Shukto (শুক্তো)

A bitter-sweet medley of vegetables in a milk-based gravy — a traditional Bengali meal starter.

Cuisine: Bengali (West Bengal) · Style: Curry · Protein: Veggies · Total time: 45 minutes · Difficulty: medium · Servings: 4 · Spice: 1/5

Ingredients

• 1 small bitter gourd, sliced
• 1 drumstick, cut into pieces
• 1 raw banana, sliced
• 1 sweet potato, cubed
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp panch phoron
• 1 tbsp mustard paste
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 2 tbsp mustard oil
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp sugar

Steps

1. Fry bitter gourd slices in mustard oil until crisp. Set aside.
2. In same oil, temper panch phoron and bay leaf.
3. Add all vegetables and fry for 3 minutes.
4. Add ginger paste, turmeric, salt, and water. Cook until tender.
5. Add milk and mustard paste, stir gently.
6. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add sugar.
7. Top with fried bitter gourd and serve as the first course with rice.

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