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First thing I notice when I travel in Mediterranean countries is how great the food is. When I come home, I read about how healthy it is. A new study says it's even Better. A prescription for all-delicious foods that prevent heart attack and stroke.

Substantial, satisfying, earthy and herbaceous. A late winter basic with a touch of late spring flavor. High-protein vegan. Great and simple. Must be the weather. I really needed another seasonal transition.

After one of those moments when you realize that you, all by yourself, can make something you love to eat. And - quickly and easily - you can make it so much Better and Cheaper than you can buy it. So making it becomes a habit.

Serious, real-deal chili. Deeply delicious and satisfying. Deep, broad and complex flavors. There's much more going on here than just heat. With or without carne, you just need great chile powder to make a great chili for National Chili Day.

Months to go before the tomatoes grow and ripen. Meanwhile, here's a bright, juicy, sweet stand-in. Italians call this giardiniera - things from the garden. Lightly pickled. During winter, when the garden's gone.

Here in the States, we put sauerkraut on our hot dogs. In the Alsace region of France, they put hot dogs on their sauerkraut. If you like dogs, sauerkraut and potato salad, you'll love this big, flavorful cold weather meal.