Lemon rice is a popular South Indian Rice recipe. The dish is complete in it self or it can be eaten with curd, raita or any chutney and is a wonderful way to use left over rice. A tadka of mustard seeds, lentils, peanuts, cashew nuts and curry leaves is made and is added to the cooked rice. Lemon juice is added at the end to give it a slight tangy taste. Here is the recipe to make this simple Lemon Rice.


All you need is

Rice - 1 cup
Sesame oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1\2 tsp
Urad dal \ Split Black lentil - 1 tsp
Chana dal \ Split bengal gram - 1 tsp
Green chili - 2 ( slit into half )
Dry red chilies - 3-4
Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
Heeng - 1\4 tsp
Peanuts - 1\4 cup
Cashew nuts - 6-8
Salt to taste
Turmeric powder - 1\2 tsp
Lemon juice - 2 tbsp


Method of preparation

Wash the rice and soak for 20 minutes.
Drain the water.
Add rice and fluff the cooked rice with a spoon.
Keep aside.
Dry roast the peanuts and cashew nuts till slightly browned.
Keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan.
When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds, urad dal and chana dal.
Cook till dals are slightly browned.
Add green chili, dry red chili, curry leaves and heeng. Cook for 10 seconds.
Add the roasted peanuts, cashew nuts, salt and turmeric powder.
Cook for 10 seconds.
Add the cooked rice and lemon juice and mix well.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Serve hot with plain curd, raita or coconut chutney.