Lemons lemons everywhere! It's the season for lots of yellow citrus goodness to be hanging from our trees in the garden. Lemons are not only a wonderful choice to help with many common day to day health issues, they also add amazing flavour to almost dish you can add them too.
After lip-smacking lemon pickles, our most favourite savoury lemon dish is the very simple yet deilicous LEMON RICE (commonly known in Bangalore as Chittranna). It's probably the most commonly made rice dish in households and also the most loved. There's a feeling of home associated with this quick and easy dish that South Indians will agree to :)
Here it is my version of the quick and easy, LEMON RICE.
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked rice, the juice from 1 fresh lemon, half cup green peas, 1 onion chopped, handful of curry leaves, handful peanuts (can omit this), 1 small potato chopped. For tempering, 2 chilies finely chopped, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon split peas (channa daal), 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera), 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 1 tablespoon oil.
Make: In a thick bottom pan, heat the oil for tempering the spices. Add each of the chillies, turmeric powder, split peas, cumin seeds and mustard seeds. When they smell roasted and start to splutter, add peanuts if you choose and add the chopped onions and curry leaves. Saute onions till golden brown then add the green peas and chopped potatoes. Cook for about 8 minutes till soft and add the cooked rice. Add in the fresh lemon juice, salt to taste and toss together (do not pat or mix hard so you keep it all light). Sprinkle with chopped coriander if you wish. Enjoy hot!