Indian Lemon Rice

  • 15m Prep Time
  • 20m Cook Time
  • 35m Ready In

Add this recipe to a meal plan

Build a week of meals and watch your shopping list grow - no account needed to try it.

  • Cuisine : Indian
  • Course : Side Dish

4 servings This flavorful South Indian–style rice dish is loaded with fragrant seeds, spices, and fresh curry leaves. While some of the ingredients are hard to find at a regular supermarket, a trip to an Indian grocery store should do the trick. You may also use 3 ½ to 4 cups leftover rice in this dish, heating until warmed through.

Ingredients

Servings:
  • 1½ cups jasmine rice
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons raw peanuts
  • 2 teaspoons chana dal (split chickpeas), urad dal, or split yellow lentils
  • 1 teaspoon brown or yellow mustard seeds
  • (½ teaspoon cumin seeds)
  • 15 fresh curry leaves
  • 2 serrano peppers, seeded and minced
  • (3 dried red Indian chiles)
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • (Pinch of asafoetida)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Chopped cilantro

Let's Prepare

Collect

Gather these ingredients - no prep needed yet.

  • 1½ cups jasmine rice
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons raw peanuts
  • 2 teaspoons chana dal (split chickpeas), urad dal, or split yellow lentils
  • 1 teaspoon brown or yellow mustard seeds
  • (½ teaspoon cumin seeds)
  • 15 fresh curry leaves
  • 2 serrano peppers, seeded and minced
  • (3 dried red Indian chiles)
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • (Pinch of asafoetida)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Chopped cilantro

Let's Cook

  1. Step 1.

    Cook: 1½ cups jasmine rice

  2. Step 2.

    Once cooked, but while the rice is still warm, heat in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  3. Step 3.

    Add and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned: 3 tablespoons raw peanuts

  4. Step 4.

    Stir in and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mustard seeds start to pop: 2 teaspoons chana dal (split chickpeas), urad dal, or split yellow lentils; 1 teaspoon brown or yellow mustard seeds; (½ teaspoon cumin seeds)

  5. Step 5.

    Cautiously stir in (the leaves may sputter): 15 fresh curry leaves; 2 serrano peppers, seeded and minced; (3 dried red Indian chiles); 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; ¾ teaspoon salt; (Pinch of asafoetida)

  6. Step 6.

    Stir in: 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  7. Step 7.

    Immediately add the cooked rice, stirring well to evenly coat the rice with the seasoning mixture. Remove from the heat and garnish with: Chopped cilantro

Ratings & reviews

Have you made this? Take a moment and let us know what you think. Sign in to leave a rating.