Lemon Rice

Last week we went to watch a movie called Barfi.What I knew from the reviews about this love triangle between Ileana D’cruz, a deaf and dumb, happy go lucky Murphy played by  Ranbir Kapoor and mentally challenged Jhilmil potrayed by Prinyanka Chopra,I was certain I am going to cry  out poodles in the theatre. But the movie turned out to be surprisingly lighthearted and funny.I still cried but not so much to make the poodles.

We came back home late and invariably overslept  next day morning.There was no time to make breakfast and a full course afternoon meal  together.  It was already so late. I decided to make a heavy breakfast of chapathi and egg curry and  a  quick fix lunch of lemon rice.This suggestion brought a big smile to my husband’s face.Satish(my husband) is not a foodie.This reaction from him surprised me.What he then said…”Good -nice lunch to make.I love it”-was least expected from him.I immediately opened my small cook book to delve for the recipe…and ah there it was-The quick fix…..  All its ingredients are always available in any Indian home.  I gathered all the ingredients,placed them in a line beside the stove ,then started to cook.

While I cooked I was mesmerized by the aroma of curry leaves fried in oil with the lentils ….hmmm… infused with a  tangy burst of fresh yellow lemons…..OOOOH...I was already ready for my quick fix feast….

 I served  steamy lemon rice  with some boondi raita and potato wafers-a perfect combo for a perfect quick fix lunch on Sunday afternoons.

Ingredients
Oil-3tbsp
Mustard Seeds-1tsp
Urad Dal-1 Tsp
Chana Dal-I tbsp.
Turmeric powder-1/2tsp
Red Chilli-2
Green chilli-3to 4
Curry Leaves-10-15
Roasted peanuts-1/4 cup
Lemon Juice-3tbsp or more
Cooked rice-2 cups(boil 1 cup rice with 13/4 th cup of water)
Asafoetida-1/4 tsp
Salt to taste

Method

Heat oil in apan..When oil is hot add mustard seeds.After they splutter add red chilli, urad dal,chana dal,curryleaves and asafoetida.Reduce flame. Add green chilli .Then add peanuts.Fry till urad dal and chana dal turns brown in low flame.Add turmeric and salt .Add rice and sprinkle lemon juice over it..Mix well.Serve hot with  potatoes crisps or wafers or a bowl of bundi raita.
Notes
You can also mix 1 tbsp grated coconut in the above.
Some recipes use Sesame oil instead of sunflower or vegitable oil.Spread this rice on a plate to cool. Add turmeric along with 1 tsp of sesame oil (or more if you like) and mix it along with the rice.
You can also garnish with cashewnuts and coriander leaves.
You can also add lemon juice to the tempering  and refrigerate it.Take out 3 tbsp of this,heat it  and add to rice when you fell like making lemon rice.