Shukto: A deliciously bitter Bengali starter | Periuk.my

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 small bitter gourd, sliced
• 1 medium eggplant, cut into batons
• 1 tsp panch poron—a 5-spice mix of fennel, fenugreek, cumin, black cumin or nigella, mustard seeds
• 3 stalks dried chilies
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 inch ginger, pounded
• 2 tbsp mustard seeds, soaked in lukewarm water for 15 minutes and ground into a paste
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 potato, cut into wedges
• ½ medium white radish, cut into batons
• ½ medium sweet potato, cut into batons
• 3 green beans, cut into 5cm pieces
• ½ medium carrot, cut into batons
• 2 cups water
• 3 tbsp butter OR 1 tbsp ghee
• Sugar to taste
• Salt to taste