Rice… staple food of Sri Lanka and very famous among Asian countries. Well we all know to cook many types of rice. Even I, and instead of cooking normal white rice I prefer to modify it with some ingredients which I can find in my day to day kitchen. 

Try out this lemon rice and I bet you really will fall in love with this. Here I used pistachio but you could use cashews, raisins, peanut or any kind of nuts. And instead of bay leaves you could use some curry leaves/pandan leaves too

1.wash 2cups of basmati rice and cook. Once you done with it, leave aside. 

2.meantime wash 3-4tbs Chana dal and soak in water about 15-20 minutes. 

3.heat a large pan with 2-3tbs olive oil and add the soaked, water drained Chana dal, fry for about 2-3 minutes in medium heat until lightly brown in colour.

4.add about 1tbs ginger garlic paste, (mash 1inch size ginger and 2 garlic cloves) 3 bay leaves, 2 star anise, 1tsp black peppercorns and 40g pistachio. Pan fry for about a minute in medium heat and add 1/2tsp turmeric powder and mix with the rest. 

5.add the cooked rice, salt and juice of 1 medium lemon and mix all together and pan fry for about couple of minutes.

6.finally fire off and sprinkle freshly chopped handful of parsley over the rice and serve with your favourite curry.