Lemon Rice is a popular variety/festive rice from the South of India.Citrus flavored and mildly spiced Lemon rice can be served with any side dish be it a stir fried veggie dish (like the ridge gourd dish you see in the picture below) or any meat or fish dish ( like the fried fish you see below ). In other words, you get served sunshine in a bowl.
It is a hit in any lunch menu for the main course. It can also be served with any North American, Mexican or European Main course meal along with steak or roasted vegetables.It serves as a great side to skewered shrimp, chicken roast, fried or baked fish.
Lemon Rice is a quick & easy variety rice to prepare, be it for festive lunches or as a lunch box option for kids to take to school.It is vegan friendly, gluten free and a great choice as a travel food in the South of India.
Made with left over rice from the previous day, is a very smart choice to prevent food wastage.The citrus in it adds the required Vitamin C, while the peanuts offer the proteins, while rice adds to the carb portion, it is a well balanced meal option.
Offered in temples as ‘prasadham’ or blessed food, also known as ‘Chitranna’ or festive rice. Some of my fond memories of having it is wrapped in plantain leaves with mango pickle as a side while traveling or on road trips, thus a perfect travel food.
South India is famous for its many types of “variety rice” prepared & each one carries its own unique flavors.
It is a perfect choice for vegans & meat eaters, coz it fits into either one of categories with ease. Be it with a veggie side or a fish or meat dish, it blends in very well as a main course meal.
If your choice is meat or fish, here are some suggestions for you to combine it with, try it for yourself. Chicken Satay perhaps ? Maybe Chicken Ghee Roast or with Baked Chicken Drumsticks? Chicken Vindaloo did you say? Would it be skewered prawns? How about a quick & easy simple fried fish? Perhaps Mussel Meat Stir Fry ? The choice of a side is endless, hence this Lemon Rice is versatile & can go with any dish to fill your appetite.
Lemon Rice
5
minutes10
minutes1478
kcal15
minutesIngredients
2 cups 2 Cooked Rice From leftover or cooked & cooled
1 tbsp 1 Coconut Oil
Peanuts a handful
2 2 Lemons juice
3 3 -5 Green Chilies slit lengthwise
1 1 Onion
1 1 ‘ Ginger julienned
1/2 tsp 1/2 Turmeric powder
a few a few Cilantro/Coriander leaves to garnish
- For Seasoning/Tempering
1/2 tsp 1/2 Coconut Oil
1/2 tsp 1/2 Mustard seeds
2 2 -3 Dry red Chilies
A few A few Curry Leaves
1/2 tsp 1/2 Channa Dhal
1/2 tsp 1/2 Uradh Dhal
Directions
- Use left over rice or rice that is cooked and cooled
- In a wok/pan add some ol saute onions till light brown along with green chilies & ginger.
- Next add the seasoning items one by one into the wok or you can do seasoning separately & pour into the rice.
- Next add the peanuts & fry for a few minutes untl they turn golden brown.
- To this add the cooked rice or left over rice, separating them gently with a fork or spoon, so they don’t stick to each other. The oil will help separate the rice grains.
- Next squeeze the lime/lemon juice on to the rice adding a bit of salt to taste
- Garnish with Cilantro/ coriander leaves on top.
- Remove from stove & serve with a side of stir fried veggies, fish or meat. Goes well with any combo!
Nutrition Facts
- Amount Per ServingCalories1478
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 25g 39%
- Saturated Fat 16g 80%
- Sodium 588mg 25%
- Potassium 4607mg 132%
- Total Carbohydrate 302g 101%
- Dietary Fiber 33g 132%
- Sugars 31g
- Protein 30g 60%
- Vitamin C 227%
- Calcium 27%
- Iron 44%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Bursting with lemon flavor, this is a delicious way to turn your plain left over rice into a delicious exotic dish for any lunch menu .Topping it wide with herbs adds to the healthy option it already offers in plenty. Won’t you give it a try today ?
Some of the links to my blogposts on published variety rice are attached below for your interest :
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/curd-ricethayir-sadham/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/pineapple-fried-rice/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/spinach-rice/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/zucchini-rice/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/green-peas-pulao-2/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/vegetable-pulao/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/green-peas-pulao/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/mushroom-biryani/