The Bite (Issue 17): Food and a little romance

What is romance anyways? none This week, my inbox was flooded with Valentine’s Day-themed pitches from brands and public relations reps, each promising that their [chocolate](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0RLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDIvMTcvcmVjaXBlLXF1aWNrLWFuZC1kaXJ0eS1jaG9jb2xhdGUtc2FuZHdpY2gvVwNzcGNCCmHg5__rYZi4rZJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) subscription box or tea infuser (“hot and steamy,” the copy teased) or case of flavored sparkling water is the key to a romantic holiday. As I dutifully read through, sorted and eventually deleted some of these messages, one question kept coming to mind: “What is romance, actually?” I know that could read as cynical, but I mean it genuinely. Just as genuinely as I believe that, after further consideration, “romance” — or living a romantic life — is within grasp on a daily basis. There are a few moments from pop culture that encapsulate this beautifully. I think of the first season episode of [“Shrill”](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0Q7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDUvMDgvc2hyaWxsLXNlYXNvbi0zLWZhdHBob2JpYS9XA3NwY0IKYeDn_-thmLitklIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl) in which we see Annie (played by Aidy Bryant) become briefly enamored by a woman (Hunter McGrady) whom she sees walking confidently down the street. The Woman, who is plus-sized like Annie, is wearing a stunning red jumpsuit with a matching red cardigan and lipstick. Annie follows her into a local flower shop where The Woman buys herself flowers just because. From the same show, I think of Annie’s roommate and best friend, Fran (Lolly Adefope), planning herself a party, similarly, just because she’s single and feels like celebrating herself. But most of my examples are honestly from the world of food-themed movies and television: Meryl Streep’s Julia Child rolling her eyes back in ecstasy when tasting Parisian butter; Julia Roberts gleefully eating [Neapolitan pizza](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0R9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjAvMDQvMTgvdGhlLXNlY3JldC10by1iYWtpbmctYS1yZXN0YXVyYW50LXF1YWxpdHktcGl6emEtYXQtaG9tZS1ldmVyeS1zaW5nbGUtdGltZS1saWVzLWluLXRoZS1jcnVzdC9XA3NwY0IKYeDn_-thmLitklIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl) in “Eat, Pray, Love”; the entire premise of the Japanese series “Kantaro the Sweet Tooth Salaryman,” in which the titular character efficiently speeds through client meetings so he can secretly stop at dessert cafés to try traditional sweets like [shiratama ogura anmitsu](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0QoaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuanVzdG9uZWNvb2tib29rLmNvbS9hbm1pdHN1L1cDc3BjQgph4Of_62GYuK2SUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~). Each of these characters engage with their surroundings with a sense of promise and wonderment, the kind that’s easy to do when reactions are scripted and the environments are novel. I recognize that as the pandemic slogs on, novelty may feel like it’s in short supply, however food is a really beautiful gateway to some of those moments that feel quietly romantic. Let yourself spend a few extra minutes plating and garnishing your meal to make it beautiful just for you. And maybe Instagram, too, no judgment. Plan a date with yourself or someone else to wander to the local bakery with the good bread and eat it throughout the week with the[good butter](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDcvMjgvNS10aXBzLWZvci1idXlpbmctYmV0dGVyLWJ1dHRlci1hdC10aGUtZ3JvY2VyeS1zdG9yZS1hY2NvcmRpbmctdG8tYW4tZXhwZXJ0L1cDc3BjQgph4Of_62GYuK2SUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~). Next time you can, put on your best lipstick or tie or whatever and have a classic cocktail at a hotel bar. Then, as you feel the warmth of it coursing through your body and your eyes settle on the other patrons there — leisurely travelers, harried businessmen, couples eager to head back to their room — have another for me. In this week’s issue of The Bite, Salon Food’s weekly newsletter, we’ll be revisiting stories and recipes from our archives that exist at the intersection of food and romance. Speaking of, with Valentine’s Day coming up, do you have any questions or concerns about preparing a wow-worthy meal for your significant other? Let us know at food@salon.com! I’ll be standing by. — Ashlie Stevens, deputy food editor. [The pleasure-seeking, main character energy of Netflix's "Samurai Gourmet"Â](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0R_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDYvMjYvbmV0ZmxpeHMtc2FtdXJhaS1nb3VybWV0LWhhcy10aGUtcGxlYXN1cmUtc2Vla2luZy1tYWluLWNoYXJhY3Rlci1lbmVyZ3ktaS13YW50LWZvci10aGUtc3VtbWVyL1cDc3BjQgph4Of_62GYuK2SUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~) Netflix’s “Samurai Gourmet” caught my attention last summer and quickly became one of my go-to comfort shows. The series, which was originally released in 2017, came up in my queue as "recommended," likely due to my fondness for Japanese scripted food TV programs. There's not quite an American analog for these shows, which feature a fictional character for whom eating a particular meal is a narrative climax (though there is typically some very flimsy resistance standing in the way). It centers on the 60-year-old Takeshi Kasumi (Naoto Takenaka) who, after spending his life as a dutiful salaryman, is embarking on a new life as a retiree. However, he isn't sure how to process this reality; much like us eying lifting pandemic restrictions and