{"id":"recipe_4f66a15443","slug":"lemon-rice-elumichai-sadam","title":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam)","description":"A vibrant, tangy, and aromatic South Indian classic made with fluffy precooked rice, fresh lemon juice, and a crunchy tempering of lentils, peanuts, and spices.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 cups cooked rice (chilled or cooled)","name":"Rice","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"cooked","notes":"cooled or leftover","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 large lemon, juiced","name":"Lemon","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"juiced","notes":"approx 3 tbsp juice","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 1/2 tbsp peanut oil or sesame oil","name":"Peanut Oil","quantity":22,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1.5,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"peanut or sesame oil","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 tbsp raw peanuts","name":"Peanuts","quantity":18,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"raw","notes":"","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tsp mustard seeds","name":"Mustard Seeds","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"black mustard seeds","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tsp split urad dal","name":"Urad dal","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"split","notes":"black gram","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tsp chana dal","name":"Chana dal","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"split","notes":"bengal gram","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 inch ginger, finely chopped","name":"Ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"minced","notes":"1-inch piece","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"2 green chilies, slit","name":"Green chili","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"slit","notes":"adjust to spice preference","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"10-12 curry leaves","name":"Curry Leaves","quantity":1,"unit":"sprig","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"sprig","form":"fresh","notes":"approx 12 leaves","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1/2 tsp turmeric powder","name":"Turmeric","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"gives the yellow color","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"1 pinch asafoetida (hing)","name":"Asafoetida","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"Fresh cilantro for garnish","name":"Cilantro","quantity":2,"unit":"tbsp","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"chopped","notes":"fresh coriander","group":"garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Heat the peanut oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the raw peanuts and fry until they turn golden brown and crunchy.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat the peanut oil","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Add the mustard seeds. When they start to splutter, add the urad dal and chana dal. Fry until the lentils turn golden.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the mustard seeds","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the minced ginger, slit green chilies, curry leaves, and asafoetida. Sauté for 30 seconds until the aromatics release their fragrance.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the minced ginger, slit green chilies, curry leaves, and asafoetida","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Turn the heat to low. Add the turmeric powder and salt, then pour in the fresh lemon juice. Mix well and immediately turn off the heat to prevent the lemon juice from turning bitter.","group":"Cooking","title":"Turn the heat to low","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Add the cooked rice to the pan. Gently fold the rice into the tempering until every grain is evenly coated and yellow. Check for salt and adjust if needed.","group":"Mixing","title":"Add the cooked rice","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve warm or at room temperature.","group":"Serving","title":"Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"Traditional South Indian lemon rice is best made with cooled, leftover rice as the grains stay separate. Use sesame oil (gingelly oil) for the most authentic flavor.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["saute","stirFry"],"equipment":["Frying pan or wok","Spatula"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"allergens":["peanuts"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"serving","note":"Approximately 225g per serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The tempering can be made ahead and stored, but the lemon juice should be added just before mixing with rice for the freshest flavor."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently in a pan or microwave. Add a splash of water if the rice seems dry."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_4f66a15443%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=35e72f0f-1a06-4145-8088-dfcf951a6bfb","imageAlt":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["lemon rice","south indian","tangy","quick lunch","vegan indian","yellow rice"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T17:07:44.604Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T17:07:44.604Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_fb27e32ec2","slug":"curd-rice-thayir-sadam","title":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam)","description":"A comforting, creamy South Indian staple made with soft-cooked rice mixed with cool yogurt and tempered with aromatic spices, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_fb27e32ec2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f4b6828b-7878-41e2-be3a-0eb61ce6a548","imageAlt":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["rice","yogurt","south indian","curd rice","thayir sadam","comfort food","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":13,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_c3ae6a52c8","slug":"moong-dal-khichdi","title":"Moong Dal Khichdi","description":"A comforting, wholesome Indian one-pot meal made with rice and yellow moong lentils, tempered with ghee and mild spices. This version is perfect for a nutritious breakfast.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c3ae6a52c8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5460ce62-691a-4f9d-b89e-0431c5210df6","imageAlt":"Moong Dal Khichdi — recipe cover","tags":["comfort food","healthy","one pot","moong dal","rice","indian breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_561129ffbf","slug":"palak-paneer","title":"Palak Paneer","description":"A classic North Indian vegetarian dish made with succulent paneer cubes in a smooth, vibrant spinach gravy, seasoned with aromatic spices.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Punjabi"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_561129ffbf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=085c5d26-6523-48d4-8c34-fb4af071488a","imageAlt":"Palak Paneer — recipe cover","tags":["spinach","paneer","indian","vegetarian","creamy","curry"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":12,"stepCount":5}]}