Degchi
Cooked rice tossed with a tangy lemon-turmeric tempering of mustard seeds, lentils, peanuts and curry leaves. Bright yellow and zesty, it's a popular South Indian way to use up leftover rice.
Quick answer: 30 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Rice, Lemon, Cooking oil, Mustard seeds · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 300 g 10.5 oz Rice, cooked, cooled
- 3 tbsp 3 tbsp Lemon, juice
- 3 tbsp 3 tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Salt, to taste
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Split chickpeas, split chickpeas, for tempering (Optional)
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Split black lentils, split, for tempering (Optional)
- 10 pc 10 pc Curry leaves (Optional)
- 2 pc 2 pc Green chilli, slit (Optional)
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Dry fruits, peanuts (Optional)
Steps
Timers run only while this tab is open. The Degchi app keeps them running on a locked phone.
- Spread the cooked rice on a plate to cool completely so the grains stay separate.
- Heat oil; add mustard seeds, split lentils and peanuts, frying until the lentils turn golden.⏱ Tempering · 3 min
- Add curry leaves and green chilli; fry for a minute.⏱ Frying curry leaves · 1 min
- Add turmeric and switch off the heat so it doesn't burn.
- Pour the tempering over the cooled rice along with lemon juice and salt; mix gently with your hands or a spatula.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes so the flavours soak in before serving.⏱ Resting · 10 min
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon Rice take?
30 minutes in total: about 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking.
Is Lemon Rice hard to make?
Degchi rates it easy. The method has 6 steps, and 3 of them have a timer you can start on this page.
How many people does Lemon Rice serve?
This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.
Is Lemon Rice halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Lemon Rice?
Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: cooking oil, turmeric, salt. Spice-box items: mustard seeds. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: lemon. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: rice.
Any tips for making Lemon Rice?
Use rice that's fully cooled (or a day old) — warm rice turns mushy and clumpy when mixed with lemon juice.
Notes and questions
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Used in these posts
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Curry Leaves: Fresh, Frozen or Dried? How to Use Them
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Upma is five ingredients and about 20 minutes, yet it turns into paste in many kitchens. Roasting, water and how you stir decide everything.
What to Cook With a Tin of Chickpeas and Rice
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Cooking terms in this recipe: Tadka · Curry leaves