our imminent emergence, Takeshi isn't sure who he wants to be in this new chapter of his life. Will he be the kind of man who dons both a straw pork pie hat and sunglasses (a combination his wife, lovingly, says makes him look like a "friendly mobster'')? Will he travel by himself, something that he hasn't done in decades? First and foremost, Takeshi realizes that he wants to be the kind of man who can have a midday beer at a restaurant, which is, fittingly, the title of the first episode. The series is a really sweet exploration of seeking freedom and pleasure, while Takeshi also spends some energy rekindling the more ardent romance that has fallen a little dormant in his marriage over sushi and sake. none [A salmon and pesto pasta to fall in love to](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0RNaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDgvMTkvYS1zYWxtb24tYW5kLXBlc3RvLXBhc3RhLXRvLWZhbGwtaW4tbG92ZS10by9XA3NwY0IKYeDn_-thmLitklIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl) Salon’s Mary Elizabeth Williams has a story so romantic that it was featured in Amazon Prime’s “Modern Love,” which is based on Williams’ original New York Times essay. Here’s how it begins: “The young woman has just recently started dating the young man when he makes her an outrageous offer — he wants her to come over and he'll cook her dinner,” Williams wrote. “Because it is the nineties, she is subsisting mostly on cigarettes and whatever she can grift at parties. Cooking, to her, is not something that young, single people do, but sure, whatever. He makes her Cornish hens with little boiled, buttered red potatoes, nothing fancy. She is thinking, this guy's a magician.” The meal she makes, born of bodega odds and ends, has remained a staple in their relationship. none *** Not a subscriber yet? Sign up to get [The Bite](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP4QIAWh0dHA6Ly9wb3N0LnNwbWFpbHRlY2hub2wuY29tL2YvYS9JdE1PTGs3X0h1WW8tMUw3OWxLRTlnfn4vQUFTVTR3QX4vUmdSanU2aGpQMFJRYUhSMGNITTZMeTl0WVdsc0xtZHZiMmRzWlM1amIyMHZiV0ZwYkM5MUx6QXZJM05sWVhKamFDOTJkV3huWVhJdlJrMW1ZMmQ2UjIxMFJraElUbmRDVjJoSFdGUlVSRTVrZDFSR1IxUnhZbWhYQTNOd1kwSUtZZFpqSTlsaE9iLVZSRklmWVhOb2JHbGxaR0Z1YVdWc2JHVnpkR1YyWlc1elFHZHRZV2xzTG1OdmJWZ0VBQUFBSlF-flcDc3BjQgph4Of_62GYuK2SUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~) delivered to your inbox every week! *** From the kitchen’s of our home cooks - Quick and Dirty: [The crunchiest, cheesiest macaroni and cheese bakes on a sheet pan](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0RjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDEvMjAvdGhlLWNydW5jaGllc3QtY2hlZXNpZXN0LW1hY2Fyb25pLWFuZC1jaGVlc2UtYmFrZXMtb24tYS1zaGVldC1wYW4vVwNzcGNCCmHg5__rYZi4rZJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) - One Way: [Leanne Brown's "self-love potion" will get you through a rough day](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDEvMTYvbGVhbm5lLWJyb3ducy1zZWxmLWxvdmUtcG90aW9uLXdpbGwtZ2V0LXlvdS10aHJvdWdoLWEtcm91Z2gtZGF5L1cDc3BjQgph4Of_62GYuK2SUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~) - [This new cheesy pasta bake with crispy breadcrumbs is the one-pot equivalent of eggplant parmesan](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0SDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDEvMTYvdGhpcy1uZXctY2hlZXN5LXBhc3RhLWJha2Utd2l0aC1jcmlzcHktYnJlYWRjcnVtYnMtaXMtdGhlLW9uZS1wb3QtZXF1aXZhbGVudC1vZi1lZ2dwbGFudC1wYXJtZXNhbi9XA3NwY0IKYeDn_-thmLitklIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl) - [How I turned broccoli-rice casserole into new creamy, cheesy "arancini"](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDEvMTgvaG93LWktdHVybmVkLWJyb2Njb2xpLXJpY2UtY2Fzc2Vyb2xlLWludG8tbmV3LWNyZWFteS1jaGVlc3ktYXJhbmNpbmkvVwNzcGNCCmHg5__rYZi4rZJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) What we’re reading - “[Twitter’s Random Restaurant Bot Reminds Me the World Exists](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0RTaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWF0ZXIuY29tLzIwMjIvMS8yMS8yMjg5Mzc3OC9yYW5kb20tcmVzdGF1cmFudC10d2l0dGVyLWJvdC1hcHByZWNpYXRpb25XA3NwY0IKYeDn_-thmLitklIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl),” Eater - “[Sticklers, Improvisors, and “Following” Recipes](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0RFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3RhaW5lZHBhZ2VuZXdzLmNvbS9wL3N0aWNrbGVycy1pbXByb3Zpc29ycy1hbmQtZm9sbG93aW5nVwNzcGNCCmHg5__rYZi4rZJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~),” Stained Page News And finally, something rancid The M&M’s gang are undergoing a rebrand, which means that, most notably, the Green M&M is trading in her signature go-go boots for more sensible sneakers. There’s been backlash, backlash to the backlash and a [really, uh… memorable “Rolling Stone” headline](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucm9sbGluZ3N0b25lLmNvbS9jdWx0dXJlL2N1bHR1cmUtbmV3cy9ncmVlbi1tbS1tYXJzLXdyaWdsZXktcmVicmFuZC1zbmVha2Vycy1zbHV0LTEyODc5NjUvVwNzcGNCCmHg5__rYZi4rZJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) about the whole fiasco. Our mailing address: 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200 Wilmington, 19801 DE [Unsubscribe from this list](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0Q8aHR0cHM6Ly9yZWFkLmxldHRlcmhlYWQuZW1haWwvdGhlLWJpdGUvdW5zdWJzY3JpYmU_aWQ9QDM0NTA5VwNzcGNCCmHg5__rYZi4rZJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) Copyright © 2022 The Bite, All rights reserved. [Made with Letterhead [Letterhead logo]](~/AASU4wA~/RgRjzoTlP0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbmVwbm83czh5c1cDc3BjQgph4Of_62GYuK2SUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~)