Eating

Of lemon. Actually, a slice. Or two. Very, very thin. A few cents' worth of thinly sliced lemon transforms the old ham & cheese sandwich to a lighter, brighter and juicier party in your mouth. The best sandwich you've chewed on in a while. For $1.

Less than $2 for a satisfying dish that's packed with protein, calcium, fiber, Vitamins B and C and iron. Delicious and aromatic. Cheap complete protein. No fat. Quick and easy. Invite all your vegan friends for dinner.

No kidding. No irony. Turns out, easy as pie is a truism. $2.30 for two monumentally buttery, flaky pie crusts. 10 minutes of hands-on to make them. From nothing but flour and butter. $3.50 for the whole spectacular apple pie. You have to do this. It makes you happy.

Good lookin'. Easy cookin'. For a beautiful dish, this has to be one of the easiest, quickest, cheapest things going. Delicious, too. Whole grain corn and a big, sweet red pepper. Required skills: stirring, slicing. Not too much of either.

Less than $1 for 4 satisfying cornbread crostini with this very flavorful dip or spread. Packed with protein, calcium, fiber, Vitamins B and C and iron. Delicious and aromatic. Cheap complete protein. Quick and easy. Invite all your vegan friends.

Pickle them. Hey, it's not lemonade weather. Preserved lemons are sour, sweet and salty. They brighten, lighten, deepen and sharpen all kinds of dishes. I just made and devoured some Roasted Eggplant-Preserved Lemon Bruschetta.

Creamy Polenta with Rich Vegetable Gravy. Delicious and aromatic. Cheap complete protein. No fat. Quick and easy. Invite all your vegan friends for dinner. $1.25 for a satisfying meal packed with protein, calcium, fiber, Vitamins B and C and iron.

Big flavor, light weight. Totally aromatic and delicious. Three flavors so strong and complementary you don't even need salt. $1 per person for a satisfyingly rich meal with a heavy dose of Vitamins A and C.

Bananas, papayas and coconuts on my mind. This isn't an authentic Costa Rican dessert. And it's sure not an authentic Neapolitan pizza. But it's a wonderfully light and flavorful dessert, brunch or breakfast.

In Costa Rica, the national breakfast of champions is gallo pinto. Rice & beans. When you order it, you get more: fried plantains. And probably a corn tortilla. Complete protein. Completely delicious.