First Outdoor Table
The meal that officially opened outdoor season
You know those random days in March when the temperature inexplicably rockets into the 70s? The kind that feels almost too good to be true after months of grey skies and heavy coats? Well, one of those golden days had the good sense to land on a Saturday and we were not about to let it go to waste.
Mom and I made our case over brunch, though honestly, our husbands never need much convincing when it comes to us hosting. While they headed home to dust off the patio furniture, Mom and I set off on a little errand run with a loose plan and a lot of optimism for our first outdoor table!
With only an afternoon to pull things together, we did what any reasonable person would do, we made it a dinner party. A spontaneous text to my in-laws was all it took, and just like that, our quiet Saturday al fresco turned into something worth gathering for. I truly could not have handpicked better in-laws if I tried. They are the rare, wonderful kind of people who show up with good energy and zero fuss, exactly who you want around a candlelit table on an unexpectedly beautiful March evening.
Recipes
As for the menu, we kept it simple and seasonal. Mom took the lead, and true to form, her idea of an easy Saturday night is somehow still completely impressive. We started with one of my favorite soups of the season, moved into a stunning surf and turf of filet and salmon alongside roasted potatoes and broccolini, and finished the evening with a warm apple cranberry crumble. All the recipes from this evening are below and they are all as easy as they sound, and every single one has a spot on our regular rotation.
