Narthangai Saadham | Citron Rice

Narthangai Saadham | Citron Rice – Citron (Citrus medica) is a species of citrus fruit. We can also call it as a variety of lemon. The difference is lemon has thin rind whereas citron has a thick rind. The sour taste of the juice also slightly varies lemon is little milder sour when compared to citron/Narthangai. It is said to be the traditional variety to be used with amazing health benefits when compared to lemon.

Usually I don’t like citron taste so I prefer lemon, but after marriage my mom used to bring so much of fruits from our field and will store in my fridge. No way I have to use it off (as I generally don’t waste food stuffs). My husband started liking it more than lemon, as days passed the taste seems to be quite better than lemon and now I love it ? As a mom, with health concern I started carrying the fruit regularly. Big story for a small fruit. Thanks for reading. Lets move on for recipe.

Ingredients of Narthangai Saadham:

• Cooked Rice – 2 cup
• Citron/ Narthangai – 1
• Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
• Salt -2 tsp
• Coriander leaves – 1 tsp
  For Seasoning:
• Cashews – 4-5
• Mustard – 1/4 tsp
• Channa dal/gram dal – 1 tsp
• Split urad dal – 1/2 tsp
• Chillies (green& red ) – 3-4
• Curry leaves – fewMethod of Preparation of Narthangai Saadham:

1. Extract juice from citron fruit without seeds
2. Add salt and turmeric powder to that juice.
3. Pour over the rice and mix well. Keep aside
4. Heat oil and fry cashews+ mustard and all ingredients given under seasoning.
5. Add in to the rice.
6. Now heat the pan containing rice in low flame to get an even finish.

Step-wise of Making Narthangai Saadham:

1. Cut the citron and squeeze the juice out
2. Add in turmeric powder, salt and mix well
3. Pour over the rice
4. Mix well evenly and keep aside
5. Heat oil in a pan and fry cashews until golden brown
6. Add mustard,channa dal, urad dal, chillies, sliced onion, curry leaves
7. Add the seasoning into the rice
8. Now heat the pan containing rice after adding the seasoning/tadka mix
9. Add chopped coriander leaves and a tbsp of ghee
10. Mix gently and once the rice is hot put off the flame
11. Transfer to a serving plate

Note:

• Squeezing of lemon would be quite easy when compared to citron fruit. So use can use a juice extractor.
• Also squeezing by hand will make the juice little bitter, so take care that water content in the outer layer not to mix much with the juice.
• Adding a tsp/tbsp of ghee as per your requirement gives a vibrant taste to the rice.
• Also using of groundnut oil for variety rice will give a fine texture to the recipe