My absolute favorite time of the year is now, when we still have warm sun, the days are getting shorter, the light is magical and the smell of autumn is there. It has not been a great tomato season here, but we do have many small golden beauties, almost overripe. It’s so easy to roast them with balsamic and garlic and enjoy them with a very simple pasta.

Lobia Masala or Black Eyed Peas Curry is a popular dish in North India (and Pakistan), and very easy to make in a pressure cooker or instant pot (see boxed text below) . It is made in an onion-tomato gravy, with ginger, garlic and a tasty combination of spices.

Since I am the happy owner of an instant pot, I make many more Indian dahls, legume stews, soups and endless more (freezer friendly) meals. The ingenious device has a timer, so you can decide when your food should be ready. After a long walk in the woods, when you come home from an assignment, after chopping firewood or working in the garden for a few hours?