Today I am going to share my favorite recipe, olan, Kerala Onam Sadya special recipe. This olan is very mild and soothing because of the healing properties of coconut and coconut milk, and of course, it is vegan, nut-free and gluten-free. Check out the video instructions and a detailed recipe below.
Instant Pot olan
With Instant Pot, you can prepare this stew without soaking the black-eyed peas. Once you have the white and red pumpkin (either one would work too) chopped, then you can whip this dish in a jiffy. We first do the tempering, dump in all the ingredients, and let Instant Pot do its magic. Also, I am using store-bought coconut milk, making this dish easy to prepare. (PS – I prepared this dish live on IG during the 2020 Onam sadya) I have provided the stove-top instructions as well.
Ingredients required
To Temper: We need coconut oil, cumin seeds, green chili, dried red chili, and curry leaves. Black-eyed peas: You can use either white or brown black-eyed peas for this recipe. In Tamil, we call it karamani/thattai Payaru, and in Malayalam, we call it vanapayar. The black-eyed peas are known for their health benefits and protein content (approx. 11 g per uncooked cup), and when combined with coconut milk, it forms a great combo. Butternut squash and ash gourd: Traditionally, red pumpkin is used, but I went with butternut squash instead of red pumpkin as I couldn’t source pumpkin on time. You can use a combination of red and white pumpkin, or either one is fine. Coconut milk: For this olan recipe, I went with store-bought coconut milk. Apart from these ingredients, we also need salt.
Homemade coconut milk
You can make homemade coconut milk too, for this recipe. And here is how you make it. For one-half of freshly grated coconut ( Break the coconut into two halves and grate the one-half), add 1 cup of lukewarm water and grind it. Squeeze out the milk, and this is the first and thick coconut milk. Grind again by adding 1 cup of water and extract the milk; and this is the second and thin coconut milk. If you love coconut milk like me, check out some exciting recipes with coconut milk.
Watch me make the olan in Instant Pot.
Here is the video recipe of the same. Please subscribe to my youtube channel and stay tuned for new recipes.
How to make olan
Prep-Work
Wash the black-eyed peas and set them aside. I did not soak the black-eyed peas as the variety/brand that I used became mushy when soaked for a long time. But you can soak black-eyed peas for a minimum of 45 minutes and a maximum of 2 hours. If you want very soft and mushy black-eyed peas, I recommend soaking for 2 hours. Peel and chop 1 cup of butternut squash and white pumpkin.Take ⅓ cup of thick coconut milk and dilute it with water to get 1.5 cups of thin coconut milk.Set aside ½ cup of thick coconut milk.Slit the green chilies.
Instant Pot method
Set the IP to saute mode and add the coconut oil.Once it is hot, add the cumin seeds, curry leaves, green chili, and red chili.Saute for a minute, and then add the washed black-eyed peas.Mix them all and add the chopped vegetables and salt.Now add the thin coconut milk and mix them all.Set the IP in manual mode for 3 minutes. After it beeps, wait for 5 minutes and release the pressure quickly.Then carefully open the lid and mix the ingredients.Set the IP back in saute mode and let it simmer for 5 minutes.After 5 minutes, add the thick coconut milk and mix again. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, and that’s it. The Olan is ready.
Pressure cooker / Stove-top method
Pressure cook the black-eyed peas by adding 1 cup of water for just one whistle.Heat a heavy bottom pan/vessel and add the coconut oil.Once it is hot, add the cumin seeds and curry leaves, green chili, and red chili.Saute for a minute, and then add the chopped veggies and cooked olan.Add the thin coconut milk and let it cook until the vegetables are soft and tender.Once the vegetables are soft and tender, add the thick coconut milk and let it simmer for five more minutes.
Recipe notes
Traditionally red pumpkin is used, but I went with butternut squash. You use either red or white pumpkin or a combo of both.Adjust salt and spice as per your preference.Also, you can use either white or brown-eyed peas for this recipe.
Explore other Onam recipes
If you try this olan recipe, please don’t forget to comment and rate this recipe. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I will get to it ASAP. Follow me on my Pinterest for more healthy and delicious ideas! Follow me on Instagram or join my Facebook Group for more recipe updates! You can also sign-up for my newsletter for weekly updates.
📖 Recipe
