Lemon Rice / Nimbehannu chitranna

Lemon rice is a flavoured rice prepared for breakfast in Karnataka. It is an ideal option for lunch box. All you need is some leftover rice and basic ingredients.

I still remember my deep cravings for lemon rice throughout my first pregnancy. There were days when I use to eat this simple rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. May be for the same reason, during my second pregnancy even cooking this rice caused nausea for me. So throughout second pregnancy , it remained my aversion. How strange these pregnancy cravings and aversions are really!

Now I prepare it for my kids since they love it. I have it rarely due to my roller coaster rides of cravings and aversions.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 4 green chilli chopped
• 1 sprig of curry leaves
• 2 tbsp grated coconut
• Half lemon

Seasoning Ingredients

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp chana dal
• 1 tsp urad dal
• 3 tbsp peanuts

Spice powders

• 0.25 tsp turmeric powder

Garnishing Ingredients

• 2 tbsp coriander leaves finely chopped

Preparation

Cook the rice.

Method

1.  Heat the oil and add mustard sseds.
2.  After mustard seeds stop spluttering, add chana dal and urad dal. Keep the flame in low. Saute them till it turns light golden colour.
3.  Add the peanuts and saute till it gets roasted.
4.  Add chopped green chillies, curry leaves and turmeric powder. Saute for 1 minute.
5.  Switch off the flame and transfer the sauted ingredients into a broad pan or basin. Add cooked rice, grated coconut , coriander leaves and salt to taste. Squeeze half lemon. Mix well.
6.  Enjoy hot lemon rice.

Notes

1.  Lemon rice taste good with leftover rice. If using freshly cooked rice, make sure the rice is dry without moisture.
2.  Chopped ginger, red chilli and hing/asafoetida can be added as a variation.