Happy Saturday. And shana tova to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah this weekend. I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends… and watching everyone eat the apple-cranberry crisp I’m making based on the recipe my editor, Melissa, swears by. If the smell in my apartment is any indication, it’s going to be a hit. Here’s what else I’m up to…
Indulging my inner twee girl by finally getting in on the statement-making trend I’ve shamelessly loved ever since watching Gossip Girl.
Trying out this ridiculously simple (and grandma-approved) trick for keeping my fridge organized. It even sounds like it’ll make dinnertime way more relaxing, too.
This perfect cotton tee is immediately going in my cart. It’s incredibly flattering, reversible, and also a favorite of Zoë Kravitz’s. Sold.
Cooking up a batch of these protein-packed pancakes, which, believe it or not, contain zero protein powder. No, not cottage cheese either.
Using this pro-approved closet clean-out guide to tackle my stuffed-to-the-brim closet. (The tip about jeans is so accurate it feels like it was written just for me.)
— Julia Reinstein / Writer, Culture & Leisure / Brooklyn, NY
Stuck in Dinner Decision Purgatory? Try This Burst Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni
theSkimm
If the post-Labor Day return to reality has you ready to make PB&Js an entire food group, Ambitious Kitchen’s Burst Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni says, “not so fast.” In this low-lift, high-reward dinner, cherry tomatoes, garlic, onion, and a handful of pantry staples cook down into a creamy, spicy, crave-worthy sauce that’s combined with seasoned chicken, heaps of Parm, al dente rigatoni, and fresh basil. Plus, it’s easily tailored to your taste: Add chopped spinach. Stir in basil pesto. Swap in gluten-free pasta. Either way, you’ll have something so good one fan’s husband said: “I'm being serious when I say this is one of the best things I've eaten in a while."
The Time Commitment: About 40 minutes.
Key Tips: While the recipe calls for butterflied chicken, you can cube it or use thin-sliced chicken breasts instead, says Monique Volz (aka Ambitious Kitchen). She also suggests switching up the protein with crumbled Italian sausage, meatballs, canned tuna, chickpeas, or butter beans.
Other Takes: For more “I can’t even” dinners, try…
Egg Roll in a Bowl. Essentially a deconstructed version of the Chinese-American classic that’s faster than takeout and free of delivery fees.
Tangy Chicken, Tomato and Couscous Salad. Packed with savory chicken, fluffy couscous, dried prunes, and warming cumin, this half-hour weeknight savior might be the next best thing to a trip to Morocco.
Ginger-Basil Beef and Zucchini Skillet. Whether or not you personally identified with Ginger Spice (guilty), you’ll love this half-hour solution to tonight’s dinner — and tomorrow’s lunch — problem. Because we’d never go wasting your precious time.
