Shukto

Shukto is probably the most authentic Bengali dish. Bengalis typically begin a sumptuous meal with rice and shukto. It is considered a healthy food; it frees up the taste buds, which is very pleasing. Shukto can also be called a Bengali style vegetable stew or soup.

Ingredients

• Bitter Gourd: 1
• Bean pods: 4-5
• Bori: 10–15
• Potato: 1
• Drumsticks: 2
• White radish: 1
• Randhuni: 1and ½ tsp
• Poppy seeds: 2 tbsp
• Ginger paste: 1 tbsp
• Sugar: as per taste
• Salt: as per taste
• Peas: 100 gm
• Raw or green banana: 1
• Green chilly: 2 cut in fine pieces
• Mustard oil: 4 tbsp
• Milk: 1 cup
• Water: 1/2 cup

Method

1. Wash all the veggies and cut them properly.
2. Heat mustard oil in a kadahi and fry the boris in medium flame and strain oil.
3. Now fry the vegetable pieces separately and keep it aside.
4. Temper remaining oil with randhuni. Also add cut chilly pieces.
5. Add ginger paste and cook for 1-2 minutes and add poppy seed paste and again cook for around 2 minutes.
6. Add salt and sugar as per taste and cook again for 1-2 minutes. Now add a little milk and water to the spice mix and boil it.
7. Put all the fried veggies along with raw drumstick into the hot oil and cover the kadahi with a lid.
8. Cook for around 8–10 minutes in low flame or till the veggies are properly cooked.
9. Check the water level and if required add some more water because shukto should have sufficient gravy.
10. Shukto is ready to serve. It is served with plain rice.