Lemon Rice

An easy and delicious vegetarian rice dish is Lemon rice 🍋 🍚 ~ a traditional South Indian dish that is tangy, crunchy, and full of flavor in every bite! 

It is a great accompaniment to your favorite veggie or meat dishes. And it pairs beautifully with Raita- a simple yogurt dish made with finely diced cucumbers and tomatoes. You can find the ingredients for Lemon rice at your local Indian grocery store. Turmeric and chili powder are some of the main spices used in Indian cooking. Lemon rice, which is a common South Indian dish, is colored a beautiful light yellow because of the turmeric used. Turmeric has been used for hundreds of years in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine to reduce inflammation. It contains curcumin which is a great source of antioxidants. There is no evidence based or conclusive clinical research so far demonstrating use of turmeric for the treatment of medical conditions. Sources also say while turmeric is safe to use in food, people should be cautious when attempting to use it for medical or nutritional supplementation as it may cause side effects. For more about Turmeric and health check out this article by the University of Maryland Medical center: https://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/turmeric

Turmeric is also frequently used in Middle Eastern and Carribbean cuisines. It is usually the main spice in Curry spice mixes. The aromatic flavor of turmeric is so unique and satisfying :) Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think! It is also great to make when you have leftover rice! 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 large red onion, chopped 
• 1/2 teaspoon asafoetida powder (also known as hing)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder (use more or less for your level of spiciness)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black mustard seeds
• 2/3 cup raw peanuts
• 3 cups cooked rice
• Juice of 1/2 lemon, or to taste
• Salt to taste
• Chopped cilantro 

Directions:

• In a pan, over medium heat, first add the oil. 
• Once warm, add the peanuts, season with a little salt and sauté until lightly roasted. Set aside on a dish.
• Now add mustard seeds to the oil and once they start to pop, add a pinch of asafetida powder. You can also add curry leaves if you want!
• Next, add the chopped red onion to the pan and cook until they become translucent.
• Now add the turmeric and continue to cook. If you like it spicy 🌶 add a teaspoon of red chili powder! Cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Next add the cooked rice and mix everything evenly. 
• Cook on low for another 5 minutes. Stir continuously to make sure nothing sticks on the bottom. 
• Add the lemon juice, salt, cilantro, and the roasted peanuts 🥜 and combine well. 
• Use the remaining cilantro for garnish. 
• The dish can be served with raita(yogurt side dish) and/or pickle on the side :)

Enjoy!! Please share your suggestions, ideas, and comments. Thank you for stopping by!!  -VM

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