If you are looking for a flavorful and authentic Bengali recipe, look no further than the timeless classic of Shukto. This stew, made with a medley of vegetables and spices, is perfect as an appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 bitter melon, sliced
- 1 raw banana or plantain, sliced
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 eggplant, cubed
- 3 tbsp oil
- Panch phoron (whole spice mix) – fenugreek seeds + fennel seeds+ nigella seed+ cumin seeds+mango powder – mixed in equal amounts according to taste.
- A handful of drumstick flower or chopped green beans can also be added for extra flavor.
Directions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add panch phoron mix to the hot oil.
- Once it starts crackling add cubed eggplant & sliced bitter gourd to it; stir-fry till everything is lightly browned (about five minutes).
- Then add sweet potato/potato/banana slices along with salt; fry till all the vegetables are slightly caramelized on edges( around ten minutes)
5.Now pour two cups water into the pan and let the vegetables simmer for about fifteen minutes until they soften up completely but not mushy.)
6.Turn off heat if there’s too much liquid left after cooking then keep covered until ready to serve.
Cooking Time & Temperature Guidelines:
Preparation time: 15 minutes;
Cooking time:30 Minutes;
Total time:45 Minutes
My Pro-tips:
• You can use any blend of vegetables that you prefer for this recipe.
• Adding ginger-garlic paste adds an extra dimension to the flavor.
• Sweetness in the recipe can be adjusted with extra sweet potatoes or bananas.
Seasoning Options:
The recipe is traditionally seasoned with Panch Phoron mix, but you can customize the seasoning to your taste preferences. Other popular additions include cumin powder, turmeric, and Kashmiri chili powder for extra heat.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe:
A large skillet or wok will work well for cooking this dish.
To sum Up:
This Shukto Recipe captures the authentic flavors of Bengali cuisine through a unique blend of vegetables and spices that create a hearty and satisfying stew.
FAQs
Q: What is Bengali Shukto, and what are the ingredients used in this recipe?
A: Bengali Shukto is a traditional vegetarian dish from Bengal that consists of multiple vegetables cooked together in a mildly spiced gravy. The primary ingredients used in this recipe include bitter gourd, raw papaya, potatoes, drumsticks (moringa), eggplants (brinjal), ridge gourd (luffa), white radish and green bananas. Other commonly added ingredients include panch phoron spice mix, ginger paste, mustard oil and milk.
Q: How do I prepare the vegetables for Bengali Shukto Recipe?
A: To prepare the vegetables for Bengali shukto recipe, you need to wash them properly first. Then peel & cut them into bite-sized pieces or long strips as directed in the recipe instructions. Bitter gourds need to be sliced thinly while potato can be cubed or wedged. You also need to scrape out the inside of drumsticks from both ends using a teaspoon as they’re not edible. Once all veggies are chopped add them to boiling water for 4-5 minutes until tender but not too soft.
Q: Can I alter the spices or use substitutes in this traditional Shukto recipe?
A: Yes! There’s always an opportunity to create your unique flavor profile by adjusting spices according to your taste preferences! Also replacing certain ingredients based on availability may require changes in other compounds’ amounts & cooking time procedures so experiment cautiously when it comes down different versions like coconut milk instead of dairy milk etc., At first try preparing without any drastic variations before deciding which method gives exceptional results!
