Olan

Olan is one thing that we make only for onam. So, I say it is as one onam sadya special dish. However, there is no such restriction that you should make it only for onam. Having it with some hot and steaming rice on any other day is equally mind blowing. 

Here is the recipe for our onam sadya special olan. 

Ingredients

1. 2 cups of kumbalanga/ Ash gourd , peeled and cut into small cubes
2. 1/2 cup of Red cow Peas / Vanpayar, washed and soaked in water for 1 hr
3. 2-3 green chillies, slit
4. 1 strand of curry leaves
5. 1/2 cup of thin coconut milk
6. 1/4 cup of thick coconut milk
7. 1 tsp of coconut oil

Method

• In a pressure cooker, cook the Red Cow Peas with enough water. The peas should get tender but yet hold its shape. For me it took almost 7 whistles on high heat. Drain the peas and keep it aside.
• In a pan, take the kumbalanga, green chillies, curry leaves, salt and some water ( just to immerse the kumbalanga).  Cook it on medium heat until the kumbalanga is cooked. The pieces should get tender yet hold its shape. While you cook it, if you feel the water is less and it would stick to the bottom, add the thin coconut milk and not water.
• Add the cooked and drained peas to it. 
• Add the thin coconut milk now if not added already. Let it boil. 
• Now add the thick coconut milk and stir it well. Once it begins to boil, check the salt and turn of the heat.
• Drizzle the coconut oil over it and give it one last stir.
• Serve it with rice.

Tips

1. Adding the water of the cooked peas, changes the color of the dish. If you are okay having your olan a little brownish in colour, you could add the water to the olan but ensure that it doesn't get too watery.