Fermented Rice and Spiced Lentil Bowl

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-10 · Updated 2026-04-10

A comforting vegetarian dish featuring tangy fermented rice paired with gently spiced lentils and aromatic herbs. This Bangladeshi-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs fermented rice, toor dal, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fermented rice
• 1/2 cup toor dal
• 1/2 medium, finely chopped onion
• 1 clove, minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon, grated ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon, plus more to taste salt
• 1 tablespoon ghee
• 1 tablespoon, chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse the toor dal under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium pot, combine the rinsed toor dal, 2 cups water, and 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the lentils are tender and the water is mostly absorbed. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon ghee over medium heat. Add the 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped, and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add the 1 clove garlic, minced, and 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated, along with 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin and 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir the cooked lentils into the onion mixture and cook for 2 minutes to combine. Add the 2 cups fermented rice and stir gently to mix. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is heated through and the flavors meld. Season with additional salt to taste.
4. Step 4: Garnish with 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro and serve warm.