South Indian Style Nutty Lemon Rice Recipe!
Who doesn’t like quick recipes? Most of the requests I have received on my Request a recipe link are for simple recipes that can be prepared with little or no preparation. While it is not always that easy, today’s recipe is definitely one such recipe. As a matter of fact, I received a specific request for Lemon Rice. Lemon Rice is one of those comfort foods most everyone loves for different reasons. 
Some like it for its simplicity and some like it for its rich flavors. Lemon Rice is a dish you can eat year-round. It is steamed rice that is mixed in with stir fried spices and infused with fresh lemon juice. There are so many different varieties out there, but this South Indian version is the favorite in my household. It’s filled with cashew and peanuts that make it so amazing!
Some more subtle changes I made to bring out the true authentic flavor and aroma is to use fresh turmeric root instead of the powder. The result is a tempting meal that is full of flavor in every bite. Try it with basmati rice like I did or with Jasmine, Sona Masoori rice. An easy and simple rice dish such as this will come in handy on busy weekdays and also a perfect option for kids lunch box 🙂 Try it today and let me know how you like it.
Check out my videos for more directions. If you enjoy yummy, vegan recipes such as this, get them directly in your inbox by subscribing to my newsletter. Just hit the subscribe button at the right. You will also get a copy of my e-book where I have put together some simple vegan dessert recipes and dessert essentials. My readers have found it very helpful and I am hoping you will too!
Here are the recipe details.
Nutty Lemon Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup basmati rice
- ¼ cup peanuts
- 2 tbsp split cashew nuts
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 dry red chili
- 2 green chilies
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 3 tsp grated ginger
- 2 tsp grated turmeric roots
- 1 strand curry leaves
- 3 tsp lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp Cilantro for garnishing
Instructions
- Soak the basmati rice for 15 mins in cold water.
- Cook the rice with lots of water. Later drain the water after rice is cooked and place it aside. You could also steam the rice in a pressure cooker instead. Use a ratio of 1:1.5cup of water for every cup of rice.
- Add grated turmeric, ginger, and chopped green chilies and cook for a minute.
- Add salt to taste and mix in the cooked rice. Give it a good mix until the flavor is evenly distributed.
- Switch off the heat and squeeze some fresh lemon juice.
- Add chopped cilantro and mix well.
Nutrition
Nutty Lemon Rice Recipe is ready! Serve hot with a savory soup…
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Soma Mukherjee
March 9, 2018 at 7:25 amLoving this simple but so flavourful recipe of nutty lemon rice, can have a bowlful anytime.
Uma Srinivas
March 9, 2018 at 2:06 pmVery true:) Thank you Soma.
Nandita Gupta
March 9, 2018 at 10:16 amI love this simple and easy recipe for lemon rice. I usually pack it in my daughter’s tiffin and it usually is a winner always.
Jyoti
March 9, 2018 at 12:09 pmLoved your version of Lemon rice. The use of turmeric roots is quite interesting.
Uma Srinivas
March 9, 2018 at 2:06 pmThanks Jyoti. It gives fresh and flavorful aroma.
sujitha
March 9, 2018 at 4:00 pmNutty flavoured rice are the best comfort food while travelling.. Adding turmeric root is very new tip..
Celia (Chicago Jogger)
March 9, 2018 at 8:27 pmI love lemon flavors – this rice sounds amazing!
Uma Srinivas
March 9, 2018 at 9:07 pmThank you Celia! Hope you can find time to make this 🙂
Pavani
March 9, 2018 at 8:51 pmI this how I make lemon rice at home too. It is so quick and easy that I make it atleast once a week 🙂 Good thing is the whole family loves it.
Uma Srinivas
March 9, 2018 at 9:05 pmYes true. My family loves this too:)
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram
March 9, 2018 at 11:28 pmNothing better than a comforting bowl of lemon rice and aloo fry.
priya satheesh
March 10, 2018 at 3:25 amOMG What a tempting click. This is my all time favourite rice and love it with Potato fry.
Geetanjali Tung
March 10, 2018 at 3:30 amExcellent! Love the addition of grated turmeric in it!! Thanks for sharing☺
Drashti Dholakia
March 10, 2018 at 4:42 amLoved the addition of peanuts and cashews for the crunch. Nice clicks 🙂
themadscientistskitchen
March 10, 2018 at 9:20 amThis is delicious. I love simple rice dishes, who will not? But especially love lemon rice.
Beautifully presented.
Priya Suresh
March 10, 2018 at 10:05 amLove to add couple of nuts in my lemon rice, now you are tempting to make today for my lunch. Those prefectly cooked rice rocks.
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner
March 10, 2018 at 5:25 pmLove peanuts in all the variety rice.. Simply yumm.. Love this with potato fry..
firsttimercook
March 10, 2018 at 7:17 pmLove this simple dish loaded with lots of flavours. Looks so yum !!
sapana
March 10, 2018 at 10:02 pmThis is one of my favorite South Indian rice dishes. Looks so tempting and flavorful.
Vidya Narayan
March 11, 2018 at 3:55 amI agree, the quick recipes are most wanted by all due to simplicity, ease of availability of ingredients and lack of time for cooking elaborate meals. Lemon Rice, rather all the South Kalavai saadam varieties always come to our rescue. A great travel option, addition of nuts increases nutritional quotient for kids too. A bowl of curd on the side is sufficient. Loved the tempting close up pic of rice.
Uma Srinivas
March 11, 2018 at 4:03 pmThank you Vidya! This rice is life saver during busy days 🙂
Jayashree
March 11, 2018 at 7:18 amThis is a comfort food for South Indians. It’s tasty and filling. Yours looks delish.
Uma Srinivas
March 11, 2018 at 4:04 pmThank you Jayashree!
Ruchi
March 11, 2018 at 10:25 amSoulful food. Love this easy and flavourful rice variety. Beat for tiffin too
Bhawana
March 11, 2018 at 11:23 amWhenever I have left over rice my first preference is to make lemon rice. It is such a flavourful and crunchy rice recipe which is easy to make and amazing taste.
Jagruti
March 11, 2018 at 9:55 pmSimple, quick and flavourful rice, what more do you want in life? 🙂 One of our favourite and flavoured rice and I only prepared a few days ago.
Padmajha PJ
March 12, 2018 at 7:17 amLemon rice is a regular lunch box dish for the kids. I add either cashew or roasted peanuts. Adding both will make it even more delicious!! Nice clicks!
Swati Saxena
March 13, 2018 at 2:30 pmLoved your photography and video too. Your Badmati rice used on lemon rice looks so perfect Uma . Awesome share
Uma Srinivas
March 13, 2018 at 6:27 pmThank you Swathi!
amrita
March 16, 2018 at 4:56 amOne of my favourite dish.,,. lovely clicks