Olan

Olan is that perfect concoction of vegetable in coconut milk broth that has been a known flavour in Kerala, and is a regular at all the feasts.

Ingredients
2 cups ash gourd, diced
½ cup red cow peas, boiled
1 pinch cumin
6 chillies split
6 shallots
1 cup thick coconut milk
1 dsp coconut oil
Curry leaves
3½ €“  4 cups water

Preparation
Cook ash gourd in a dish along with boiled red cow peas, shallots, salt and green chillies
Cook until the ash gourd turns soft 
The beans shouldn't get mashed and must retain their shape
When water reduces after boiling, add coconut milk and curry leaves
Keep it on low flame for a few minutes. Do not let it boil once the coconut milk is added. 
Drizzle some coconut oil over the dish, and take it off the flame 
Take care to ensure that the gravy is neither too loose nor too thick