Lemon Rice / Elumicham sadham / Nimbu chawal

Lemon rice is the most popular variety rice of South India. It is a very simple to make. The flavor of lemon and the unique yellow color of the dish makes it more attractive. Also it is very delicious. Rice is a good source of complex Carbohydrates, that gives us energy, Vitamin B and low in Fat.  It improves Bowel movement and provides energy instantly.  Similar to Curd rice most of the Lunch boxes are stuffed with Lemon Rice in South India. Lets see how to make this simple yet tasty dish. 

INGREDIENTS

1. Boiled Rice/Steamed Rice- 2 cups (grains should not be sticky)
2. Lemon - 1
3. Dry Red Chillies - 2
4. Curry Leaves 
5. Garlic pods - 1(optional)
6. Urad dhal/Ulutham parupu - 1/2 spoon (optional)
7. Split Roasted Peanuts/Groundnuts - 2 spoons (optional)
8. Chana dhal/Kadalai paruppu/Bengal gram - 1/2 spoon
9. Turmeric Powder - 1/4 spoon
10. Salt
11. Refined oil/Any cooking oil

PREPARATION METHOD

• Extract lemon juice from the lemon. Remove the seeds and keep aside.
• In a pan add 3 spoon of oil, after it heats up add mustard seeds, peanuts/groundnuts, garlic pod and fry well.
• Then add chana dhal/kadala paruppu/bengal gram fry well until brown, then add Urad dhal/Ulutham paruppu and fry until it turns light brown in color. 
• Now add curry leaves, turmeric powder, salt and mix well.
• Finally add lemon juice to the mixture and mix well.
• Turn off the stove and add the boiled/steamed rice to it and mix well. See to that there are no rice clumps formed.
• Serve!!!

TIP 1: The boiled/steamed rice should not be sticky. The grains should be separate. For this when you cook rice you can add 1 spoon oil to it. And do not immediately cook when the rice is still hot. Let it cool, then use it for making lemon rice.

TIP 2: You can increase or decrease the addition of lemon juice to alter the sour taste.

TIP 3: Add the dhals/gram in the order that I have put in the preparation method or else the grains will get overcooked or under cooked. Order is as follows;

1. Peanuts/Groundnuts
2. Chana dhal/Kadala paruppu/Bengal gram
3. Urad dhal/Ulutham paruppu/Black gram

TIP 4: Instead of red chillies you can also add split/chopped green chillies.

TIP 5: If you have raw peanuts, then fry them first in a pan, remove the outer cover and then split them and use them as said in the procedure. Peanuts/Groundnuts are optional but these nuts are a crunchy treat added to the rice.


TIP 6: You can also make this rice with leftover rice. 

Delicious Lemon rice is ready!!! Looks yummy isn't it? Try it today!! You can have it with Red Chilli Coconut Chutney, Potato fries and Boiled egg..

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