Heat the 3 tbsps of mustard oil in a kadai/ wok/ pan, once heated add in the Kalonji, once it splutters, add the chopped onion and saute it till it becomes translucent. Now add the chicken chunks and saute it for 4 to 5 minutes.

Then add the ginger, mix and saute it,add salt as per taste, Turmeric powder, Kashmiri Lal mirch powder and saute the chicken for about 10 minutes.(No need to cover the kadai)

After this, add the ridge gourd and mix well for a minute or two then add 1 cup warm water, cover and cook for about 10 minutes. Add few raw chillies too at this time (may be 2-3 as per your preference).

After about 10 minutes or so add the poppy seeds paste and mix well, cover and cook for another 10 minutes or so. (It takes almost 10 minutes for the raw flavour of the poppy seeds to go.)

After 10 minutes or so the water has evaporated from the curry and the chicken has cooked,the ridge gourd has softened and cooked and formed the part of the gravy itself. Check salt and add if required. At this point add 1 tbsp of mustard oil (it gives a nice flavour to the curry),mix well, cover and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. Put off the flame and let it rest for another 5-10 minutes. Serve it hot with steamed rice, chapati, paratha.