Lemon Rice Recipe – Bursting with lemon flavor, this is a delicious way to turn plain rice into an exotic dish, and it’s the perfect accompaniment to any meats and/or veggies.
HELLO! What’s up what’s up?! I have very important news. Very. I took almost an entire week away from the blog! I’m shocked at myself. I still worked, but away from home and WITH people! 🙌 As in, not by myself in a kitchen creating recipes and taking photos in a 2×4 make-believe studio for 8 hours a day. #foodbloggerproblems
Sneak peek of where I was and what I did:
Will talk to you about it in an upcoming post. EEEP!
I know. You came here for the rice.
Have you ever had Lemon Rice?! If not, you really, really, reaaaallllly should! It will change you 4EVA.
You know what’s in here, right? I mean, besides the lemon. Any ideas? It’s turmeric! That’s why it’s so golden and pretty and SO freakin’ hard to photograph! Yellow food is my enemy. But, who cares… I brought you sunshine in a dish! The rice is amazing and that is all that we need to worry about.
Now, before my Indian friends notice that there’s no roasted peanuts in here and red chilies, allow me to explain. This is how we, Macedonians, make it: green onions, garlic, lemon zest and as much lemon juice as one needs. I, however, did add a bit of extra: turmeric. In as far as I know, we don’t use turmeric, but I had to stir it in – it’s just too pretty and too good-for-you to pass up.
Also, the rice is cooked in broth and milk instead of water, which in turn makes the rice a bit creamy and so much more flavorful.
A sprinkle of dill at the end is every.thing.
Now, normally, I would sit around and talk to you a whole lot more, but because I took days away from the kitchen, I must hop back in there today and work for the next 12 hours…. on a Friday. 😣😣😣 WELP!
ENJOY!
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TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS USED IN THIS RECIPE
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 green onions , white parts only, cut into thin rounds (reserve green parts for garnish)
- 3 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste
- 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup 2% milk
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- chopped fresh dill , for garnish
- chopped green onions , for garnish
- Melt butter and heat olive oil in a nonstick pan.
- Add onions and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in garlic and lemon zest; continue to cook and stir for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Add rice; season with turmeric, salt and pepper, and cook and stir for 1 minute.
- Stir in vegetable broth, milk, and lemon juice.
- Turn up the heat and bring mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer; cover the pan and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until liquid has evaporated.
- Remove from heat.
- Fluff with a fork and taste for seasonings; adjust accordingly.
- Garnish with dill and green onions.
- Serve.
WW Smart Points: 10
Lynn says
Does it really need the milk??? Not sure I want to mix rice with lemon and milk.
Katerina Petrovska says
Hi!
The milk adds creaminess to the overall dish, but you don’t have to use it – you can always add more broth or even water.
Kay Lamb says
would lemon rice go well with a chicken marinated in lime, honey, and rosemary. Or would that be a citrus overload?
appreciate your opinion and thanks for the recipe
Denise says
This was delicious and the creamiest rice I have ever had. I used coconut milk instead of 2% dairy and loved it. It was beautiful, tasty and will be made again and again at my house. I am looking forward to trying it with roasted peanuts and chili peppers. I skipped the dill since my husband doesn’t like that.
Marina says
Lemon juice will sometimes curdle milk when added to it when hot. Try adding the lemon juice finally after fully cooking and the heat has been turned off.
Monica says
Why did my milk curdle? How do I prevent that in the future? I used 2% milk
Denise says
My milk curdled too ☹️
Alice says
This rice looks amazing! I’m planning on making it ahead of time for a Christmas shindig. Can I serve it cold? Or does it have to be eaten hot?
Mgk says
How many servings does this make…only one? So should I multiply all ingredients by how much I need?
Katerina Petrovska says
Hi! As a side dish, this will serve 4. One cup is 1 serving. Hope that helps! 🙂
Stan says
This Lemon Rice dish looks delicious! I’m going to try it soon. However/ I have a question regarding the Nutritional Information. Is the serving size really (1 g) ?
Katerina Petrovska says
Hi! No, that’s a typo! 🙂 That should be 1 cup. Thank you for catching that and letting me know. Have a wonderful Sunday!
Stan says
Phew!! I was worried that I’d only be able to have a small spoonful.
Thank you for the clarification. 🙂
Jill says
Why milk? Can it be done with more broth instead? Thanks!
Katerina Petrovska says
Hi! Sure, you can definitely use broth, but the milk will make it a bit creamier.
Sabrina says
this was linked in a recent tandoori rice bowl recipe, love it, love this flavor with dill, etc., and I think the photos look great, so thank you for this too!
Alice says
I didn’t have dill but it ended up being the best rice dish I have made in a very long time. Thanks for having shared the recipe. I will definitely do this over and over again. 👌🏾👌🏾☝🏾
Nieta Gates says
Oh my goodness this was AMAZING and the color is so pretty! This will definitely be a staple in my house!
Anne Blackburn says
A wonderful rice dish. Will certainly make this again and again.
Sharry | shorisuperstore.com says
i enjoy doing this actually. I made this using low flame, Butter taste compliments the taste of lemon.
Cathy Trochelman says
I am loving the color of this rice! What a fabulous side dish (or main dish!!)
Cookin Canuck says
It looks as though you had a fun week – can’t wait to read about it! And this rice – so pretty to look at and I’ll bet it tastes just as good.
Brandy | Nutmeg Nanny says
Love the idea of adding the lemon to my rice! So many dishes this will go with!
carrie @ frugal foodie mama says
I think I know what you were doing in Cleveland. 😉 And this rice looks delicious! What a great way to jazz up a staple side dish.
Dee says
Sunshine in a pan — It’s gorgeous, and I love it!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
I really want to try this, it sounds incredible. And the addition of turmetic is perfect, makes it such a brilliant color!
Maryanne | the little epicurean says
This really does look like sunshine in a dish!
Toni | BoulderLocavore.com says
This is absolutely gorgeous! Love it.
Sarah @ Girl Adulting says
This looks so fresh-tasting and delicious!
The Steaming Pot says
I love the slices of lemon in the rice. Makes it so pretty. Will work for Indian-style lemon rice as well, thanks for the idea 😉
Katerina Petrovska says
OH good!! I was afraid my Indian friends would give me “the look” if I didn’t add roasted peanuts and dried chilies! ;-))