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Indian lemon rice in a pot.
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4.67 from 3 votes

10 Minute Indian Lemon Rice Stovetop

South Indian lemon rice is a delicious comfort food with light spices and a tangy, refreshing taste.  It’s traditionally made in ten minutes using leftover rice, but you could make a fresh batch if you’d like to!
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: south indian lemon rice
Servings: 3 people
Calories: 315kcal
Author: Shilpa Joshi

Equipment

  • 1 medium pot

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp chana dal
  • 1 tsp urad dal
  • 2 dry red chilies
  • 2 green chilies halved, cut into thirds if you want to remove before eating. chopped finely if you don't mind the added heat.
  • 4 tbsp cashew halves 50g
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 cups rice cooked 250g (1/2 cup dry approximately yields 2 cups)

Instructions

  •  ➜ Heat oil in a pan (I used non-stick) on medium heat: add mustard seeds once hot and let them pop/splutter for a minute.  Then, add asafoetida.
    Mustard seeds in oil in pan.
  • ➜Dals: Next, chana dal and urad dal go in. Give them a mix and about one minute.
    Urad dal and chana dal added to pan.
  • ➜Chilies: Add dry red chilies and green chilies to the pan.  Mix.  Let cook for about 30 seconds.  You’ll see the dals have begun to lightly brown and the green chilies will blister.
    Green chilies and dry red chilies added to tempering.
  • ➜Cashews:  Add cashew nuts and mix.  Give it a minute, you’ll begin to see them brown.  If needed, slightly lower the heat so the dals don’t burn.
    Cashews added to pan.
  • ➜Curry leaves: Add to tempering, they should crisp pretty quickly.  Then lower the temperature between low and medium.
    Fresh curry leaves in tadka.
  • ➜Turmeric powder: Mix turmeric into the tempering of oil.
    Turmeric powder in pan.
  • ➜Rice: Mix in the rice. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water.
    Cooked basmati rice added to pan.
  • ➜Finish:  Add salt, sugar, and lemon juice.  Mix well. Turn off the gas and take off the heat. Usually served room temperature.
    Indian lemon rice.

Notes

Optionally top with coriander leaves (cilantro) or a few fresh curry leaves.

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 688mg | Potassium: 140mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 33IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 3mg