Lemon Rice ( Chitrannam )

Chitrannam or lemon rice or nimmakaya pulihora is a tangy South Indian variety of rice.
This is similar to pulihora which is made in a similar way but tamarind is used instead of lemon juice.
In most of the festivals , along with sweets we also make lemon rice or pulihora. It is sometimes made as a part of naivedyam. It is many times given as prasadam in temples or even ganesh pandals during ganeshotsav. You simply can't get enough of this. This dish does not require any side dish . It is best eaten by itself.

Ingredients:

• Rice - 2 cups
• Lemon Juice - of 2 lemons or adjust to taste
• Green Chillies - 3-5 or to taste
• Red Whole chili -1
• Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
• Urad Dal - 1 tsp
• Chana Dal - 1 tsp
• Curry leaves - 1 spring
• Hing - 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Peanuts - 2-3 tbsp
• Cashew Nuts - 2-3 tbsp
• Oil - 2tbsp
• Salt - to taste
• Chopped Cilantro - for garnishing

Directions:

• Cook the rice and keep aside.
• In a pan, heat oil and roast peanuts until golden. Then add cashew nuts and roast till golden. Remove and keep aside
• In the same pan add mustard seeds, let them splutter. Add chana dal and urad dal and let them turn reddish.
• Add curry leaves, slit green chillies, red chili, hing, turmeric powder and saute for few cesonds.
• Pour this over the cooked rice. Also add roasted cashew nuts and peanuts to the rice.
• Add salt and lemon juice and give it a good mix , but gently without breaking the rice grains.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro.
• Serve warm or even at room temperature. This can be either eaten by itself or with plain curds and pickle.