Olan from Kerala

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Rinse the cowpeas and soak them in water, preferably overnight, to soften them. The next day, drain the water and pressure cook or boil the cowpeas until they are tender but still hold their shape. It's often recommended to discard the cooking water to keep the final dish's color a clean white

Step 2

Peel and chop the ash gourd (and any other vegetables like yellow pumpkin) into small cubes. In a pot or pan, cook the vegetables with the thin coconut milk, green chilies, and salt until they are soft but not mushy

Step 3

Add the cooked cowpeas to the pot with the vegetables. Pour in the thick coconut milk and gently stir to combine. Do not boil the curry after adding the thick coconut milk, as it can curdle. Instead, just heat it for a minute or two until it's warmed through.

Step 4

Turn off the heat. Drizzle the coconut oil generously over the curry. You can also add a few more fresh curry leaves on top for a final flourish. Cover the pot and let it rest for a few minutes for the flavors to meld.