Why is this pulao so good?
I have a few good reasons why this pulao hits the yummy notes quickly. Pulao is that Indian dish that is mildly spiced and adapts quickly to a variety of vegetables. It also pairs really well with any combination of sauces gravies or salads that you put together. Lemon rice on the other hand is one favourite of the South Indians. There is no escape from the heartwarming yellow colour and the refreshing lemon flavour. So, combining these two makes it a perfect match.
If you are looking from a health perspective, it is a good balance of fibre with the peas along with the rice. It also is not heavily oily or spicy. Hence easy to pair with other curries and raithas. If from a time perspective, frozen peas cook real fast and leftover rice can me your mid-week dinner far easier than you imagined.
Check out the ingredients and the cooking steps in this recipe card. Also, use the link on the recipe card to pin it to your favourite board.
Peas and lemon rice
Ingredients
- 3 cups rice cooked, basmathi
Tempering
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 1 small star anise
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 green chilli chopped
- 1/2 tsp fresh ginger root grated
- 2 tbsp Onion sliced
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1/4 cup peanuts
- 3/4 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 tsp tumeric powder
- salt to taste.
To stir in
- 1 tbsp dry mint
- 2-3 tbsp Lemon juice
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Fluff the cooked rice and set aside to cool in a mixing bowl.
- Set a large frying pan on medium heat. Add in the cumin seeds and mustard seeds to sizzle.
- Followed by the whole spices, onion slices, ginger, chillies, curry leaves and saute gently till the onions turn translucent.
- Add in the peanuts and saute for a minute.
- Add the frozen peas, salt and saute for 3-4 minutes. ( dont add a lot of salt as the rice is cooked with salt already).
- Remove from heat and add the turmeric powder
- Add this mixture to the mixing bowl with the rice.
- Add in the lemon juice, salt and mix gently without mashing the rice.
- Sprinkle crushed dry mint.
- Serve warm with the curries and papads in the suggestions below.
Notes
Nutrition
Planning an Indian vegetarian dinner with this pulao.
This recipe has actually reached a number of people along with the lemongrass and peas sundal. It has become one of the most asked for lunch box recipes too as it is wholesome as it is. If you are planning a gathering with an Indian vegetarian dinner here are a few visually stimulating ideas.
Option 1 – pair this lemon pulao with whole baked cauliflower, crispy leeks pakora and curried avocado.
Option 2 – Pair this peela pulao with Vegetable vindaloo, cooling cucumber raita and sago fryums.
Option 3 – Pile up this peas lemon pulao on the serving dish with sheek kebabs on top. On the side serve khatti meethi imli ki chutney and spicy hari chutney.
Finish up the dinner with a sweet potato kheer and kaju katli. Don’t forget the mukhwas at the end to help through the digestion.
Trying to make a quick vegetable raitha? check this video to help you out.
Frequently asked questions about this pulao.
This is one of the most travelled recipes on this blog. Significantly it is also one that gets a few different questions about it. Here is a couple of FAQ’s that may be helpful.
What rice do I use in this lemon and peas Pulao?
I have chosen basmati rice for this pulao. I love the long-grain brown basmathi to make this as I like the fragrance of it. I have made this recipe with, Sonamasoori, Keerakashala and Govindbhog rice as well. If you ask me to pick one, I will still pick the basmati to make it.
Is the peela pulao good with other grains?
This is a fusion recipe so you can play around with it a lot. We have tested this recipe with barnyard millet, proso millet, quinoa, buckwheat, broken farro and vermicelli. Personally, I liked the quinoa and the proso millet better than the others.
What type of peas to use in this lemon pulao?
This is one of my quick go-to recipes. So. I choose the comfort of frozen peas. You could make it with fresh peas when in season. Blanch the peas before you add to this recipe so it is cooked through. If using dried peas, soak 1/3 cup of peas in excess of water ( say 3- 5 cups) for about 5 hours. Drain and cook these peas with more water till it is cooked through but retains a bite. Add this in the place of frozen peas.
Most of the time evenmy left over rice is used in a similar manner in stir fries….makes life easy and a falvorful lunch is ready ????
Try this one next time Poonam, you will love these flavours together.
My family loved this!! We can’t wait to make it again. 🙂
I am so Glad they liked it. Mine love it too.
My mother-in-law makes a delicious lemon rice, but I have never tried making it myself. Your recipe has inspired me to give it a try! Thanks for sharing!
The recipe for South Indian Lemon rice is actually different. This fusion I hope you and your mum love.
Such a delicious rice dish! Love the lemony flavor and the peas. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Th peas and lemon work so good together!! That is the success of this recipe.
This recipe has so much that I love in it. The flavors all blend together so well. Thanks for the great recipe.
It does have a lot of flavours packed in. I am so glad you like it.
This is my kind of food! Thanks for sharing such a delicious reicpe.
Awww Megan !! thats sweet.
Yes, I agree that this pairs really well with any combination of sauces gravies or salads. I love this puloa.
Hubby and I are planning to enjoy our dinner at the park tomorrow and was thinking what to make that is filling and delicious. It is going to be this super tempting peas and lemon pulao as it will taste good even if it is a bit cold.
This is my type of food.
When I’m alone and have to cook for myself then I usually I make peas pulao but never had added lemon in my pulao. Next I will surely try your version.
Love the concept of two varieties of rice in one and tried this recipe last week. It came out perfect and everyone praised it.
Love this North South fusion lemon green peas rice!! With peanuts and green peas, this is a nice variation to both traditional lemon rice and peas pulao.
oh I am so digging this, Seema. truly a match of the South and North and a dish for my munchkin’s lunchbox too – win win win !!
I am making this peas lemon rice I am making extra rice. will make some tonight for dinner. Perfect onepot meal.
I love quick to make meals like this seema. Love how you have paired lemon flavor into this delish matar pulao. I made this for our lunch today, it came together very quick and we enjoyed it with a simple boondi raita and some chips. Delish share, another fab recipe added to my list of easy to make meals.
I make peas lemon rice the traditional tambrahm way .tomoro I am planning to make the same with your method of adding whole garam masala in Tadka and give it a briyani/pulao feel 🙂