Shukto recipe step by step | Bengali Shukto recipe step by step (2024)

Shukto, a renowned Bengali dish, is a delectable curry crafted from an assortment of vegetables. It is customary to commence a traditional Bengali feast with a serving of rice accompanied by the flavorsome shukto aka shuktoni.

"ছি ছি ছি রানী রাঁধতে শেখেনি... শুক্তনিতে ঝাল দিয়েছে অম্বলেতে ঘি!"

This renowned Bengali melody illustrates the art of preparing Shukto flawlessly! What other introduction could I have chosen for this post? When translated, the song goes as follows: Rani lacks culinary expertise; she mistakenly adds chili to Shuktoni/Shukto and ghee to Ambal/Chutney! It is evident from the song that chili is strictly forbidden in Shukto. Is it so? Read ahead and find!

Some tricks for cooking perfect shukto- Ingredients you shouldn't miss

Oh, and let me tell you, I always like to add a touch of dried Red Chili to my Shukto. It's become a bit of a tradition for me whenever I make Shukto or Shuktoni. It's funny, because I can't really cook anything else besides Shukto! My father has this belief that a Bengali chef's skill is measured by their ability to prepare Shukto. It may sound silly, but sometimes we just have to go along with our parents, don't we?

Why Shuktoni? Variations of Shukto

Believe it or not, my parents judge one's cooking prowess based on their ability to masterfully prepare Shukto. This fact always leaves me feeling anxious whenever I attempt to cook it in my own kitchen. Growing up, I would watch my mother and aunts effortlessly slice and dice vegetables before cooking up a generous portion of Shukto. However, for me, the process of making Shukto is nothing short of laborious. Almost every time I decide to make it for lunch, it becomes the sole dish of the day, with dinner being outsourced from elsewhere. I can't comprehend how my mother manages to prepare it so flawlessly and without creating any chaos in the kitchen! As a precaution, I always make a surplus of Shukto so that my husband can enjoy it for the next couple of days.

Shukto doesn't seem to be a hit at Mehebub's parents' place. The Shukto I tasted there lacked some flavor. Nevertheless, my Mother-in-law excels in preparing other delectable dishes such as Aande ka Halwa or Masoor Dal with Malabar Spinach, among others.

Bengali Shukto - Ingredients

In our Bengali culture, we hold Shukto in high regard, reserving it for special occasions such as weddings and birthdays. However, it is strictly a lunchtime delicacy. This unique vegetarian dish combines a medley of vegetables, including Bitter Guard, Eggplant, Green Banana, Potato, Sweet potato, Drumsticks, White radish, and Hyacinth Beans. To add an extra touch of flavor, many Bengalis, myself included, opt for the exclusive spice known as "Randhuni" when preparing Shukto. Personally, I make sure to stock up on Randhuni during my visits to Kolkata, ensuring I always have it on hand for future cooking endeavors.

Here's how I cook Bengali Shukto aka Shuktoni at Debjanir Rannaghar!

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Shukto Video Recipe

Other Bengali No Onion No garlic Preparations apart from Shukto from Debjanir Rannaghar

• Narkel diye Niramish Ghugni (Also known as Bengali Ghugni or Yellow Peas Curry)
• Phulkopir Singara (also known as Kolkata style Fulkopir Shingara)
• Bori Aloor Jhal (Also known as Bengali Bori’r Jhal)
• Lau Shaker Chorchori (Also known as Bengali Vegetarian Mishmash with Bottle Gourd Greens)
• Katoya Data Chorchori (Also known as Bengali Style Mix-veg with Drumsticks)
• Papor er Dalna (Also known as Bengali Papad Curry)
• Sheemer Jhal (Also known as Bengali Shorshe Sheem or Broad Bean Curry with Mustard Paste)
• Panch Mishali Tarkari (Also known as Panch Mishili Torkari)
• Phulkopir Roast (Also known as Bengali Roasted Cauliflower)
• Lau ar Aloo er Khosa Bhaja (Also known as Stir-Fried Bottle Gourd and Potato Skin/ Peel )
• Narkel diye Cholar Dal (Also known as Bengali Cholar Dal)

More Bengali Veg Recipes

• Chanar Dalna (also known as Bengali Cottage Cheese and Potato Curry)
• Kumror Chakka (Also known as Bengali Pumpkin curry)
• Aloo Phulkopir Dalna (Also known as Bengali Potato and Cauliflower Curry)
• Rosogollar Dalna (Also known as Bengali Rasgulla Curry)
• Sada Aloo Chorchori (also known as Bengali Potato Curry)
• Lomba Dantiwala Begun Bhaja (Bengali fried Eggplant)
• Bengali Kolai Dal (Also known as Biulir Dal or Bengali Urad Dal)
• Postor Bora (Also known as Bengali Poppy Seed Fritters)
• Aloo Posto (Also known as Bengali Poppy Seed curry with potato)
• Gota Sheddho (Also known as Bengali Veggie Cold soup Gota)
• Kancha Aamer Chutney (Also known as Bengali Raw mango chutney)
• Dhokar Dalna (also known as Bengali Lentil Cake Curry)
• Paneer er Dalna (also known as Niramish Paneer Torkari)
• Niramish Bhuni Khichuri (also known as Bengali Bhuni Khichuri)
• Neem Begun (also known as Bengali nim Begun Bhaji)
• Chana Bhapa (also known ad Bengali Bhapa Chenna)

Have you tried the Shukto Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!

Please inform me of your experience and feel free to send a photo to dolonchttrj@gmail.com. Additionally, you can find me on various social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Google News, X, and Thread. Don't forget to use the hashtag #debjanirrannaghar when sharing your attempts at my recipes or if you have any questions or recipe requests.

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About Debjani Chatterjee Alam

I am Debjani Chatterjee Alam. A CSR specialist by profession and a food writer, food blogger, and food photographer as well. I live in Kolkata along with my Husband Mehebub who is an architect by profession, my daughter Pasta, and also my dog daughters Coffee and Luchi.

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