Lemon Fried Rice

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!

Spicy Lemon Pickle (Uppinakayi)

Any South Indian food lover is sure to list the humble "pickle" or "uppinakayi" as one of their favourite condiments/side dishes. I'm no different...whether it be along with rice and curry, with hot rotis or just to savour along side any savoury dish, pickles are just the perfect addition to get your taste buds tingling! 

Lemon pickles are probably the most common type of pickles in South India and also super easy to make fresh at home. Also helps that we have a beautiful lemon tree which is abundant with lemons this season! 

Here it is my version of the delicious LEMON PICKLE :)

Ingredients (for one jar of pickles): 3 fresh lemons, 2 tablespoons salt, 2 tablespoons chilli powder, 1/2 teaspoon roasted fenugreek seeds made into a fine powder, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon mustard seeds for tempering.

Make: Wash the lemons completely clean and dry thoroughly, preferable for a few hours in open air. It is most important to have zero water content while preparing pickles. Cut lemons into small pieces and start placing into a clean, completely dry glass jar. Once the jar is half full, put in 1 tablespoon of salt and mix with a dry spoon. Place more lemon pieces on top and add the second spoon of salt. Mix again and close the lid tightly. 

Leave this jar to sit in for about 3 days, in a non sunlit area. Open after 3 days and give it quick mix with a dry spoon, close and leave for another few days. The mixture will have produced lots of lemon juice and the lemon will have softened. 

Add the chilli powder and roasted fenugreek powder and mix well. Temper the mustard seeds in olive oil, let it cool and add to the pickle. Mix well and keep the jar tightly closed for a few days. Your spicy lemon pickle will be ready to enjoy!