Lemon is one of the fruit which has many health benefits. This fruit is well known in lowering the cholesterol levels in the body and bring down the weight of an individual. Besides, it is also said to give a glow to the skin due to the Vitamin C present in the fruit. Lemons are well known in boosting the immune system, cleansing the body and helps fight viral infections. Due to its weight reducing property there are many lemon diet plans which came into the picture for the weight watchers. The recipe mentioned here for lemon rice is a healthy one and it doesn’t require much time to prepare. This can be prepared instantly and can have it in tiffin boxes. Many of them prepare lemon rice during picnics as this is a light food.
There are many traditional ways followed to prepare lemon rice. Most of the procedures involve additional of lemon juice to the rice initially and then adding all the fried lentils to the rice mixture. However, due to the addition of lemon juice to the rice directly gives a little bitter taste. The procedure followed here is a little different from the remaining procedures available.
Nutritional benefits:
Lemon rice is rich in Vitamin A and C along with calcium and iron required for the body.
Ingredients:
• Cooked rice – 2 cups
• Lemons – 2
• Salt – for taste
For tempering:
• Oil – 1.5 table spoon
• Mustard Seeds
• Urad Daal
• Chana Daal
• Ground nuts or Cashew nuts – 2 table spoons
• Hing – small pinch
• Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
• Curry leaves – few
• Green chilies – 2-3
• Chopped ginger – ½ table spoon
• Red chilies – 2
Procedure:
• Cook 2 cups of rice and keep it aside. Cook the rice in such a way that it does not become paste and the rice grains are separated. If you feel the rice is overcooked add a pinch of oil to separate the rice grains.
• Take a pan and pour oil and heat it on a medium flame.
• Add a pinch of hing first. Hing releases its flavor to the oil and gives a delicious taste to the food.
• Now add red chilies, urad daal, chana daal, mustard seeds and curry leaves. Fry till they turn golden brown.
• Depending upon your choice, you can either add ground nuts or cashew nuts. However, ensure you are not adding these nuts along with the lentils as these get fried quickly, there are chances that they might get over fried.
• Now add green chilies and chopped ginger to this fry and let it fry for at least 2-3 minutes so that the spice from the chilies and the ginger flavor is spread. To this add the lemon juice, salt and turmeric powder. Addition of lemon juice and chilies add extra taste to the rice.
• Add the cooked rice to this and mix it thoroughly so that there are no lumps formed. The sourness may be more initially, but the rice grains will absorb this and later the lemon rice would taste good.
Tip:
Do not over fry the lentils. The lentils should be crunchy which will add taste to the lemon rice.
Recipes of India | Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian 