Shukto | শুক্তো | Traditional Bengali Recipe
Shukto is a traditional Bengali dish. It is served at the beginning of a meal. It is bitter-sweet in taste. Different types of vegetables are used in this shukto. You can add or remove vegetables as per your choice but the bitter gourd is a must. Traditionally this is cooked by frying all the vegetables separately. However, for health-conscious people all are not fried except the bitter gourd to reduce its bitterness.
Ingredients (Serves 3-4)
For Panchforon (Five Spice) Powder:
Cumin Seed – ½ Tsp
Fennel Seed – ½ Tsp
Nigella Seed – ½ Tsp
Mustard Seed – ½ Tsp
Fenugreek Seed – ¼ Tsp
Bitter gourd (Karela) cut lengthwise – 1
large
Potato cut lengthwise – 1 medium
Raw Banana cut lengthwise– 1 no.
Brinjal cut lengthwise – 1 medium
Drumstick cut into 1 ½ inch pieces – 1 no.
Bori (Dried lentil dumplings) – 7 to 8
nos.
Bay leaf – 1 no.
Mustard seed – ½ Tsp
Radhuni – ½ Tsp
Ginger paste – ½ Tsp
Mustard Paste – 3 Tsp
Milk – ½ cup
Sugar – 1 Tsp
Ghee – 1 Tsp
Oil – 3 to 4 Tbsp
Salt as per taste
Method:
1. For Panchforon powder in a pan add all the ingredients listed above.
Dry roast for 2-3 minutes. Once cool grind into fine powder and keep aside.
2. Now add 2-3 Tbsp oil. Add the bori and fry for 2-3 minutes or till
golden in colour. Keep aside.
3. Now fry the bitter gourd (karela) for 2-3 minutes and keep aside.
4. In the same oil add 1 bay leaf, ½ Tsp mustard seed and ½ Tsp
Radhuni. Saute for 1-2 minutes.
5. Now add potatoes and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add raw banana and saute
for 2 minutes.
6. Now add drumstick and fry for another 2 minutes.
7. Add brinjals and fry for 2-3 minutes.
8. Add salt as per taste.
9. Add the fried karelas and mix.
10. Add the ginger paste and fry for 1 minute.
11. Now add 1 cup water. Cover and cook for 4-5 minutes.
12. Add the fried bori. Cover and cook for another 4-5 minutes. If
required add some water.
13. Check whether the vegetables are tender.
14. Now add 3 Tsp of mustard paste and mix well
15. Reduce the flame; add ½ cup milk and bring to boil.
16. Add 1 Tsp sugar. Now add 1 Tsp ghee, cover and switch off the flame.
17. Serve with hot rice.
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