SHUKTONI

SHUKTONI

Shukto or Shuktoni is a very healthy starter for our daily lifestyle. Shukto is popularly know as Shuktoni in Opar Bangla, Bangladesh. It is a Portuguese dish which was later adopted by Bengalis. My granny used to say that when the Portuguese were ruling India, they used to cook a similar dish using local ingredients. Bengalies customized it by adding ghee, milk to it.

We all hate having bitter gourd or neem leaves, here, Shukto comes as a saviour. It is a mixture of vegetables along with bitter gourd or neem. I love having Shukto because it works as a cooling agent in hot humid climate. It helps in food digestion. It is absolutely a mixture of vegetables, bitterness, sweetness and a creamy flavour. Those who hate vegetables try Shuktoni at least once in your life and your perception will change. Eat plenty of vegetables and less animal protein. Try to grow veggies in your own garden. A kitchen garden can make your body free from artificial acids.

Let's check the health benefits of the ingredients:

Bitter gourd or Karela:

• Low in Cholesterol and sodium
• Very good for Diabetics
• Rich in Vitamine A and C
• Good source of magnesium, potassium, and zinc
• Good source of Fiber which results in healing constipation
• Helps to maintain a healthy kidney and liver
• Can prevent Cancer, Respiratory disorder, Heart disease etc.
• Good for weight loss treatment (when consumed raw)
• Purifies blood resulting in healthy glowing skin

Vegetable:

• A vegetable diet is a healthy diet
• Vegetable contains natural Fiber
• The more veggies you eat the more you glow

Ingredients: (Serves 4)

• Bitter gourd: 4 medium size
• Danta or drumstick: 5-6
• Potol or Parwal: 5-6
• Kanchkola: 2
• Brinjal: 1
• Radhuni or Caraway seeds phoron
• Bori or lentil dumplings
• Salt to taste
• Grated ginger
• Sugar to taste
• Water as per needed
• Turmeric powder: a pinch
• Chilly: 1-2
• Bay leaves: 2-3
• Oil for cooking
• Cumin paste: 2 tblsp
• Milk: 2 cups
• Ghee

Drumsticks

Few vegetables

Radhuni or caraway seeds

Cumin paste

DIRECTION:

1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Fry the bori and keep aside.
3. Fry the Karela and keep aside.
4. Frey danta and keep aside.
5. Now, add bay leaves and radhuni phoron and saute for a minute.
6. Add all the vegetables, fried bori, karela, danta and salt, turmeric and fry for few minutes.
7. Add grated ginger and cumin paste and stir.
8. Now, add water and cover.
9. When the veggies become tender add sugar and milk.
10. Cook for a while.
11. Garnish with Ghee.
12. Your Shukto is ready to serve. 

Fry Karela

Fried Bori

Add water and cover

Add milk

NB: You can add different vegetables which you like. I use milk to alleviate the taste of Karela. I recommend tasting your food before serving.