Lauki Chicken (Bottle Gourd with Chicken)

Bottle Gourd (Lauki) was one of the first cultivated plants in the world, grown not primarily for food, but for use as a water container.... The bottle gourd may have been carried from Africa to Asia, Europe and the Americas in the course of human migration.... And as a Muslim I love to eat that because that's our last prophet's Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) favorite veggie...

today I made it with curried chicken with lots n lots mint... which compliment best with bottle gourd... so all you need:

chicken 1 lb- 1/2 kg

bottle gourd (lauki) 1 small

fried onion 3-4 tbsp

yogurt 3/4 cup

minced garlic 1 tsp

salt 1 tsp

red chili powder 1 - 1 1/2 tsp

coriander powder 1 tsp

turmeric powder 1/4 tsp

oil 1/4 - 1/2 cup

mint 4 tbsp ( i sun dry it and keep all the time in cabinet... you can use fresh too)

heat oil, add fried onion, yogurt, garlic, salt, red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder... and mix well

add around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water... and blend all together... cook on love heat covered, till oil comes up... 8 - 10 minutes

cut bottle gourd in 4 parts vertically... then make 1/8th inch thick slices

when masala get done, add chicken

and cook till chicken changes its color

add chopped bottle gourd

mix well, cover all bottle gourd's pieces with prepared masala... cover and cook on low heat till chicken and bottle gourd get tender

i like less watery kind (bhunna) if you want runny gravy you can add water

cook till you get your desired consistency

add mint leaves (spare some for garnishing) mix well... and switch off the flame

dish out and sprinkle mint leaves and serve with boiled rice or with Naan