Bengali · serves 2

Shukto

Slightly bitter, mildly sweet, milk-based. Traditionally the first thing on a Bengali plate.

40 min Some work Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 bitter gourd, sliced
  • 4 cups vegetables (potato, lauki, raw banana, drumstick, brinjal)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp poppy seed paste
  • 1 tbsp mustard paste
  • 1 tsp panch phoron
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp mustard oil
  • 1 tbsp ghee

Method

  1. Fry the bitter gourd slices first till browned, take out. Frying tames the bitterness into something pleasant.
  2. Fry the other vegetables lightly in the same oil.
  3. Panch phoron and bay leaves, then ginger paste and 1 cup water.
  4. Vegetables back in, salt and sugar, cover 12 minutes.
  5. Poppy and mustard pastes stirred in, then the milk. Do not boil hard after the milk goes in.
  6. Bitter gourd back in for 2 minutes. Ghee at the end. Eat first, with rice.

Questions people ask about Shukto

How long does Shukto take?

About 40 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. Most of that is active, so read the method through before you start rather than chopping as you go.

What is the one thing to get right in Shukto?

Poppy and mustard pastes stirred in, then the milk. Do not boil hard after the milk goes in.

What can I use instead of potato in Shukto?

Use waxy potatoes hold their shape, floury ones fall apart. For curries you want waxy.

Can I make Shukto ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Shukto vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

What do you serve with Shukto?

Eat first, with rice. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

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