Bitter gourd Powder

One of my friend brought this powder from her home town and shared some with me. I really like it and asked her for the recipe. She shared her mom's recipe long back but I did not get a chance to try it and finally now I tried it. It is really nice and tasty. Goes very well with hot rice. Add some ghee on top this powder and have it with hot rice on a rainy day or snowy day. Awesome combination. Just had it and here goes the recipe.

Ingredients:

Bitter gourd : 7 (medium size)
Oil to deep fry

For Powder :

1 cup roasted chana dal
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup Dry coconut powder
Curry leaves - handful
Dry red chillies - 10 (Adjust according to your taste)
garlic pods - 10 to 12
Salt to taste
Asafoetida or hing - 1/4 tsp

Procedure :
Dry roast sesame seeds and curry leaves. Set aside.
Dry roast red chillies and set aside. Alternately you can also use red chilli powder.
Cut bitter gourd into round pieces, spread them on a plate or on a cookie sheet and leave them for 2 to 3 hours. Alternately, pat dry them using paper towels.

After 2 hours, deep fry the pieces in hot oil until they turn light golden color.

Transfer sesame seeds, red chillies, coconut powder, curry leaves, chana dal, garlic and salt into a mixer jar and grind them into fine powder.
Now add the powder to fried bitter gourd pieces and combine well
Finally heat 1 tablespoon of oil, add asafoetida and fry for few seconds. Add it to the powder mixture.
Serve with hot rice.