Lemon Rice Recipe - Illuminated plain / pictured

Step 1: To begin making the Lemon Rice Recipe (Elumichai Sadam/Chitranna), make sure you have some cooked rice ready

Step 2: It helps using a day old rice as the grains will be separated out well

Step 3: Keep the remaining ingredients handy, as this recipe will be made in a jiffy

Step 4: Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan or kadai, add the mustard seeds, the urad dal and peanuts

Step 5: Allow them to crackle and the dal and the peanuts to get roasted well until it gets a golden brown color

Step 6: Do this on low to medium heat else they will get brown faster than you want them to and the peanuts will remain raw

Step 7: Once the dal is golden brown and roasted, add the curry leaves, ginger, green chillies, turmeric powder and stir for a few seconds

Step 8: Add the cooked rice, sprinkle some salt and give it a good stir until all the ingredients have combined well and the rice gets well coated

Step 9: Turn the heat to low, cover the pan and allow the lemon rice to steam along with the seasonings for a couple of minutes

Step 10: After a couple of minutes, squeeze the lemon juice and give the rice a good stir

Step 11: Check the salt and spice levels and adjust to suit your taste

Step 12: Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped coriander leaves and serve

Step 13: Serve the Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam/Chitranna) along with papad and tomato onion raita, or plain yogurt