Lemon Rice

Ingredients

• Basmati rice (1 cup)
• Water (2 cups)
• Oil (2 tablespoons)
• Mustard seeds (1 teaspoon)
• Dried red chillies (2, broken)
• Curry leaves (10-12 leaves)
• Peanuts (1/4 cup)
• Asafoetida (1/4 teaspoon)
• Turmeric powder (1/2 teaspoon)
• Lemon juice (2 tablespoons)
• Salt (to taste)

Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice with 2 cups of water in a pan or rice cooker. Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and let it cool.
2. In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and allow them to sputter.
3. Once the mustard seeds are popping, add the broken red chillies, asafoetida, curry leaves, and peanuts. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until the peanuts turn golden brown and fragrant.
4. Lower the heat and carefully add the turmeric powder. Stir well to combine it with the oil and spices.
5. Add the cooled rice to the frying pan and mix gently to incorporate the spices evenly. Be careful not to break the rice grains.
6. Turn off the heat and drizzle the lemon juice over the rice. Add salt to taste and mix gently once more to ensure everything is well combined.
7. Serve the Lemon Rice hot, garnished with additional peanuts if desired, alongside refreshing Raita and crunchy Poppadums.