Cherry & Dennis Helper Habitat
Indian Kerala Olan Ash Gourd and Cowpea
印度喀拉拉冬瓜黑眼豆 Olan
Recipe overview
Ash gourd, cowpeas and green chilli simmer gently in coconut milk for mild Kerala Olan, finished with coconut oil and curry leaves.
01
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 700 g ash gourd
- 180 g dried cowpeas
- 500 ml coconut milk
- 1 piece green chilli
Olan seasoning
- 900 ml water for beans
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 10 leaves curry leaves
02
Tools
- cutting board
- knife
- large bowl
- deep pot
- colander
- wooden spoon
- measuring cup
03
Steps
Step 1
Wash, cover and refrigerate the cowpeas in soaking water for eight hours
Wash, cover and refrigerate the cowpeas in soaking water for eight hours.
Step 2
Discard soaking water and rinse
Discard soaking water and rinse.
Step 3
Cook cowpeas in fresh water until soft
Cook cowpeas in fresh water until soft.
Step 4
Peel, seed and dice the ash gourd
Peel, seed and dice the ash gourd.
Step 5
Slit the green chilli lengthwise
Slit the green chilli lengthwise.
Step 6
Add gourd and chilli when beans are nearly soft
Add gourd and chilli when beans are nearly soft.
Step 7
Simmer until the gourd is translucent and tender
Simmer until the gourd is translucent and tender.
Step 8
Add salt and fold gently
Add salt and fold gently.
Step 9
Pour in coconut milk and never hard-boil
Pour in coconut milk and never hard-boil.
Step 10
Simmer gently for five minutes
Simmer gently for five minutes.
Step 11
Turn off heat and add coconut oil and curry leaves
Turn off heat and add coconut oil and curry leaves.
Step 12
Cover ten minutes and serve warm
Cover ten minutes and serve warm.
Common mistakes
- Hard boiling splits coconut milk; soften beans before salting.
Tips
For older adults, cook gourd spoon-soft and omit chilli.
