Lemon Rice
Lemon Rice with step by step pictures and video recipe.
I love South Indian food and I prefer rice dishes for my dinner. I feel delighted to see the wide variety of rice preparation that’s prepared in different regions of South India.
These rice recipes like are very quick and easy to make and we can never get bored of eating the rice. These recipes also make for good use of leftover rice.
Lemon rice or Chitranna is from Karanataka state and is widely popular there.
The flavour of lemon enhances the taste and adds nutritional value to the dish.
Lemon Rice
My sister makes amazing lemon rice, which she learnt from her South Indian friend. I got the recipe from her and I have been using this recipe ever since.
Please do follow the recipe to the T to get the exact taste of restaurant-style lemon rice at home.
It might remind you of the exact flavours that you might have tried on your trip to South India sometime.
Other Rice Recipes -
Hyderabadi Veg Dum Biryani Recipe
South Indian Style Curd Rice Recipe
Buttery Basil Burnt Garlic Rice
Video Recipe -
Ingredients required for Lemon Rice -
Lemon Rice Ingredients
Boiled Rice (Chawal)
Oil
Mustard Seeds (Rai)
Urad Dal (Split & Skinless Black Lentils)
Roasted Chana Dal (Roasted Split Chickpea)
Roasted Peanut (Mungfali)
Curry Leaves
Whole Red Chilli
Chopped Green Chilli
Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
Salt to taste
Lime Juice
How to Prepare for Lemon Rice –
Boil the rice in advance and keep ready. You can also use leftover rice for this recipe. Make sure the rice is hot before using for this recipe.
Keep all the remaining ingredients ready as it’s a quick recipe and you’ll need everything in hand to get the best results.
Most important is to switch off the flame right after adding lemon to the tempering.
How to make Lemon Rice –
Heat oil in a pan. Splutter mustard seeds. Add urad dal and roasted chana dal. Cook for 2 mins. Next add curry leaves, whole red chilli, green chilli, roasted peanuts and turmeric powder. Mix well.
Add lime juice, switch off the flame. Add boiled rice and salt. Mix well and serve hot.
What makes it healthy –
Rice is healthy in many ways. It's light and easy to digest. It is very less in fat and is a good source of manganese, phosphorous, folic acid and iron.
Lemon is rich in vitamin C.
With all these nutritious ingredients makes this dish healthy and delicious.
What kind of rice is preferred for this recipe –
I prefer white rice for this recipe. Basmati rice is my go-to rice for any recipe but at times dubraj, bullet, Indrayani are good for a change.
I would not recommend brown rice for this recipe as it won’t give the same flavour as white rice.
Lemon Rice
Things to keep in mind while making Lemon Rice –
1. Make sure the rice is hot before using for this recipe.
2. Switch off the flame right after adding lemon, and then add boiled rice. This will give the authentic taste.
3. Cook urad dal and chana dal on a low flame till done.
4. Do not use chillies if making for kids.
5. The temperature should neither too hot nor too cold for this recipe. Regulate the temperature accordingly.
How to serve Lemon Rice –
Lemon rice is a complete dish in itself. It makes for quick and light weekday dinner recipe.
Though, you can serve it for lunch as a side dish along with sambar, rasam, curd, vegetable of your choice, roti/puri, curd, pickle, papadam and salad to make a complete South Indian meal.
In Karnataka, it is served as a part of daily meals.
Step by Step Recipe of Lemon Rice -
1. Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter.
2. Next, add urad dal and roasted chana dal.
3. Cook for 2-3 mins on a low flame.
4. To it, add curry leaves, whole red chilli, green chilli, roasted peanuts and turmeric powder. Mix well.
5. Next, add lime juice. Switch off the flame and mix well.
6. Finally, add boiled rice and salt. Mix well.
7. Serve hot.
If you try this recipe please do let me know in the comment section. I would be happy to receive your feedback on my Social Media channels – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
You can also pin this recipe on Pinterest for later referral.
Please do Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for updates on video recipes.
Lemon Rice
Equipment
- Wok /Kadai/ Pan (Any One)
- Ladle
Ingredients
- 1 Bowl Boiled Rice
- 1 Tbsp Oil -
- 1 Tsp Mustard Seeds (Rai)
- 1 Tbsp Urad Dal
- 2 Tbsp Roasted Chana Dal
- 1 Tbsp Roasted Peanut
- Curry Leaves
- Whole Red Chilli
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Green Chilli Optional
- 1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter.
- Next, add urad dal and roasted chana dal.
- Cook for 2-3 mins on a low flame.
- To it, add curry leaves, whole red chilli, green chilli, roasted peanuts and turmeric powder. Mix well.
- Next, add lime juice. Switch off the flame and mix well.
- Finally, add boiled rice and salt. Mix well.
- Serve hot.
Video
Notes
Facts about Rice –
(reference Google)
1. Rice is an edible starchy cereal grain
2. Rice can be white, yellow, golden, brown, purple, red or black in colour.
3. Rice symbolizes life and fertility. It is often thrown above the heads of newlyweds after the wedding ceremony to ensure a happy life.
4. In 2008, a craze was started in Japan for rice-filled bags called ‘Dakigokochi’ for newborn babies. They were shaped like a bundled baby and printed with the newborn’s face and name.
5. In India, rice is associated with prosperity and with the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.
6. A Taiwanese artist has carved a portrait of the new Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a grain of rice.
Origin & Production of Rice -
1. The known account of rice was in china about 2800BC.
2. Rice has the highest worldwide production.
3. There are more than 40,000 varieties of rice that grow on every continent except on Antarctica.
4. Nearly half the world’s population eats rice as part of their staple diet.
5. It takes 1260 litres of water to grow 500g rice.
