Lemon Rice/Elumichai Sadham –South Indian Special

Lemon rice/Elumichai Sadam is a very common, traditional and authentic dish prepared in all most all South Indian homes. This heavenly tasting lemon rice is always paired with Potato Masala/Fry, it is like they are made for each other and is totally unbeatable. Lemon rice is a very simple and quick dish to prepare and comes in handy for lunch box. Not only just lunch box but also for travel, it does not get spoilt because of the lemon juice which acts as a natural preservative. Lemon rice is also prepared during special pooja days, Seemandhams and Valaikappus(Baby shower). In my earlier post I had mentioned about the valaikappus . In Valaikappu’s/Seemandham’s 5 or 7 or 9 different types of variety rice is prepared for the occasion and lemon rice plays a vital role in it. Check out my other Valaikappu Rice Varieties here, I will be updating all the rice varieties one by one in my future posts.

Usually Lemon rice is prepared with Potato Masala/Fry but today I prepared Spinach Pakoras and served it as side dish.

Here’s how to make Lemon rice with step by step photos…

Ingredients

Basmathi or Sona masoori rice	2 cups
Lemon	1 large
Salt	As needed
Cilantro	1 tbsp finely chopped
Sesame oil/Nallaennai	1 tsp

For Seasoning

Oil	2 tbsp
Mustard seeds	1 tsp
Cumin seeds	1 tsp
Urad dhal	1 tbsp
Channa dhal/Kadalai paruppu	1 tbsp
Cashew nuts	10 -12 broken [optional]
Roasted Peanuts	2 tbsp
Green chillies	4 – 5 slit lengthwise[adjust to taste]
Ginger	1 inch piece finely chopped
Curry leaves	10 -15
Asafoetida	One pinch

Method

Cook the rice with required amount of salt. Make sure the rice is not mushy and the grains are separate. Spread it on a plate, mix one 1 tsp of sesame oil [Nallaennai] and let it cool.

Squeeze the lemon juice and set it aside without any seeds.

Heat oil in a kadai and splutter mustard seeds. Then add cumin seeds, urad dal, channa dal and let it start to change colour.

Now add the peanuts, cashew nuts, asafoetida, curry leaves and let it change color. Add the green chillies, ginger, turmeric powder and saute for about a minute.

Switch off the stove and add the lemon juice with little salt. Add the rice and mix it really well. If needed add more lemon juice and adjust according to taste.

Finally garnish with cilantro and serve it hot with potato masala.

Alternative Method:

After the rice is cooked and cooled, add the lemon juice and mix it thoroughly.

Then add the seasoning mentioned above to the rice and mix it really well. Yummy and tangy lemon rice is ready to be enjoyed.

Suggestions:

• I used basmathi rice, you can use sona masoori to prepare the lemon rice.
• You can add some grated carrots or peas to make it more healthy and colourful.
• Adjust the amount of lemon juice according to your taste.

Thank you for visiting my blog, please come back again for more traditional South Indian recipes.

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