Chitranna / Lemon Rice

Chitranna or Lemon rice is popular dish prepared in South India. It is prepared by mixing cooked rice with special seasoning which includes Mustard seeds, chana dal,  cashew nuts, peanuts, reg and green chili, curry leaves, lemon juice, turmeric powder and salt to taste.

I try to make this dish definitely for Ugadi ( Telugu New Year ) along with Ugadi pachadi which is made of all the flavors like spicy, bitter, salty,sweet and tanginess. Chitranna is also on the similar lines it has the flavors of spiciness from chilies,  tanginess from Lemon and crunchiness from the nuts. 

This recipe goes to week 4, day 2 of Blogging Marathon 110 under the theme " Make April Special Festival Food".

Ingredients:


Raw Rice 2 cups
Lemon juice 1/2 cup
Slit green chilies 6
Cashew nuts 10
Peanuts as required 
Curry leaves 6
Red chili 1
Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
Chana dal 1 tbsp
Chopped ginger 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil 2 tbsp


Preparation:


Wash rice thoroughly and cook along with 1/2 tsp oil and turmeric powder.
Do not cook the rice too soft, it has to be fluffy.
Once the rice is cooked transfer to a plate or tray and let it dry for few minutes.
In a pan heat rest of the oil and add mustard seeds,once they splatter add chandal dal, red chili, cashew nuts, peanuts and  curry leaves.
Saute for few seconds and add slit green chili and chopped ginger.
Saute for few seconds and add cooked rice.
Add salt and lemon juice. 
Combine everything well, adjust salt to taste and serve.

Check to see what my fellow bloggers are cooking for Blogging Marathon 110.