The Bite (Issue 81): Let's go outside?

It's patio, park and BBQ season [View in browser](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvcm90MGk0Y2ZmYy8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2VwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) For the last month or so, I’ve been attentively checking my local neighborhood “Free/Barter/Swap” [Facebook group](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvaWxrejJnMXJmcC8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) for items like cheap picnic baskets, a new cooler and something to schlep cocktails to the beach or park because, after a very long and gray winter, I’m determined to [eat outside](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMva2EzNXNyNGY3bC8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) as often as I possibly can. It’s a distinct departure from how I’ve operated in years past, but this is the summer for it. I can feel it — and have the perfect sunshine-inspired dessert planned for it, too (check out the upside-down citrus cake I’m perfecting right now below). Obviously I’m not the only one, though — because however obsessively I think I’m monitoring these groups, on the off-chance something related to al fresco dining gets posted, by the time I see it, dozens of commenters have already indicated their interest, creating an impenetrable chain of “Next!” and “Next in line!” responses. I’m probably just going to have to bite the bullet and buy a[picnic basket](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvaXZ2eDV5OHZ4My8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) (currently I’m eying[this one](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvYWwxeHo2amlwdy8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2VwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~)because it looks like I could toss it on my bike) to pair with my partner’s Igloo Cooler from the 90s, complete with a jazzy rainbow-patterned strap. But, I really do think that it’s going to be worth it because, as I was discussing with a fellow writer earlier today, sometimes the best thing about a meal is the experience surrounding it. She mentioned that she had recently visited Washington, D.C. It was spring, so the cherry blossoms were in full bloom along the National Mall and while she had initially planned on having a working lunch at a nearby[hotel restaurant](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMveXo2cXhldTlqci8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~), she changed her mind when she saw the flowers. Instead, she had stopped at a bakery — the name of which she didn’t catch — for a [small baguette](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZ3AzdXV2dmZ6Ni8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~), a reusable tote and a little tub of [sea salt butter](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdmFpeW9ibnhvei8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~). She then went to a nearby wine store, where she grabbed a [can of rosé](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZGppNmtxbGM3Zy8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) and a pack of “[fancy ham](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvOGY1N3h3ZzF2OS8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~)” from the cooler. Finally, she found a bench in view of the trees, popped the[new Boy Genius album](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvM3I4cTJ3ZTRsci8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2VwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) on Spotify and had a jambon-beurre sandwich. “I’m probably going to end up remembering that sandwich as the best sandwich of my life,” she texted me earlier. “Just because the experience around it was so magical, but in an ‘everyday’ and attainable way. It made me kick myself for not doing it more often.” There’s long been this myth that eating outdoors actually makes food taste better, though science doesn’t really back that up. However, [according to data](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvcDVoaTZlNGJzYy8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2VwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends about 90% of their lives indoors. Perhaps we’re just tasting a bit of novelty? Regardless, I plan to savor it. In this issue of “The Bite,” Salon Food’s weekly newsletter, I want to share some of my favorite recipes from the archive that would be ideal for serving outside, as well as a few stories about al fresco dining. Have any picnic basket recommendations for me? Send me a note at [astevens@salon.com](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvam91MDUxbGM3bS8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) — Ashlie Stevens, deputy food editor Dispatches from Salon Food's archives - [A very Scandinavian al fresco holiday happy hour](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvcmc0bDk3OWhlci8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) - [A spicy taste of Mexican street corn, ready in 15 minutes](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvcDN1bHNvbGp0My8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) - [A very versatile pickled pepper dressingÂ](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMjJhbmM0aDYzZS8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) - [Meet me inside — I hate eating al fresco](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvd29tMmtkcmt2dy8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) - [Everything I learned about building a better sandwich, I learned at my local bánh mì counter](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvemMxMXo5NzU3MS8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) - [This gnocchi pasta salad with lemony vinaigrette is packed with bright, seasonal flavors](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdHg2bmFwajMzbS8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) - [Most picnics are awful. Yours doesn't have to be, thanks to these helpful tips](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMva2xqZDl3aHl2ZS8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) If you found yourself here without subscribing, make sure to sign up for [The Bite](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvaHR2bHMxYzN4ai8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2VwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) so you don't miss anything! 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"Good Catch" author Valentine Thomas has the answer](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdm96ZXc1cGd2eS8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2JmxoX2VtPXRyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1JTQwZ21haWwuY29tVwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) (Michael La Corte) What we're reading - [The ‘Great American Baking Show’ Is Actually Good This Time](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZnVueXNuc215dS8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2VwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) (Eater) - [Amy Sedaris Has Strong Words for the Mayo Haters of the World](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbXR6ZmVzNWttMC8_bGhfYWlkPTM0NTA5JmxoX2NpZD1rOGdsdWZ5Z3V2VwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~)(Eater) [Unsubscribe from this list](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmOMZOP0Q8aHR0cHM6Ly9yZWFkLmxldHRlcmhlYWQuZW1haWwvdGhlLWJpdGUvdW5zdWJzY3JpYmU_aWQ9QDM0NTA5VwNzcGNCCmRRUkFWZEIcVIFSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) Copyright © 2023 The Bite, All rights reserved. 1000 N. 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