Cut up like five tomatoes, a red onion or two, and some garlic. Sauté it until soft and add salt and loads of cumin. And, if you can find it, a small spoon of achiote paste.

When it’s all soft and fragrant, add a cup of lentils and a 1.75 cups of water. High pressure for 10 minutes and natural release for 15.

Serve it with rice and you’ve got yourself an Ecuadorian menestra.

https://www.laylita.com/recipes/ecuadorian-lentil-stew-menestra/

I love it for preparing chickpeas or legumes. Make a bunch for the week. It does a nice job on rice as well

I make black beans from dried frequently in an instant pot

I also like this chana masala recipe starting from dried chickpeas https://ministryofcurry.com/instant-pot-chana-masala-recipe/#recipe

Tikka Masala • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or we do tofu for a vegan meal) • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt divided • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped • 3 large cloves garlic minced (about 1 tablespoon) • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger • 1 tablespoon garam masala* • 1 teaspoon ground chili powder • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne use more if you like the dish spicy • 1 can no salt added tomato sauce (8 ounces) • 1 can coconut milk (14 ounces) • 3/4 cup frozen peas • 1/2 cup plain nonfat lactose free Greek yogurt • Prepared brown rice or naan, for serving • Fresh cilantro for serving

Instructions

• Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and set aside.
• Add the butter to an Instant Pot and set to SAUTE. Once melted, add the onion, garlic, ginger, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft and the spices are very fragrant, about 5 minutes.
• Add the chicken pieces, stir to coat with the spices and onion, and cook, stirring often,  just until the outsides start to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH pressure for 8 minutes. Vent to immediately release the pressure.
• Uncover and stir in the coconut milk. Turn the Instant Pot back to SAUTE. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and let it continue to simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 10 to 15 minutes. Turn the Instant Pot off, and then stir in the peas. Let cool for 3 to 4 minutes, and then stir in the Greek yogurt (do not stir in the Greek yogurt right away or it may curdle). Enjoy warm with rice or naan and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.