Eating

I woke up in Hawaii so I'm in a total Hawaii state of mind. When I'm not here, vivid memories of pineapple upside down cake put me in this state of mind. You should try this. Incredibly delicious for dessert, brunch or breakfast. Transporting.

Delicious and aromatic. Cheap complete protein. No fat. Quick and easy. Cannellini Beans in Smoky Tomato Sauce on Creamy Polenta. $2.50 and 250 calories per 15-ounce serving. Dance it off in 30 minutes.

This wasn't supposed to be a Way. Wasn't even supposed to be a meal. It just happened. A pot of the most flavorful, satisfying, soul-warming soup. A beef brodo with everything in it.

Today: Happy National Bean Day. Tonight: something hot, steaming, rich but light. Something spectacularly delicious that cooks itself in one pot.

It's a weird thing, fish skin. It can be as a good as a really good potato chip. Thin, light, crisp, dry, slightly salty. Or it can be slippery, oily, chewy and even a little fatty. Something that could strike you as ... gross. Here's how you make the really good version.

Jamming to finish the last unfinished business before vacation. Delighted to make a great meal in six minutes. A fish entree that's thoroughly satisfying, hugely flavorful and completely healthful. Light but hearty, high-protein, zero glycemic load.

Next week: vacation. This week: lots of work to do - and great appreciation for batches of leftover deliciousness that require no real cooking. Like salsa verde-topped "tostadas" made from leftover polenta. Tart, sweet, spicy, warm, soft and crispy in each bite.

Molten Chocolate Cake. The last course of the last meal of the year. Out with a bang. A warm, soft semi-sweet one with a super-low glycemic load. Spectacular in your mouth, with or without Champagne.

In South Carolina, USA, they eat a lot of Hoppin' John next week. Rice and black-eyed peas. For some, it's the hangover cure. For others, it brings good luck for the New Year. In this version, South Carolina meets Italian cuisine. I feel lucky already.