Lemon Rice-Nimmakaya Pulihora

Pulihora whether its the traditional tamarind version or the much mordern lemon version,is an all time favorite.And a must have on festivals and special occasions.



Ingredients:

Biryani Rice/ Plain white Rice 2 cups

Green chillies,slited vertically  9

Lemons 3

Pallilu/ground nuts fist ful

Curry leaves

Ginger small piece grated(Optional)


If you are going to take Biryani Rice wash and presoak them.If it is plain rice wash and cook the rice.If it is the plain rice the rice to water ratios is 1:2,whereas if its the biryani rice its 1:11/2 .Cook the rice and keep it at a side.I usually add a teaspoon oil and salt to the water when the rice is cooking ,so that the rice absorbs the salt,and the rice grains dont stick to one another.You can even add a pinch of turmeric also to the water.After the rice is cooked,take the rice in a big plate and spread it gently with a spatula ,so that the rice cools down ,and the grains wont break due to the mixing of the ingredients.Heat a skillet with 2 tablespoons oil ,when the oil is hot add a teaspoon chanadal,mustard seeds,and the ground nuts,green chillies,and red chillies.Add curry leaves.keep sauting to avoid burning.when all the ingredients are fried well add this to the rice.If you have not added the turmeric to rice while cooking,add it now to the rice.Meanwhile squeeze the lemons and pour the lemon juice over the rice while gently mixing all the ingredients.Adjust the salt accoringly.Depending on our taste we can add or omit adding more lemon juice.Serve with Coconut chutney or ginger chutney .It tastes good eating with or without chutney.


Note:Some people like adding a small piece of ginger,finely grated and sauted in oil.It gives slightly a different taste to the traditional lemon rice. Like wise some like adding cumin seeds,some avoid them.