Lemon Rice with Dals

This recipe is a lot more simpler to make than first meets the eye. If you prefer a richer variation, then you can add some cubes of butter directly to the rice after it's cooked, for a more flavorsome taste.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  cups basmati rice
• 1⁄4 cup  masoor dal
• 1⁄4 cup channa dal
• 1  medium onion
• 2  lemons
• 25  g butter
• 3⁄4 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 3⁄4 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1  teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2  bay leaves
• 2 -3  cloves
• 3 -4  cinnamon sticks
• 4  curry leaves
• 5 -6  cashew nuts (chopped)
•  coriander sprig
•  dried parsley
•  fresh lemon rind
•  salt

Directions

1. Soak masoor and chana dals for a few hours prior to cooking.
2. Boil rice with about 4-5 cups water and salt until grains are soft and firm.
3. Just before draining the rice, add the turmeric powder.
4. Stir to ensure that the color spreads evenly over the rice.
5. Remove from heat and drain.
6. In another pot, add the masoor and chana dals; cover with water and boil until the dals soften.
7. In a separate small saucepan, add butter on low heat until it melts.
8. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, bayleaves, cloves, cinammon, curry leaves and cashew nuts.
9. When the seeds begin to splutter, add the onion and allow to heat till onion becomes translucent.
10. Then add the boiled/softened masoor and chana dals along with the turmeric powder.
11. At this point you can peel the lemons and add the lemon rind to the rest of the ingredients.
12. Stir this mixture thoroughly to ensure a nice distribution of the butter flavor.
13. Transfer this mix to the already cooked rice and toss or stir well.
14. Squeeze two fresh lemons to obtain about half a cup of juice, add a tsp of salt to it, and then pour the liquid on the rice concoction, making sure to toss it thoroughly.
15. Garnish by drizzling with dry parsley, coriander and a whole cashew.