DAY Recipe

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Blend crumbs, butter, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt in a food processor until mixture begins to hold together and pat onto bottom and up side of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Bake in middle of oven until side of crust is firm to the touch, 14 to 18 minutes.

Sprinkle chocolate chips into hot crust and let stand 5 minutes to soften. Spread evenly over bottom of crust.
Beat cream with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar and rum until it holds soft peaks. Cut bananas into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Whisk preserves and add bananas, tossing to coat. Spoon banana mixture into crust and top with whipped cream.

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 500°F.

Peel potatoes and halve lengthwise, then cut each half lengthwise into 4 wedges. Transfer to a shallow baking pan and toss with oil to coat. Combine salt and spices and sprinkle over potatoes.

Roast potatoes in lower third of oven, turning over halfway through roasting, until tender and browned, 15 to 20 minutes total.

DIRECTIONS

Wash rice in several changes of water until water runs clear, then drain rice well in a sieve. Bring rice and 3 cups water to a boil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan and cook, covered, over very low heat until water is absorbed and rice is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork.

Heat oil in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook mustard seeds, stirring, until seeds begin to pop. Add ginger and ‰ cup peanuts and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add turmeric, rice, and salt to taste, stirring to coat rice thoroughly. Remove skillet from heat and stir in lemon juice. Sprinkle with remaining peanuts and zest.

DIRECTIONS

Stir together cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and yogurt. Heat oil in a small heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook mustard seeds, cumin, and urad dal, stirring, until mustard seeds begin to pop. Pour oil mixture over vegetables and stir until combined. Stir in cilantro and salt to taste.

Cooks’ note:
• You can make pachadi 6 hours ahead and chill, covered.

*Dals are dried legumes.

DIRECTIONS

Stir together turmeric, 1 1/2 cups water, and paneer and let stand 20 minutes. Drain cheese in a sieve and gently pat dry.

Cook spinach in remaining 1/2 cup water in a large saucepan, covered, over moderately high heat until wilted and tender, about 2 minutes. Coarsely purée spinach, without draining, in a food processor. Mash garlic with ginger to a paste.

Heat 6 tablespoons ghee in a large nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown paneer in 2 batches, gently turning to avoid breaking up and transferring to a bowl as browned. Add onions and sauté, stirring, 5 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate. Add garlic paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add coriander, chile powder, asafetida, and cinnamon stick and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add tomatoes and spinach purée and simmer sauce, stirring occasionally, until thickened and almost all of liquid is evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes. Gently stir in paneer and salt to taste.