— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC
Warning: You’ll Want to Eat This Spinach Artichoke Pasta Straight From the Skillet
theSkimm
While there certainly isn’t anything wrong with eating spinach-artichoke dip for dinner (we would know), there might be something even better. That’s right, better. Introducing Salt & Lavender’s Spinach Artichoke Pasta — which essentially combines everything you love about the party dip (namely, the ultracreamy base, sneaky amounts of spinach, tangy canned artichokes, an aggressive helping of cheese) with perfectly al dente fettuccine. The result? A stroke of culinary genius that’s both ridiculously comforting and ridiculously easy.
The Time Commitment: In 30 minutes, you could be digging into rich, cheesy bliss.
Key Tips: According to Natasha Bull (aka Salt & Lavender), “This recipe will go much smoother if you ensure the cream cheese is nice and soft.” Either leave it on the counter for a couple hours before cooking or pop it in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds. And remember to save some of the starchy pasta water — it’s the key to bringing the sauce together.
Other Takes: We firmly believe there’s no problem that a bowl of pasta can’t fix. Exhibit A: This Creamy Mushroom Pappardelle is “a winter dream” that’s impressive enough for company, but simple enough for a weeknight. That’s also true of this salty, savory, five-star New York Times recipe, featuring fried sage, crispy bacon bits, and roasted cauliflower. In more of a red sauce mood? This Romesco Sauce with Rigatoni delivers vibrant, slightly smoky flavor — and is covered in toasty Parmesan-herb breadcrumbs. Plus, this take on classic Pasta alla Norma is so delicious (think: tender eggplant, plump cherry tomatoes, a generous serving of pecorino), it’ll convert eggplant skeptics.
If your husband gave you permission to explore a crush, would you? That’s the dream — or nightmare — at the heart of Ada Calhoun’s debut novel, Crush. Described as “a polyamory tale for Generation X,” Crush is written from the perspective of a Brooklyn writer who seems to have it all: an ideal marriage, a child, a solid career, and meaningful friendships. But things take a turn when, at her husband’s suggestion, she embarks on an emotional affair with David, a crush from college who’s now a dangerously charming professor. Inspired by her own experience, Calhoun masterfully captures the intoxicating, sometimes perilous thrill of desire — and the complexities that come with it. We asked Calhoun a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
Q: What’s the last thing you read that you can’t stop thinking about?
This Coastal South Carolina Town Is Basically a Nicholas Sparks Novel IRL
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Sure, Beaufort may be Charleston’s sleepy cousin — but that’s precisely what makes South Carolina’s second-oldest city so charming. The quaint, quiet “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands” feels straight out of The Notebook, thanks to narrow streets shaded by oak trees and Spanish moss, centuries-old homes and architecture, wide driftwood beaches, and a downtown area that’s somehow retained much of its original character. But, best of all, if you make the trip now, you’ll experience all of Beaufort’s magic — without the oppressive heat and humidity.
