18 recipes that are guaranteed to make you smile

March 20th is the International Day of Happiness. As we face a global crisis together, let's find positive ways to look after ourselves and each other. We're leaning on these recipes to help lift our spirits.

Fire up your meals to put a smile on your dial. Source: Getty Images | Westend61

Food is never more important than when facing troubled times. As well as providing nourishment, it can bring focus to long days and lift spirits in both physical and mental ways. Each of these recipes has been carefully chosen to inject some happiness into everyday life and we can only hope these foods bring a little smile to yours.

Colour therapy

While the jury is still out over whether colour therapy is actually beneficial, there's certainly no harm in cheering yourself up with an injection of strong colours. Many people report feeling happier when surrounded by colours they love, so see whether one of these recipes gives you a boost.

Punchy pickles

These bright red pickles will add a blast of colour therapy and flavour to all kinds of dishes. Source: Hardie Grant Books

These pickles brighten meals everywhere in Yucatán, Mexico. Their punchy flavours come from red onions and red wine vinegar, and not much else. Pickling is a very satisfying activity that puts your future-self front and centre. That's bound to make you feel good.

Flipping sunshine

These crêpes are made with buckwheat flour, chia seeds and happiness. Source: Jordanna Levin

These turmeric-yellow crêpes look like sunshine on a plate. It's early days yet, but curcumin, the active anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric, has also been shown to have a positive effect on the physiological systems that may cause depression.

Jammin' the yam

Ube is a common ingredient in Filipino cookery and tastes slightly nutty with a hint of vanilla. Source: Brett Stevens

Just saying 'yam jam' really fast a few times is enough to make you feel good. Add the vivid purple colour and you're practically singing. Just look at that yam jam up there! You can get ube - purple yams - from Filipino shops and some Asian speciality stores.

Turn up the heat

Eating chillies floods your brain with endorphins and "induce a pervasive sense of happiness, even a rush, which can be addictive,” says Michael Mosley. So, punch it up!

Go hard

Judy’s extra hot Liberian chilli sauce will (probably quite literally) blow your cares away. Source: Amy Brown

Liberian home cook Judy Cole says this volcanic chilli sauce, "will take you to Africa and back again!" See, we told you we'd make you happy!

Jerk you around

Use fiery scotch bonnet chilies and jerk chicken will likely blow your mind. Source: Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen / Dan Jones

It's called 'jerk chicken', which always makes us smile. It seems like an unfair name for such a delightful dish. That said, the heat level is mean as a cut snake...

It's a jungle out there

This sand whiting jungle curry is powered by loads of chilli. Source: Sharyn Cairns

Thai jungle curry is for those who prefer to brave their chilli powers. Keep in mind that this is some serious heavy-lifting; the recipe uses 12 chillies... you may need to use slightly less.

Eat the rainbow

'Eating a rainbow' means you get a full burst of antioxidants and phytochemicals, which are sure to put an extra spring in your step.

Colour your health

We defy anyone not to feel supremely smug/happy after eating this salad. Source: Armelle Habib

For days when you're just not feeling it, this salad is a nutritional health bomb that will soon make you feel better. Positively packed with all the good stuff like apple, rocket, spinach, capsicum, tomato, avo, goji berries... there's a lot.

Good for your 'toush

Purslane, radish, tomatoes and mint all zing loads of freshness into your lunchtime. Source: China Squirrel

A big serve of fresh vegetables and herbs means this Lebanese salad full of goodness. The dressing alone is packed with garlic, lemons, sumac and olive oil - all big-hitters on the immunity-boosting chart. If you make your own Lebanese bread to go with your salad, you'll add points for self-satisfaction too.

Pineapple whine-apple

Landing your lips on a warm soft tortilla will bring a smile to your dial. Source: Bondi Harvest

Pack your salsa with colourful vegetables and then start a rousing debate over whether pineapple has any right to be in a pork taco. Plus, pineapples are a great source of tryptophan, which has been shown to improve mood. Good for the soul, all of it.

Food on sticks

Food on a stick is basically just happiness on a stick that you can easily eat. There's no way to explain it other than there's no cutlery required.

Happy dipping

When would a fried cheese stick not be something to rejoice about? Source: Murdoch Books

These blackened paneer skewers are just made for dipping, and luckily there's a tomato relish for that. You'll feel your mood lifting with every dunk.

Pop your mood

While you're at it, take your popsicle into the garden and breathe in some outdoor energy. Source: Cristina Sciarra

Tired looking early-autumn strawberries sing again in these delightful coconut, lime and strawberry popsicles. See, food on a stick is just irresistibly good.

Finger food

Eating with your hands is casual, messy, and maybe even primal. It just makes you feel good. Ditch the cutlery tonight and make one of these dishes to scoff for dinner.

Load that sourdough

Hobż biż-żejt takes mere minutes to pull together, which alone is enough to make anyone feel good. Source: Brett Stevens

Malta's answer to bruschetta is hobż biż-żejt - or shallow-fried sourdough topped with all your favourite things. Even the cracking crunch of the bread is enough to make you weep with delight.

Bara-ra-ra

This recipe makes a big batch, but you can freeze leftovers for your next finger food dinner. Source: Alan Benson

These lentil dumplings are popular at weddings, parties, anything in India. You can bring a little bit of the party home by making a huge batch for dinner. Dip them in a spicy chilli for an added kick.

Sherry on

Like little puffs of pleasure, these German tarts will make a delightful casual dinner. Source: SBS Food

There's a special not-so-secret happiness-helper in these mushroom sherry tarts. Let's just say that if you're cooking for kids, you'll need to leave out the sherry in this recipe... and if not then go for gold.