People often recommend to use the Basmati Rice for this specialty but I find that Sona Masuri Rice works as good as its rival Basmati. If you are not aware of what Sona Masuri Rice is, visit this website here, here and here for more info. I have only learnt about it after coming here and since then I rarely use Basmati, mainly only for Parties etc.
- 2 cups Rice ( Basmati or Sona Masuri )
- Juice of 1 large lemon ( almost 2 tbsp)
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 3-5 dried red chillies
- Handful of Curry leaves
- 2 tbsp Dry roasted peanuts
- 2 tbsp of Sesame Oil ( it works best, but any other oil can be used )
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tbsp Urad Dal (split black gram)
- A pinch of Asafoetida ( heeng)
How to make?
Wash and soak Rice in warm water for half an hour, drain and keep aside.
Heat Sesame oil in a Pan, splutter Mustard seeds. When it starts popping, add the lentils, Peanuts red chillies, asafoetida and curry leaves. Fry for almost a minute on low flame.
Now add the drained rice and stir it for 30-40 seconds keeping flame low, this will ensure rice keeps separate and grainy
Add 2 1/2 cups of water and lemon juice and cook covered on medium flame for 15-20 minutes. Dont stir in between, just fluff with fork once or twice if necessary to mix.
Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with Dal or Paneer or any Potato Subzi of your choice.
My Notes:
You may skip peanuts, lentils or asafoetida as per your liking
I have seen one of my friend adds grated ginger in this and that turns out well and distinctive too, you may try that
Of course you can make it with leftover plain boiled rice too, keeping the Tadka same and adding lemon juice at the end after adding rice and mixing well.
Preeti suggested me to add a tsp of lemon juice whenever I cook any form of rice, and I have seen following this always leads in fluffy rice.
If you dont have time to soak rice, I would suggest the cheats way of soaking rice in hot water for 5 minutes and then wash it several times to take the starch away. I usually keep it microwave for 2 minutes and then wash 4-5 times
Truly delicious…Such tempting clicks 🙂
I generally avoid rice due to carbs:), but do eat once in a while ,you are making us fall in love with those yummy rice..tempting clicks..
Ongoing Giveaway:-
http://preetyskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-first-giveaway.html
hey Nupur, you have got my tongue tickling with this lemon rice. The next time you make this, add cashews too and a bell pepper chopped finely if you like the flavor. Makes a super lemon rice
Looks delicious.wonderful .cl8cos
Looks tempting .wonderful clicks
Simply delicious and tempting dear…
The color….my goodness!!!! Am so hungry right now dear…gonna grab that bowl of provoking rice now 😉
What, you were a rice hater!! My my, am I glad you like it now:):) Love the colour and the combination of flavours.
Comfort food with potato
Lemon rice is quite like a staple food in our place, lemon rice with potato fry i can survive for many days with it.
My comfort food!!! 🙂
Truly comfortable rice. Love it.
Cuisine Delights
“My Monthly Event – Spotlight: Festive Treats “
looks so tempting and amazing!! Thanks for linking it to my event!! Looking for more yummy recipes!!
Sowmya
I like lemon rice . By Cookscape
I love lemon rice alot.. simple, delicious and I just cant stop eating it. Beautiful Presentation 🙂