Having leftover rice from the previous day is very common in many households. And the first preparation that comes to mind is fried rice with vegetables and eggs. The recipe I am sharing with you today is a different kind of fried rice. This one doesn’t need any vegetables or egg. In fact you can make this when you are running out of your pantry stock. Turmeric lemon rice is a popular dish originating from South of India and is known under a couple of different names, such as Lemon rice, Pulihora or Chitrana. It is a slightly spicy rice preparation which has a delightful tang from the lemon, beautiful golden color from turmeric and a nutty flavor from the lentils and peanuts.
For me this is a quick fix recipe for lunch box or when I am home alone and do not feel like making anything complicated. But it also works great as part of a family dinner or a feast. The flavors are simple, but oh so good! This dish comes together very quickly, like in 10 minutes! No joke! It is that easy. You don’t need exact ingredients or measurements. I use whatever leftover plain rice I have on hand, this time I used brown basmati rice. The chewy texture and nutty flavor of the brown rice works wonderfully well with lemon and spices.
Since this dish is mainly seasoned with lemon juice, turmeric oil and peanuts, it doesn’t spoil easily. So this can be a good dish to take along when you are traveling.
A south Indian rice preparation with a delightful tang from the lemon, beautiful golden color from turmeric and a nutty flavor from the lentils and peanuts.
Ingredients
- 4 cups leftover brown or white rice (I used brown basmati)
- 1/4 cup oil
- 2 dry red chilies
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/3 cup peanuts
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp. bengal gram daal
- 4 tbsp.(+/-) lemon juice
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 1/3 cup sliced onion
- Salt to taste
- 2 green chilies, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pan. Once it gets hot add mustard seeds, red chilies and curry leaves.
- When they splutter turn down the heat and add the peanuts and Bengal gram daal and saute till they are lightly colored. (Don't let them burn as they will brown more with the onions).
- Now add sliced onion and turn up the heat to medium. Fry until slightly pinkish. We do not want to brown the onions.
- Add turmeric, lemon juice, salt and green chilies. Stir a couple of times and then add the leftover rice.
- Mix everything together so that the rice is uniformly yellow in color. Sprinkle water if you think the rice is too dry, cook until heated through.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve warm or pack it for lunch.
Ansh
My daughter loves this. Although her version has to be lemon, turmeric, salt and curry leaves . The curry leaves need to be taken out before serving. LOL.
I love your version more!!
Anupama
Looks very very yummy! Our family favorite. We love it and can have it anyday. We eat the curry leaves too sometimes 😉 Thanks for sharing Balvinder Ubi. love all your recipes (I know I’ve said this before:))
Monica
This looks so good!! I could eat that entire serving all by myself. I wish I could!!
Jayashree
This is one of the favourite dishes at home.
Adina
It is the same in our house, most of the times when I cook rice, there are leftovers which end up as fried rice (I think I do it on purpose because we actually love fried rice so much). I found fresh turmeric for the first time ever and bought quite a lot of it, I am sure I could use that instead of the powder, isn’t it?
Juliana
I love rice dishes and this one looks so pretty and tasty…I have never had peanuts in rice…not this way…awesome recipe Balvinder!
Have a great week 🙂
Soma Saharay
Very honestly Balvinder lemon rice is an absolute love for me…what a co incidence yesterday only I packed their lunch box with it…
Abbe @ This is How I Cook
Love different ways to use rice! I really need to stock up on some Indian spices, because I do so love it!
Katerina
I am sure the aroma of this rice is amazing! So rich in flavor!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
This is a great way to use up leftover rice….in fact I think it’s a reason to make a double batch of rice just so you have the leftovers! 🙂
sherry
it’s dinnertime and this is making me hungry balvinder! it just sounds so delicious. we love brown basmati, and use it often. it makes a great stir fry.
Judee
I always have leftover rice so this recipe would be a wonderful one to keep in mind. It sounds so delicious with the peanuts in it and my husband must have lemon in everything he eats.