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What with all the fireworks and festivals, July Fourth is a holiday that especially lends itself to spending time outdoors. Maybe it's a Manifest Destiny thing. Or maybe it's just because it's nice and warm out. Either way, it's an excellent excuse to pull that picnic blanket out from wherever you put it on Memorial Day and enjoy lunch in the open air.

• Sweet Potato Fries
• Turkey and Coleslaw Sandwich
• Mango -Radicchio Caprese
• Ed Levine's Favorite Brownies
• Real Lemonade

(And if these aren't enough suggestions for you, Mark Bittman has 101 more.)