Chitranna/ Lemon Rice



Chitranna is a rice dish very typical of Kannadigas. It is a very special dish. Chitranna is made as an offering to gods, it features prominently on festive menus, it is also a much preferred dish for the lunch box... or even for a simple breakfast... very versatile indeed. Of course there are as many varieties as one could possibly conjure. It is basically rice mixed with sauteed chillies, a crunchy tempering of grams and a prominent sour flavour which can come from lemon, lime, tamarind, raw mango etc...Here is my version of lemon chitranna.
Rice (cooked and cooled)
Oil 2 tbsp
Channa Dal 2 tsp
Urad Dal 2 tsp
Green chillies 6 and above
Fresh Coconut 3-4 tbsp
Mustard
Turmeric
Curry Leaves
Hing a big pinch
Lemon juice 1 tbsp
salt
Cilantro (a small bunch)
Peas (optional)

  1. Heat oil in a wok. 
  2. Drop the mustard seeds, urad dal, channa dal, hing and the green chillies. Saute for a couple of minutes till fragrant. 
  3. Mix in the peas, coconut and turmeric. 
  4. Keep stirring till the coconut becomes almost translucent
  5. Reduce the heat and mix in lemon juice and salt. Cook for a few more minutes. 
  6. Drop the cilantro before turning off the heat. Mix in the rice just before serving .

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