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Vegetarian, South and Southeast Asian

Lemon rice with cabbage poriyal

Lemon rice with cabbage poriyal is a vegetarian South Indian meal for 4, ready in 40 minutes, very easy to make, for about €1.10 per person. The key is letting the rice cool before adding the lemon and stir frying the cabbage quickly so it stays crunchy.

Tonight, lemon rice flavored with turmeric and peanuts, with crunchy coconut cabbage poriyal and papadums.

Lemon rice with cabbage poriyal
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.10
Calories per person
620 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Lemon rice stands out with its pale yellow color and turmeric scent mingling with a bright citrus tang. Toasted peanuts add crunch to every bite, and mustard seeds popping in hot oil give the dish that classic South Indian fragrance.

Alongside, the cabbage poriyal plays up crunch, with grated coconut softening the kick of green chili. It's a weeknight meal that comes together with little effort, mild enough for kids once you leave out the chilies, and it holds up well cold the next day for a quick lunch.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Basmati riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Roasted unsalted peanuts 50 g
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Mustard seedsoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Curry leaves 10
  • Grated coconut 3 tbsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Papadums 8
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Lemons 2
  • Green chili 2
  • White cabbage 500 g

Allergens Peanuts, Mustard

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the basmati rice in salted water, drain it and spread it out to cool slightly. 11 min

    Warm, dry rice mixes without turning mushy.

  2. Heat half the oil, add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds, then the peanuts, split chilies, curry leaves and turmeric. 4 min

    The peanuts should turn lightly golden.

  3. Pour this mixture over the rice, add the lemon juice and salt, and mix gently. 3 min

    Taste it, the rice should be distinctly tangy.

  4. Thinly slice the cabbage and stir fry it with the remaining oil and mustard seeds until it stays crunchy. 8 min

    Cook it over high heat for a short time, the poriyal should stay crunchy.

  5. Add the coconut to the cabbage, toast the papadums over a flame or in the microwave, and serve it all together. 3 min

    Place the papadums on the hot dish at the last moment so they stay crisp.

Our tips to get it right

  • Rinse the basmati rice under cold water before cooking so it stays separate once mixed with the lemon.
  • Slit the green chilies lengthwise instead of chopping them if you want a milder dish that still carries their flavor.
  • Toast the curry leaves a few seconds longer than the other spices, they should turn crisp.

The variations

  • Swap the peanuts for toasted cashews for a milder, slightly sweeter version.
  • Stir cooked chickpeas into the lemon rice for a heartier meal.
  • For kids, skip the green chilies and keep just the turmeric for color and a very mild flavor.

What to serve it with

  • Plain yogurt to cool things down
  • Iced lemon tea
  • A fresh cucumber salad

Storage

Lemon rice and cabbage poriyal keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, ideally stored separately. The rice freezes well, but the cabbage doesn't, it loses its crunch. Reheat the rice in a pan or microwave with a splash of water so it doesn't dry out.

Questions about this dish

Can you make lemon rice ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the rice hours ahead and stir in the lemon right before serving. Adding the lemon too early makes the rice mushy and dulls its flavor.

Can you skip curry leaves if you can't find them?

Curry leaves add a distinctive flavor that's hard to replace, but the dish still works without them. Turmeric and mustard seeds already bring plenty of flavor.

How do you make the cabbage poriyal kid friendly?

Leave out the green chilies before serving, or set the chili halves aside for the adults. The cabbage still tastes great with just mustard seeds and coconut.

Can you use another cabbage instead of white cabbage?

Green cabbage or pointed cabbage both work well and cook at the same speed. Avoid firmer cabbages like red cabbage, which need more cooking time.

How long does it take to make a lemon rice with cabbage poriyal?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a lemon rice with cabbage poriyal?

About 620 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a lemon rice with cabbage poriyal cost?

About €1.10 per serving, or €4.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains peanuts, mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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