Eating

Costa Rica ranks #1 on the Happy Planet Index. Think they eat well there? I'd guess they're Happy about their diet because their food tastes so good. Sure it's healthy, but it's really fun to eat. Here's a Happy Day in the Life.

The French Way. For breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Hard to beat if you're in the mood for something warm and melting. Sweet and salty. Luxury in your mouth. For $2.50.

Luscious, rich, aromatic. Without all that last-minute stirring. Just get it started an hour before you want to serve and eat. Elegant and hearty. Great served with almost any vegetable or alongside fish, chicken or meat.

It warms and soothes. It's smooth and refined, but it's substantial, not weenie. It's delicious in a way that's simple and complex at the same time. It's sweet. It's earthy. Smooth and creamy with zero cream or milk. You gotta make this.

Winter's answer to the Greek salad. Smoking hot, right out of the oven. Spinach. Feta cheese. White beans, no olives. Brown on top, bubbling throughout. A very green and rich-but-not-heavy gratin casserole. You'll be amazed you made it yourself. Easily.

I wanted a light but substantial lunch. A juicy, bright fresh salad. But it's January in New York. No tomato. No peach. Finally, I tossed this together: somewhere between a tropical tabbouleh and a fruit ceviche. It's delicious.

A terrifically easy Way to add a load of flavor to a simple vegetarian dish. A winter dish that delivers a load of Vitamin A, protein and powerfully anti-imflammatory herbs and spices. And 100% of your Daily Flavor Requirement.

Festive and crunchy. Not your everyday granola. Granola you linger over on holiday weekend mornings. Bright and spicy. A wake-up call without coffee. One of the tastiest Ways to get more whole grains in your diet. One of the easiest-to-keep New Year's resolutions.

So tasty, quick and easy. The holiday's best leftover. That Christmas Rib Roast is deeply delicious. If you served reasonable portion sizes, you have leftovers and the makings of a great hash. For breakfast, lunch and/or dinner.

They're enjoying the Gros Souper. The Great Supper. All satisfaction, no deprivation. But not many calories. And a Glycemic Load near zero. It's luscious, it's fragrant. Preparation time: less than 10 minutes. You can do this. Easily.