Gajar ~ Nimboo Bhaat / Carrot ~ Lemon Rice.

Gajar ~ Nimboo Bhaat / Carrot ~ Lemon Rice ..... Lemon Rice is a common dish prepared when I have left over rice .... today I added on some grated carrots to the same .... Must say an awesome and healthy combination .... Loved it .... Yumz ....

Lemon rice is a delicious seasoned ~ flavored rice most common in the southern parts of India. An easy to prepare dish, it is almost a daily staple food in some parts as it is not only tasty but a very versatile dish too. Lemon rice can be prepared with ready cooked rice by seasoning it and adding of freshly squeezed lemon juice. This can be prepared both with freshly cooked or left over rice. An awesome dish to be packed along in tiffin to office or school dabba. The tanginess of the lemon imparts a special aroma and children love this very much when packed as their tiffin. Addition of fried groundnuts gives them that nutty crunch and adds on more pleasure in enjoying the same. You can serve lemon rice as it is or with a little bit of chutney or pickle. Also addition of some fryums or vodi or pappad will add on to the pleasure in having this for dinner. I have already posted lemon rice / nimboo bhaat before. But here as an variation to it I have added on grated carrots and I must say it was awesome with the added goodness of carrots. Carrots are good for health and as I have said before many are reluctant to have them as salads etc. The best way to consume or make the kids eat this healthy vegetable is by adding them to dishes, so here goes a new twist for nimboo / lemon rice. Enjoy tastes great.

Ingredients :

Cooked Rice : 4 cups.

Lemon Juice : Freshly squeezed juice of about 2 lemons.

Carrots : 2 large sized, skin peeled and grated. 

Peanuts / Groundnuts : ¼ cup (roasted)

Mustard Seeds : 1 tsp

Urad Dal : 1 tsp

Methi / Fenugreek Seeds : ¼ tsp

Green chillies : 2-3 cut to pieces

Red Chillies : 2-3 cut into bits

Grated Ginger : 1 tsp

Hing / Asafoetida Powder : 1 tsp

Haldi / Turmeric Powder : ½ tsp

Curry Leaves : 8-10

Coriander leaves : One handful finely chopped.

Oil : 3 tblsp

Salt to taste

** Note : I have prepared this with the left over rice. You may choose whichever is suitable to you. You can freshly prepare the rice or use left over rice too. The result is same. Lemon Rice / Nimboo Bhaat is usually served at room temperature. But some prefer to have it a lit bit hot as with the case of when serving to children and in case one is using left over rice. Choose whichever way you like to enjoy the rice as both room temperature or a lit bit warmer than than both are equally good. 

In a thick bottomed kadai, add the oil and bring to heat. When hot lower the heat and add in the urad dal, when it changes in colour slightly, add in mustard seeds, methi, green chillis, red chillies, haldi powder, hing powder and finally the curry leaves and the roasted peanuts / groundnuts. Again here I have used roasted groundnuts as I always roast them in Microwave and keep them ready. This avoid frying them in oil you may choose any method. In case yoy are adding in raw ones add in as soon as the urad dal has changed in colour. Fry this for a minute and then add in the grated ginger and stir for a few seconds. Now add in the grated carrots and fry on medium heat for a few seconds. Lower the heat, cover with a lid and let the carrots cook for 2 minutes. 

Add in the cooked rice, salt to taste and mix well. Cover and let heat on low heat for 2-3 minutes. In case you want to serve it a bit hot then keep it covered and let heat for 5-7 minutes. Remove from fire. Add in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and coriander leaves and mix well. While adding in the lemon juice do not add all at one go add some and check the sourness before adding in more. This is to ensure that the lemon rice does not become to sour in taste. Lemons are sometimes very sour and sometime not so. So it is best left to your judgement and Individual liking as to how much of the juice should be added. Carrot Lemon Rice / Gajar Nimboo Bhaat is ready to be served.