Description
This Easy and Delicious Lemon Rice recipe combines fragrant basmati rice with fresh lemon juice, turmeric, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and crunchy peanuts for a vibrant, flavorful South Indian-inspired dish that comes together quickly and makes a perfect light meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- 1 cup long-grain basmati rice
- Salt to taste
- Water for boiling
Tempering and Flavorings
- 2 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 10–12 fresh curry leaves
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts
- 2 medium lemons, juiced
Instructions
- Cook the rice: Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. In a pot, bring salted water to a boil, then add the rinsed rice and cook for about 15 minutes or until the rice is tender. Drain any excess water and let the rice rest covered for 5 minutes to steam and fluff up.
- Prepare the tempering: Heat the vegetable or coconut oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and wait until they begin to crackle and pop, which releases their flavor. Then add the fresh curry leaves and sauté briefly until fragrant.
- Add spices and aromatics: Stir in the finely chopped green chilies and turmeric powder to the tempering. Sauté the mixture for about one minute, being careful not to burn the spices, so that the flavors meld well.
- Combine peanuts and rice: Fold in the roasted peanuts into the tempered mixture, then gently add the cooked basmati rice. Mix everything together carefully to ensure the rice grains stay separate and evenly coated with the flavorful tempering.
- Add lemon juice and salt: Drizzle the freshly squeezed lemon juice over the rice and stir well to distribute the citrus brightness throughout. Season with salt to taste and mix thoroughly.
- Rest and serve: Allow the lemon rice to sit for about five minutes, letting all the flavors meld together. Serve the dish warm as a satisfying light main course or as a side dish to complement your meal.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor impact.
- Adjust green chili quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Roasted peanuts add a pleasant crunch and nuttiness; you can substitute with cashews if desired.
- Ensure rice is fluffy and not mushy by properly rinsing and draining after cooking.
- This dish is excellent as leftover and tastes great cold or reheated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Rice Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: South Indian
