Masala Lemon Rice - is a spicy coconut paste based Lemon rice , origin from Karnataka . Herbs, spices and fresh coconut are blend together , tempered and then mixed with cooked rice and lemon juice.
Masala chitranna is a popular breakfast and lunch box recipe in Karnataka.
Jump to:
About this recipe
Lemon rice is a easy and quick tempered rice mixd with lemon juice . But this recipe uses a coconut masala paste hence it is different from regular lemon rice . This is very similar to MTR lemon rice paste but tastes better as its fresh without any preservatives.
The name masala is reffered here to a blend of fresh coconut and spices ; later tempered and mixed with lime juice to make masala paste ( nimbehulli gojju ) . It's then mixed with cooked rice to make a delicious Masala Lemon Rice - Nimbehuli chitranna.
In this recipe, using garlic is optional. You can prepare this with or without garlic , its left to one's preferences.
Similar recipes
Wide varieties of chitranna/ lemon rice are prepared because each home has their own recipes . This kind of chitranna / lemon rice generally makes its appearance in religious ceremonies of Karnataka.
Storage suggestions
Lemon masala paste / gojju can be prepared ahead and refrigerated , it stays good upto 7 days. You can even freeze masala paste upto 3 months , use it as and when required. All you need is to thaw before use and follow the recipe for mixing with rice.
Watch Video
How to make Masala Lemon Rice:
Wash and soak 1 cup of rice for 10-15 minutes.You can use any kind of regular rice like sona masoori , jeera rice or basmati rice.
Cook rice by adding 2 cups of water , 1 teaspoon of oil and 1 teaspoon of salt, keep it aside.You can either pressure cook rice , use rice cooker or cook in an open pot.
In a mixer chutney jar , add ยผ cup of fresh coconut , 1 teaspoon of jeera / cumin seeds , ยพ inch ginger , 3 medium size garlic cloves , 2 tablespoon of coriander leaves , pinch of turmeric powder and 2-3 green chillies ,depending on the spice level.
Grind to coarse paste by adding very little water,if needed.
Take a deep cooking pot/pan or kadhai or wok , heat 2 tablespoon of oil , add mustard seeds . Allow it to crackle , add curry leaves , dry red chilly broken into pieces fry for a while.
Add ground nuts , chana dal , urad dal and fry till it starts changind colour , add grounded masala.
Fry well masala on medium heat , till oil starts releasing from corners.
Turn off the heat, add lemon juice , salt and mix well.
Add in cooked rice ,ยฝ teaspoon of salt ,1 teaspoon of lemon juice and coriander leaves,mix well.
Serve with coconut chutney and potato or raw banana fritters.
Recipe
Masala Lemon Rice | Nimbe huli Chitranna
Ingredients
For Cooking Rice
- 1 Cup Rice
- 2 cups Water
- 1 teaspoon Oil
- ยฝ teaspoon Salt
Ground into Masala Paste
- โ Cup Fresh coconut
- 1 teaspoon Jeera / Cumin seeds
- 2-3 Green chillies or as required
- 2 tablespoon Coriander leaves
- ยพ inch Ginger
- 3-4 Garlic cloves
- 1 pinch turmeric powder
For Tempering
- 2 tablespoon Cooking Oil
- ยฝ teaspoon Mustard seeds
- 1-2 Curry leaves Sprig
- 1-2 Dry red chilly broken
- 2 tablespoon Groundnuts / peanuts
- ยฝ tablespoon Chana Dal
- ยฝ tablespoon Urad Dal
For Mixing with rice
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoon Chopped coriander leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt or as required.
Instructions
- Wash and soak 1 cup of rice for 10-15 minutes.You can use any kind of regular rice like sona masoori , jeera rice or basmati rice.
- Cook rice by adding 2 cups of water , 1 teaspoon of oil and 1 teaspoon of salt, keep it aside.You can either pressure cook rice , use rice cooker or cook in an open pot.
- In a mixer chutney jar , add โ cup of fresh coconut , 1 teaspoon of jeera / cumin seeds , ยพ inch ginger , 3 medium size garlic cloves , 2 tablespoon of coriander leaves ,pinch of turmeric powder and 2-3 green chillies ,depending on the spice level.Grind to coarse paste without adding water.
- Take a deep cooking pot/pan or kadhai or wok ,heat 2 tablespoon of oil ,add mustard seeds . Allow it to crackle , add curry leaves ,dry red chilli, ground nuts , chana dal , urad dal and fry till it starts changing colour.
- Add grounded masala paste and fry well on medium heat , till oil starts releasing from corners. Turn off the heat. Add ยฝ tablespoon lemon juice , salt and mix well.
- Mix in cooked rice ,ยฝ teaspoon of salt ,ยฝ tablespoon of lemon juice and coriander leaves . Mix well everything and serve .
Leave a Reply