Lau Shukto

Shukto is a bengali starter that typically contains bitter gourd as the main  ingredient. Bitter gourds are well known to improve digestive functions of the intestine, apart from its other nutritional values. An ideal starter to a lunch menu during the hot summer months...

Serving Size: 3-4 persons

Ingredients:

Karela/Bitter Gourd - 1 small, cut into rings

Lau/Lauki/Bottle Gourd - 1kg, cut into thin strips

Milk - 1/4th cup

Mustard Seeds - 1tsp

Bori/Vadi - 8-10; How to make bori (vadi)?

Sugar - 1/2 tsp

Salt - To taste

Oil - 2 tbsp

Cooking procedure:

1. Heat oil in kadhai and fry the bori till they are brownish and crunchy. Keep aside and fry the cut karela pieces in the same oil till brownish. Set the fried karela aside.

2. Leave 1 tbsp oil in kadhai and heat. Add mustard seeds and fry till seeds splutter.

3. Add lau and cover to cook on medium-low heat.

4. When the water (from the vegetable) dries up and lau is cooked add salt, sugar, and milk. Stir and cook on low heat for further 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Shukto is not a dry preparation and should contain a little gravy.

5. Add fried karela, and sprinkle crushed  bori (vadis) on the dish before serving.

Serving Suggestions: