Traditional Bengali Shukto Recipe: A Wholesome Mixed Vegetable Dish

Shukto is a traditional Bengali vegetable dish commonly served with rice. Known for its mildly bitter taste, this dish is often enjoyed at the beginning of a Bengali meal. It also holds a special place in traditional celebrations, including Bengali weddings and Annaprasana ceremonies.

Prepared with a variety of vegetables and aromatic spices, Shukto offers a unique combination of flavours and textures. This version uses vegan milk instead of regular milk and includes lentil dumplings, making it suitable for those looking for a plant-based meal option.

Ingredients for Bengali Shukto

• 1 cup sweet potato, chopped
• 1 cup bitter gourd, sliced
• 1 cup raw banana, chopped
• 2 cups brinjal, chopped
• 2 cups green beans and drumsticks, chopped
• 1 cup bori or lentil dumplings
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• 5 tablespoons vegan milk
• 1 tablespoon horse gram flour
• 1 teaspoon panch phoron
• ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 tablespoon radhuni or carom seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 dried red chillies
• ½ teaspoon oil
• 1½ teaspoons stevia powder, optional
• Salt to taste

How to Prepare Shukto

Step 1: Prepare the spice mix

Dry-roast the panch phoron and mustard seeds in a pan. Allow them to cool, grind into a powder, and keep aside.

Step 2: Sauté the spices

Heat oil in a pan. Add ginger paste, dried red chillies, radhuni or carom seeds, and bay leaves. Sauté briefly until aromatic.

Step 3: Cook the vegetables

Add the chopped vegetables and salt. Cook for about seven minutes, stirring occasionally. Add one cup of water, cover, and simmer for another 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Step 4: Prepare the creamy mixture

Mix the horse gram flour with vegan milk until smooth and lump-free. Add this mixture to the vegetables and stir well. Simmer for two minutes.

Step 5: Add the lentil dumplings

Add the prepared bori or lentil dumplings and cook covered for another three to four minutes.

Step 6: Finish the dish

Turn off the heat and mix in the prepared Shukto masala. Serve warm with a moderate portion of rice as part of a balanced meal.

A Wholesome Addition to Everyday Meals

Shukto combines vegetables such as bitter gourd, brinjal, green beans, and sweet potato with traditional Bengali spices. These ingredients provide fibre and various nutrients. For people managing blood sugar, portion sizes matter because sweet potato, raw banana, and rice contribute carbohydrates. Pairing the dish with an appropriate portion of rice and other balanced meal components can help support overall dietary goals.

This traditional Bengali recipe brings together regional flavours, plant-based ingredients, and the comfort of home-cooked food.