Olan Recipe

Olan Recipe

Olan is a delightful curry that consists of white pumpkin (ash gourd), cowpeas (red lobia or chawli), and coconut milk. This Olan recipe originates from Kerala cuisine.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 778 kcal

Ingredients
  

For Pressure Cooking Cowpeas

  • ⅓ cup cowpeas (red lobia)
  • 1.5 cups water for pressure cooking
  • ¼ teaspoon salt for pressure cooking

For Making Olan

  • 300 grams ash gourd or 2 cups chopped ash gourd (white pumpkin or kumbalanga)
  • 7 to 8 curry leaves
  • 3 to 4 green chillies – slit
  • salt as required
  • ¾ to 1 cup water for cooking ash gourd
  • 1 cup Coconut Milk (Thick)
  • 12 to 14 curry leaves
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons coconut oil

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Rinse and soak ⅓ cup red cowpeas (red lobia) overnight.
  • Next day drain all the water and rinse the cowpeas again. Drain the extra water.
  • Now add the soaked cowpeas in a 2 litre pressure cooker. Also add ¼ teaspoon salt.
  • Add 1.5 cups water and pressure cook on medium flame for 3 to 4 whistles or 8 to 9 minutes till the cowpeas are tender and cooked well.
  • Once the pressure settles down, open the lid and check if the cowpeas are cooked well. Keep aside.
  • Rinse and then peel 300 grams ash gourd. Chop them in medium cubes. discard the seeds and pith. You will need 2 cups of chopped ash gourd.

Cooking Ash Gourd

  • In a pan, take the chopped ash gourd. Also add 7 to 8 curry leaves and 3 to 4 green chillies (salt). Season with salt as per taste.
  • Now add ¾ to 1 cup water. Instead of water you can also use thin coconut milk.
  • Cover the pan and on a low to medium flame simmer till the ash gourd is cooked.
  • In between do check when the ash gourd is cooking and if required you can add some more water.
  • The ash gourd has to be cooked till its tender.
  • There will be some water remaining in the pan and its fine. But do make sure that its not a lot of water.

Making Olan

  • Now add the cooked cowpeas. Do not add the stock. Just add the cowpeas.
  • Add 1 cup thick coconut milk. Mix very well.
  • On a low flame gently heat olan curry for 4 to 5 minutes. Do not boil. 
  • Switch off the flame and then add 12 to 14 curry leaves.
  • Also add 2 to 3 teaspoons of coconut oil.
  • Mix well. cover and let the flavors infuse for 6 to 8 minutes. 
  • Serve olan with steamed rice.

Notes

    • Instead of cow peas you can add black eyed peas. But do not overcook them.
    • Yellow pumpkin can be used instead of white pumpkin.
    • You can also use half-half of yellow pumpkin and white pumpkin.
    • A bit of ginger can also be added.

Nutrition

Calories: 778kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 19gFat: 57gSaturated Fat: 49gSodium: 1097mgPotassium: 1116mgFiber: 11gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 755IUVitamin C: 422.3mgCalcium: 286mgIron: 14.5mg
Keyword Olan Recipe
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Article Categories:
Kerala Recipes

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