The people from India are deeply engaged in consuming rice, it is not just for fulfilling the taste buds but the people of this subcontinent find the rice recipes highly palatable. Only a few people would imagine meals without including a rice dish. Whether pulao, biryani, or khichdi, the indispensable grain manifests in various ways.
Usually, the rice recipes from India are relatively easy to prepare and are highly delectable. If you are engaged in work and find little time in preparing meals, the rice dishes are one pot recipes meeting the nutrient requirements.
Rice dishes:
The choice of staple food depends on the crops growing in a region and the people belonging to the southern states of India mostly eat rice. The climate of South India as it grows well in the clay-rich soil and the tropical plains. Moreover, the coastal regions of the southern states receive adequate rainfall making it perfect for the growth of rice crops. Therefore, rice is the staple food in the southern states of this country.
Rice recipe and Chitranna:
Among the traditional rice recipes of South India is Chitranna that is ideal for any occasion, whether a picnic, in gatherings of friends and families, or when you go for short outings. Even if you are at home, the much loved rice dish or lemon rice as it is also popularly called sets your mood right.
- Chitranna is also called the humble peanut rice, although the meaning translates mixed rice in Kannada.
- You can make several different variations of the rice and add different souring agents, such as tamarind, rice, or green mango.
- The appearance of chitranna rice is the authentic bright yellow that comes from the addition of turmeric.
- The seasoning of the rice is lightly friend in oil and includes black mustard seeds, chilies, curry leaves for the distinct flavor and a common addition in most of the dishes from south India, asfoetida, urad and chana dal in small quantities, making the dish a beautiful blending of different ingredients.
- The addition of so many ingredients in the seasoning also lends the dish a distinct look.
- You can east chitranna rice with plain yoghurt, raita or some pickle.
- The lemon rice recipe needs to include the right blend of spices that are to be sautéed in hot oil to bring about the authentic flavor.
So, if you are planning to prepare this soulful rice recipe and need to eat it in a jiffy, you can get chitranna masala online and order it right away.
How to make lemon rice:
Lemon rice or Chitranna rice not only has health benefits but very delicious. Considering the small preparation time, the flavorful can boost your taste buds during dinner or lunch. The lemon rice preparation contains requisite amounts of energy, protein, and carbohydrates.
Ingredients:

To prepare chitranna rice, you need the following ingredients.
- One cup of rice
- Turmeric powder
- Fresh or frozen coconut (grated) or dried and unsweetened shreds of coconut
- Roasted peanuts preferably with skin
- I tsp of chana dal and urad dal each
- ½ a teaspoon of black mustard seeds
- 1 or 2 dried red and green chilies
- 5-6 fresh curry leaves
- A pinch of asfoetida
- 1 lemon
- ¼ bunch of fresh coriander
- White oil
- Salt as per taste
Method of preparation:
The preparation time for chitranna rice in about twenty minutes but if you buy online chitranna masala, you can make it even faster. Many people use leftover rice to prepare this dish.
- Wash the rice thoroughly several times until the water turns clear and soak it in water for some time.
- Once the rice soaks properly, drain the excess water and transfer the content to a saucepan.
- Add a little over one cup of water, salt, and turmeric powder to the rice and bring it to boil.
- The rice should boil adequately but not overboil, so you need to stir the content until it boils, discard the water and spread it on a flat dish.
- Heat a teaspoon of oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds at first and allow them to splatter.
- Next, you need to add asfoetida, peanuts, curry leaves, grated coconut, chana and urad dal, green and red chilies based on how spicy you need.
- Sauté the ingredients in the oil for a minute but take care to keep the flame at medium or low or else you may burn them.
- Next add the rice and salt and cook them well.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon in the end and garnish the rice with fresh coriander leaves.
To make the dish a bit different, you can add grated green pepper and carrots or raw grated mango if you want that extra tangy taste. Adding chitranna masala also brings the distinct taste and flavor. Once ready, gorge on this delightful rice recipe and enjoy eating a restaurant-like meal at home.
