Lemon Rice | Chitranna | South Indian Lemon Rice Recipe
Lemon rice popularly known as Chitranna is a South Indian rice recipe. This is a vegan, beginner-friendly, bachelor friendly, no onion no garlic recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Cooked Rice
- 1-2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons Raw Peanuts
- 1 tablespoon Cashew Nuts
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds (Rai)
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1/4th teaspoon Hing (Asafoetida)
- 2 tablespoons Urad Dal (Split Black Gram)
- 2 tablespoons Chana Dal (Split Chickpeas)
- 5-6 Curry Leaves
- 2 Green Chillies
- 2 Dry Red Chillies
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons Oil
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp oil, add mustard seeds and let them crackle, add hing (asafotida) and turmeric powder.
- Add urad dal (split black gram), chana dal and saute for a minute.
- Add chopped green chillies, curry leaves, and dry red chilles. Saute for another 15 seconds.
- Add raw peanuts and cashew nuts and roast for a minute or two till the peanuts are crispy.
- Make sure to make this tadka / tempering on low flame as we do not want our spices and herbs to burn.
- Add lemon juice and salt to the tadka.
- Add the cooked rice and mix well.
- Check for seasoning. Cover the rice with the lid and cook for 2-3 minutes on low to medium flame. Stir occasionally.
- Let the rice get steamed perfectly, this way it absorbs the flavours of curry leaves, nuts and spices.
- Lemon rice is ready.
- Serve with pickle, popadum or with solkadi.
Video
Notes
Avoid nuts if you are allergic to them
It’s best to use leftover rice for making this recipe instead of making fresh rice.
You can make this with freshly steamed rice as well but in that case, make sure that the rice is fully cooled down to room temperature. In case you have kept the rice in the fridge, then thaw it for about 20 minutes before preparing the dish.
Normally short-grain rice is preferred to make this recipe, but you can use any rice that is available at your home. I have used basmati rice here.
Adjust lemon juice as per your choice. I like my rice quite tangy, hence I ended up adding 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
