Yellow Lemon Rice with Fried Cashews


Visit the Indian Food Glossary for information on the ingredients in this recipe
Yellow Lemon Rice with Fried CashewsYellow Lemon Rice with Fried Cashews
Rice is a nutritious and versatile food that has been a staple around the world for millenia. It is easy and fast to prepare, depending on how creative the cook is feeling. The possibilities are endless and rice is tasty on its own with just a little butter or you can spice it up a bit like I did with this easy to prepare yellow rice with toasted cashews. For an especially satisfying meal, I suggest you serve this rice with spicy chickpea koftas and mushroom curry.


Yellow Lemon Rice with Fried CashewsYellow Lemon Rice with Fried Cashews
Recipe by
Adapted from Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking
Cuisine: Indian
Published on April 21, 2007

Fragrant yellow lemon rice with golden brown fried cashews and Indian seasonings

Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 to 25 minutes

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Ingredients:
  • 1 cup white basmati rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 cup dried unsweetened coconut
  • 2 tablespoons ghee or butter and oil
  • 2/3 cups raw cashew pieces
  • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • 1 tablespoon skinless urad dal
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice or lime juice
  • small handful fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Instructions:
  • Rinse the rice under cold running water. In a bowl, soak the rice in the water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drain, reserving the soaking water, and let stand in the strainer to dry for 15 to 30 minutes.

  • Bring the reserved soaking water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in the rice, salt, and a dab of ghee or butter. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and gently simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside.

  • Meanwhile, toast the coconut in a small dry saucepan or frying pan over medium-low heat, tossing frequently, for 5 minutes or until the coconut is lightly browned and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.

  • Heat the ghee or butter and oil in a small frying pan over just less than medium heat. When hot, toss in the cashew pieces and stir for 5 to 8 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and add to the rice.

  • Raise the heat in the frying pan to medium and add the mustard seeds and urad dal. Fry for a minute or two until the mustard seeds begin to pop and the urad dal turns a reddish brown color.

  • Pour the mustard seeds and dal into the rice and add the turmeric, lemon juice and parsley. Gently mix with a fork until well combined. Sprinkle each serving with a bit of coconut.

  • Serve hot or warm. Sprinkle each serving with the toasted coconut.

Makes 4 servings
Yellow Lemon Rice with Fried Cashews

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

There's know way that I could get ghee here. Now I know that ghee is clarified butter. Could I make ghee by melting the butter say in a saucepan or microwave at low heat and allow it to settle? Alternatively what proportion of butter to sesame oil would you use. Sorry for these dumb question but I'm a newby at this. Thanks for your patience Lisa.

BTW: Even though I don't always comment here, I do check in a couple of times a day and appreciate the recipes, many of which we've tried and enjoyed.

Lisa Turner said...

Thanks for reading Fergy. It's nice to know my efforts are appreciated. Your questions are not dumb at all, and I honestly am happy to help. So, don't hesitate to ask, for I will answer your questions if I can.

You can find instructions on how to make ghee at Mahanandi's blog, here.

Typically, I use equal proportions of butter and oil. Sesame or olive oil is best.

Anonymous said...

Thanks

Jackie said...

Nice recipe, must give it a try. Of course being Vegan I shall use a substitute for ghee.

Lisa Turner said...

Jackie;

As you are vegan, just use some olive or sesame oil. Enjoy!

Stephanie said...

Fantastic rice recipe!! Yum! Thanks for sharing! Peace, Stephanie