Lemon Rice Recipe: A Traditional South Indian Dish with Simple Ingredients

Lemon rice is a popular dish from Tamil Nadu, a coastal state in South India. This tangy and flavourful rice dish is often enjoyed as a side or main meal. It combines cooked white rice with a zesty lemon flavour, enhanced by spices and nuts. The dish is simple to prepare and offers a delightful taste experience.

• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 3 tbsp sesame oil (also known as til or gingely oil)
• 2 tbsp split peas
• 2 tbsp groundnuts (peanuts)
• ½ tsp asafoetida (heengh/perungayum)
• 3-4 dry red chillies, broken into pieces
• 4-5 curry leaves
• 2 lemons, juiced, or 4 tbsp lemon concentrate
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• ¾ tbsp salt

• Frying pan
• Spoon for mixing

Procedure

1. Heat the sesame oil in a frying pan.
2. Add groundnuts and split peas. Fry them until they turn golden brown.
3. Add mustard seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, and red chillies. Wait until the mustard seeds start to sputter.
4. Add salt, turmeric powder, and lemon concentrate to the mixture.
5. Let the mixture boil and reduce slightly.
6. Remove the pan from the stove. Add the mixture to the cooked rice and mix well.

Nutritional Values

Lemon rice can be served with potato chips or pickles for added flavour. For a richer taste, you can roast and add one teaspoon of sesame seeds. Adding a little oil to raw rice before cooking can improve its texture. This simple yet delicious dish is perfect for any meal of the day.