, fish, and chicken. This rice would also be delicious as a side to add something flavourful alongside a lemon and garlic roasted chicken.
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 2 tablespoons Purti vegetable oil, canola, sunflower or sesame cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 3 to 4 curry leaves
- 2 green chills, split lengthwise
- 1 (1-inch) piece ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 cups cooked basmati rice, or leftover rice
- Salt, to taste
How to make Lemon Rice
Step 1: Gather the ingredients.
Step 2: Gently roast and then coarsely grind the coriander seeds into powder. Set aside.
Step 3: Heat the Purti vegetable oil, in a pan and add the mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chills. Fry the mixture until the splattering stops.
Step 4: Add the ginger and peanuts. Fry the mixture for another minute.
Step 5: Add the turmeric powder and turn off the burner.
Step 6: Add the lemon juice and mix well.
Step 7: Add the rice, roasted coriander powder, and salt to taste and mix thoroughly. Enjoy.
Tip
- If you don’t have a mortar and pestle to grind the coriander, you can use a spice grinder or a clean coffee grinder instead. If you opt for a coffee grinder, make sure it’s extremely clean so the flavours of coffee don’t transfer to the spices
