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A plate of lemon rice garnished with curry leaves, roasted peanuts, mustard seeds, and chopped green chiles, served on a white dish with a soft light background.

Sunshine Lemon Rice

A bright and flavorful South Indian-inspired lemon rice, packed with crunchy peanuts, aromatic curry leaves, and a citrusy kick.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine South Indian, Vegetarian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • 10-inch skillet or kadai
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Microplane zester
  • Fine-Mesh Strainer
  • Medium saucepan with lid
  • Kitchen Towel

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked basmati rice preferably day-old and cold
  • 1 tbsp peanut or sunflower oil
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • ½ tsp black mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp chana dal soaked 10 min and drained
  • 1 tsp urad dal soaked 10 min and drained
  • ¼ cup raw peanuts
  • 8-10 fresh curry leaves
  • 1-2 green chiles slit lengthwise
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
  • 1 lemon zest from 1 lemon
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice about 1.5 lemons
  • ½ tsp salt plus more to taste
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Spread the cold, cooked rice on a tray for 5 minutes to remove surface moisture.
  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add peanuts and cook until golden brown (2 minutes). Push to the side.
  • Melt in the ghee and add mustard seeds. When they pop, stir in chana dal and urad dal. Cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add curry leaves, green chiles, turmeric, hing, salt, and lemon zest. Add 1 tbsp water to hydrate the turmeric.
  • Add the rice and gently fold until all grains are coated and yellow.
  • Remove from heat and drizzle in lemon juice. Cover with a towel and let rest 3 minutes.
  • Fluff the rice, adjust seasoning if needed, and sprinkle with chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

Day-old rice works best for texture. Add sugar (½ tsp) to round out acidity, or cashews instead of peanuts. Substitute sunflower seeds for nut-free version.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 6gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 370mgPotassium: 180mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1.8mg
Keyword Chitranna, Easy Indian Rice, Lemon Rice, Peanut Rice, Rice Dish
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