Lemon rice is a simple yet delicious one-pot sour and nutty rice dish that can be easily prepared with leftover rice and would make a nice and filling lunch or dinner.
Lemon Rice
Lemon Rice or Pulihora is a very common preparation in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Indian cuisine. Puli means sour taste. Pulihora is also referred to as sour rice. So basically lemon rice is sour one-pot rice with toasted peanuts.
This is a very simple and flavorful rice dish and the best part is you could make it with leftover rice. It pretty much needs less than 10 ingredients and can be ready in 15 minutes. So whenever, I am out of options and don’t want to cook something elaborate, for those lazy days I make this easy peasy lemon squeezy lemon rice.
Ingredients needed to make Lemon Rice
- First, Rice-Cooked basmati or sona masoori rice.
- Lemons-There can’t be lemon rice without lemons.
- Peanuts-To add a bit of texture and crunch in the rice.
- Spices-Turmeric, red chilli and salt are needed.
- Mustard Seeds-To temper the rice.
How to make Lemon Rice
To make lemon rice, all you need to do is saute the mustard seeds, cumin , asaeftida a bit, add the peanuts and let the roast for few minutes. Finally add the spices and salt followed by rice. Now mix well so rice is combined with spices. Finally drizzle in the lemon juice and serve the warm and delicious lemon rice.
Serving and Variations
Serve the lemon rice with potato stir fry, papadums, and or masala aloo. Though it doesn’t need any condiments and it is totally optional.
For variations you could add garlic and onions, to add a bit of texture and enhance the flavors too.
Looking for more such rice recipes to get some ideas for your lunch or dinner? Do not miss my Matar Masala Rice and Schezwan Fried Rice and the best one’s Curried Jasmine Rice.
*If you ever try this recipe don’t forget to share your photos with me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or tag me on Instagram @cookingwithsapana using the hashtag #cookingwithsapana and stay connected* I would love to see your creations from my space!!
Lemon Rice
Equipment
- Pan
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 1/4 cup coriander leaves chopped
- 1/4 cup curry leaves chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger chopped
- 2 green chili chopped
- 1 pinch asafetida
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon urad dal/split black gram
- 1 teaspoon channa dal/split Bengal gram
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 4 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoon peanuts
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a wok. Fry peanuts till golden and drain in a bowl.
- Add a pinch of asafoetida, mustard seeds.
- Add urad dal, chana dal, and ginger. Cook until dals change color, add red chilly powder.
- Then add peanuts and curry leaves. Mix turmeric powder and salt in It.Stir fry for half a minute.
- Add cooked rice, salt, and lemon juice, mix well.
- Garnish with coriander and serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Always let me know how this recipe turned out in the comments below. I will be so excited to hear how you served your Lemon Rice and please do share your tips and tricks with me.
Don’t forget that you can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Best Regards,
Sapana Behl
one of my favourites when not in a mood for elaborate cooking.
My fav lazy day recipe. Yummy and delicious.
This sounds so good, perfect for the lunch box!
Delicious lemon rice Sapana I make most of the time.
perfectly made sapana…
Perfect for monsoons:) Thanks for this bright yellow entry at my event 🙂
just dropped in to wish you A very very Happy Friendship Day !! Have a great day ahead dear !
Lovely recipe.. That reminds me I need make it sometimes.. It has been a while I made it.
Can't expect anything better than this for a quick n easy dish!!! Lovely one, Sapana 🙂
Easy & tasty dish.. Simple to make & fun to have 🙂
Easy & tasty dish.. Simple to make & fun to have 🙂
perfect for travel and lunchbox!!! Thanks for linking it to my event!! Looking for more yummy recipes!!
Sowmya
Yes nice to read. Well up date some ancient food items. Cookscape