Sauté onion and garlic, add smoked paprika (maybe a teaspoon or so), a pinch of cumin, and a little tomato paste if you have it.
Add your lentils (French green or brown hold their shape nicely; canned work fine, just drain and rinse), a splash of vegetable stock or water, and let everything simmer together so the flavours meld.
Finish with tamari and a squeeze of lemon.
Sweet potato and cauliflower are reliable, but chickpeas tossed in a bit of oil and spice roast up beautifully alongside – adds extra protein and a nice crunch.
Cumin and smoked paprika tie it all together.
Build the bowls with rice as the base, lentils on top, roasted veg arranged around, then finish with something fresh – maybe some sliced avocado, pickled red onion, or a handful of greens.
Your fermented chilli sauce would be perfect drizzled over, and a tahini-lemon dressing brings it together.