Indian · Kerala · side
Olan (Ash Gourd and Red Cowpeas in Coconut Milk)
Olan (Ash Gourd and Red Cowpeas in Coconut Milk) reads richness 6.1, sweetness 4.2 and nutty 4.1 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Indian · Kerala side, about 23 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.
The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10
- Umami & Savory — 3.8 / 10
- Sweet & Fruity — 4.9 / 10
- Sour & Bright — 1.4 / 10
- Bitter & Earthy — 2.1 / 10
- Rich & Fat — 7.4 / 10
- Aromatic & Spice — 4.1 / 10
The measured notes (of 18)
Richness 6.1 · Sweetness 4.2 · Nutty 4.1 · Salinity 3.6 · Heat 3.6 · Fruity 2.4 · Floral 2.3 · Herbaceous 2.3 · Earthy 2.0 · Umami 1.9 · Warm Spice 1.7 · Citrus 1.2 · Sourness 0.6
What's in it (9)
- ash gourd — 400 g
- black-eyed peas — 100 g
- green chilies — 400 g
- salt — 6 g
- coconut milk — 184 g
- coconut milk — 184 g
- curry leaves — 2 g
- coconut oil — 27 g
- water — 100 g
Time & effort: about 23 min · effort: easy
Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 100.2 kcal, 2.2 g protein, 7.8 g fat, 6.5 g carbs
Dietary: Vegetarian · Contains dairy — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.
How it's cooked (5 steps)
- Put the ash gourd, green chillies, salt and water in a wide pan, cover and cook 8 minutes over medium heat until the gourd is translucent at the edges but not collapsing.
- Add the cooked cowpeas and the thin coconut milk and simmer gently, uncovered, for 6 to 8 minutes until the liquid reduces by about a third.
- Lower the heat to its minimum and pour in the thick coconut milk. Warm it for 2 minutes without letting a single bubble break the surface; olan has no browning, no tempering and no chilli powder, and its whole appeal is sweet, white and quiet, so anything that boils or scorches ruins it.
- Take the pan off the heat, drop in the curry leaves and pour over the raw coconut oil.
- Cover and rest 5 minutes. Serve as part of a sadya, alongside sharper dishes.
Dishes with a similar flavor shape
- Aviyal ( One Of The Most Healthiest Vegetable Preparation.) — Indian
- Samosa — Indian
- Idli with Thengai Chutney — Indian · Tamil Nadu
- Roti Canai (Flaky Indian-Malay Flatbread) — Malaysian
- Dal Baati Churma — Indian · Rajasthan
Keep reading: what richness, sweetness, nutty mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.
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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.