Wash, and soak the dry lentil in 1 cup of water for 10 - 15 minutes or till you chop vegetables for the stew.
Set IP to saute mode for 5 minutes.
Add oil, garlic, thyme, and onion in the inner pot. Saute for a minute to release the aroma.
Next, add vegetables and saute for 1 - 2 minutes.
Drain water from the soaked lentil. Add lentil to the inner pot of IP. Add salt and pepper. Saute for the remaining set time.
Add warm vegetable stock. Stir to combine. Close the lid of the IP. Set the stew mode for 10 minutes. Move the steam valve to the sealing position.
After the IP beeps, release the steam manually. Open the lid, gently mash the lentils using the back of the ladle. Add spinach leaves. Stir to combine them into the stew. Taste the stew, if required add more salt or pepper.
Serve lentil stew warm with bread.