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Yellow Lentil Ricewith Curry Leaves

Recipe by RJ on InstagramAdded 29 October 2026.

15 minutes to prep, 30 to cook. A vibrant, aromatic rice dish featuring yellow split lentils, fragrant curry leaves, and a blend of colorful spices. The tempering of mustard and cumin seeds adds depth, while the bright orange hue makes it visually striking. Perfect as a hearty vegetarian main or side.

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Yellow Lentil Rice with Curry Leaves by RJ, a frame from the Instagram video

Method

  1. Temper mustard seeds, cumin seeds, yellow split lentils, green chilies, and curry leaves in hot oil.

  2. Add the light-colored paste to the tempering and stir to combine.

  3. Transfer the tempering mixture to a pot.

  4. Stir the mixture in the pot over medium heat.

  5. Add yellow spice, red spice, and white granular powder to the cooked rice and mix until the rice is uniformly orange-colored.

  6. Combine the spiced rice with the tempering mixture in the pot and stir well.

  7. Garnish the rice with green leaf garnish.

  8. Serve the yellow lentil rice hot.

Tips while you cook

Watch the tempering
Temper the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, lentils, chilies and curry leaves until the seeds begin to pop before adding the paste.
Stir over medium heat
After transferring the tempering to a pot, stir it over medium heat.
Mix spices into rice first
Add the yellow spice, red spice, and white granular powder to the cooked rice and mix until uniformly orange before combining with tempering.
Garnish at the end
Add the green leaf garnish just before serving.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

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The recipe comes from RJ’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

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