Welcome to our kitchen! Today, we are going to prepare a delightful and refreshing dish: Lemon Millet Rice. This recipe is a twist on the traditional lemon rice, using millet instead of rice for an added nutritional boost. Millet is rich in fiber, protein, and essential minerals, making this dish both delicious and healthy. Let’s get started!
Ingredients
To make this zesty lemon millet rice, you will need:
- 1 cup millet (foxtail, pearl, or any preferred type)
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons oil (preferably coconut or sesame oil)
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1-2 green chilies, slit
- 1-inch piece ginger, finely chopped
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts or cashews
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Millet
- Rinse the Millet: Rinse the millet thoroughly under cold water. This helps remove any impurities and reduces the cooking time.
- Cook the Millet: In a medium-sized pot, add the rinsed millet and 2 cups of water. Bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the millet is tender and the water is absorbed. Fluff the cooked millet with a fork and set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Lemon Seasoning
- Heat the Oil: In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add Spices and Aromatics: Add the cumin seeds, turmeric powder, slit green chilies, finely chopped ginger, and curry leaves. Sauté for a minute until the spices release their aroma.
- Add Peanuts: Add the roasted peanuts or cashews and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until they are slightly golden and crispy.
Step 3: Combine and Cook
- Mix in the Millet: Add the cooked millet to the pan and mix well with the seasoned spices and nuts. Ensure that the millet is evenly coated with the turmeric and spices.
- Add Lemon: Pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest. Mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors. Cook for another 2-3 minutes on low heat, allowing the millet to absorb the lemony flavor.
- Season: Add salt to taste and mix well.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
- Garnish: Turn off the heat and garnish the lemon millet rice with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
- Serve: Serve the lemon millet rice warm. It pairs well with raita, pickle, or a simple salad.
Tips and Variations
- Vegetable Add-Ins: You can add vegetables like peas, carrots, or bell peppers to make the dish more nutritious.
- Tangy Twist: For an extra tangy flavor, you can add a tablespoon of tamarind paste along with the lemon juice.
- Spice Level: Adjust the number of green chilies according to your spice preference.
- Nutty Addition: If you like a crunchier texture, add a handful of roasted sesame seeds on top.
Why Millet?
Millet is a versatile and highly nutritious grain. It’s gluten-free, high in dietary fiber, and packed with essential nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. Including millet in your diet can help improve digestion, lower cholesterol levels, and support overall health.
Conclusion
This zesty lemon millet rice is a perfect blend of tangy and nutty flavors, providing a refreshing twist to your meal. It’s an easy-to-make dish that brings a burst of flavor and nutrition to your table. Try this recipe and let us know how your lemon millet rice turned out. Happy cooking!
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