Lemon-Rice | Nimbehannu Chitranna | Rice Recipe

Traditionally it is a recipe from the South of India, reflecting its origin from the Indian state of Karnataka. It is locally called ‘Nimbehannu Chitranna’ and is part of the daily diet. It is not only nutritious but is also easy on the stomach. Being very simple and easy to prepare using very few ingredients, it is a must-try. It is prepared by mixing cooked white rice with seasonings consisting of mustard seeds, fried lentils, peanuts, curry leaves, chilies, lemon juice, turmeric, and green peas.

It is simple, healthy, nutritious and yet, tasty !

Prep. Time: 2 minutes
Cooking Time: 8 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

Rice (of your choice): 1 cup
Peanuts: ½ cup
Urad dal/Black lentil (whole without skin): ¼ cup
Green Peas: ½ cup
Green Chillies/Green Peppers: 2 (finely chopped)
Asafoetida: ½ teaspoon
Curry leaves: 10-12 individual leaves
Black Mustard seeds: 1 tbs
Salt: 1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder: ½ teaspoon
Lemon juice: 3tbs
Cooking Oil: 4 tbs

Let’s Cook:

Wash the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch.
Put a pot with the 8 cups of water on the stove and bring it to boil.
Add the washed rice to it and cook for 4-5 minutes
Remember to stir it occasionally in the initial 2 minutes. Else, it would stick to the bottom of the pot.
Meanwhile, cut the green chilies/peppers. Keep the other ingredients handy.
Put a wok or a deep frying pan on the stove and add the cooking oil to it.
Add the mustard seeds, peanuts, urad dal, green chilies/peppers, asafoetida, green peas, curry leaves, turmeric powder, and stir-fry on medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
Be careful as the mustard seeds will crackle at this stage.
Meanwhile, strain the cooked rice in a strainer.
Now add the strained rice to the pot and mix well for 30 seconds.
Add the lemon juice and salt and mix it again for 30 seconds.
Turn off the heat and Woolah…!!
It’s ready. Plate it and eat it…!!