Description

A simple and refreshing Indian-inspired lemon rice recipe that combines aromatic basmati rice with tangy lemon juice, vibrant turmeric, crunchy peanuts, and fragrant curry leaves. Perfect as a light meal or a flavorful side dish, this recipe is quick to prepare and sure to brighten up your dining table.

Ingredients

Rice

1 cup long-grain basmati rice
Salt to taste (for boiling water)

Tempering & Flavoring

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
Juice of 2 medium lemons
Salt to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the Rice: Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Boil the rice in salted water for approximately 15 minutes or until tender. Once cooked, 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 fresh curry leaves, cooking until the mustard seeds start to crackle and the curry leaves become fragrant. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes.
Sauté Chilies and Turmeric: Add the finely chopped green chilies and turmeric powder to the pan. Stir continuously for about one minute to release their flavors without burning the spices.
Combine Ingredients: Gently fold in the roasted peanuts followed by the cooked basmati rice into the pan. Mix carefully to combine the ingredients evenly without breaking the rice grains.
Add Lemon and Season: Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the rice mixture. Stir well to ensure the tangy citrus flavor is evenly distributed. Adjust the salt to taste and mix once again.
Rest and Serve: Allow the lemon rice to rest for about five minutes, letting the flavors meld together. Serve the lemon rice warm as a delightful side or a light main dish.

Notes

Rinsing basmati rice properly improves texture and prevents clumping.
You can substitute peanuts with cashews or roasted chickpeas for variation.
Adjust green chilies according to desired spice level.
Using fresh lemon juice is key to achieving the bright citrus flavor.
If you prefer vegan oil options, coconut oil adds a subtle sweetness.
This dish pairs well with yogurt or a simple vegetable curry.