Olan

Kerala Olan is made with red gram and   Ash gourd cooked in coconut milk, which gives it a rich and creamy texture.

Ingredients:
Vanpayar / Red gram /cowpeas - 1/4 cup
Ash gourd /Kumbalanga ,cubed- 1 cup
Green chilies,sliced- 3 to 4( or according to taste)
Thin coconut milk - as required
Thick coconut milk - 1 cup
Curry leaves- few
Coconut oil- as required
Salt - to taste
Instructions:

Soak the cowpeas /vanpayar in plenty of water for about 8 to 10 hours or overnight.Cook until tender,drain and keep aside.

In a manchatti /clay pot with sufficient amount of thin coconut milk cook the ash gourd along with green chilies and salt  .( Don’t over cook the vegetables, they should retain their shapes). .When it is done add the cooked cowpeas and mix gently.

Now add the thick coconut milk and mix well. Do not boil.Switch off the stove,  add 1 tsp coconut oil  and curry leaves.Add more salt if required.
Serve it hot with Sadhya.