Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard seeds (black, brown, or yellow)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 fresno chilies or 1 red jalapeno chile, cut into thin rings, seeded if desired
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice
  • 4 pieces lemon peel plus 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (2 x 1-inch strips, yellow part only)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup roasted cashews

Method

  • Heat oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add mustard seeds and turmeric and cook, shaking pan, until mustard seeds pop, 1-2 minutes.
  • Add onion, garlic, and chile and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 7 minutes.
  • Add rice and stir to coat, add lemon peel, salt, and 3 cups water; bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until rice is tender, 20-25 minutes.
  • Stir in lemon juice. Cover and let stand off heat for 15 minutes.
  • Fluff with a fork and stir in cashews.