Eat, Read, Drive: Ziti Chickpeas with Sausage and Kale, “Workhorse,” and New Haven

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. As I sit here in my fashion sweatshirt for the third (OK, fourth) day in a row, I think it’s officially time to reenter society. That said, here are a few things at the top of my to-do list:

• Browse this section of the men’s department — a surprisingly reliable place to find “the key to easy, elegant outfits.” While I admire Hailey Bieber’s loyalty to this millennial staple, this is definitely more my speed.

• Maybe go to the gym, now that Jessica Biel has revealed the arm-and-back workout that apparently “everyone asked for.”

• Test this trick for elevating any Rice Krispies Treats recipe, using just one crucial ingredient. Honestly, that’s about all the effort I can devote to baking, in my post-Thanksgiving haze. 

• Track down this “mysterious or whatever” celebrity fragrance — which may be the most on-brand product description I’ve ever seen.  

• Try this Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star’s go-to dirty soda. Sure, it’s pretty tame compared to some others, but it speaks directly to my Diet Coke-loving heart. 

— Jamie Feldman / Writer, Culture & Lifestyle / Brooklyn, NY

This Cheesy, Baked Ziti-Inspired Recipe Will Take You Places

theSkimm

Look, we know nobody wants to hear this, but it’s time to eat a vegetable. Or, at the very least, something that’s not leftover turkey. Enter: Smitten Kitchen’s Ziti Chickpeas with Sausage and Kale, which checks both boxes and comes together in one pan (bless). An updated and somehow even better take on Smitten Kitchen’s viral Pizza Beans, it combines tender chickpeas, flavor-packed Italian sausage, and hearty kale in a spicy, garlicky tomato sauce — all topped with a blanket of bubbly, bronzed mozzarella and pecorino cheeses. Enjoy it with toasted garlic bread or a fresh baguette, but preferably on the couch, in pajamas, straight out of the pan.

The Time Commitment: 45 minutes.

Key Tips: No bread? Our hearts go out to you. In that case, Deb Perelman (aka Smitten Kitchen) says to serve it over pasta or polenta. Also, if your mozzarella comes in water or brine, drain it on paper towels first, so the dish doesn’t come out watery.

Other Takes: For more recipes that require zero brainpower, try…

• Saucy Gochujang Noodles with Chicken. A grown-up, sweet-and-spicy version of the ramen noodles that got you through high school — and nearly as easy to make. 

• Greek-Inspired Roasted Tomato Soup with Feta. Simple and satisfying, this soup gets its silkiness from feta instead of cream, which is (a) genius and (b) delicious. 

• Spiced Cauliflower with Chickpeas & Couscous. This 30-minute meal is part of a series of dinners “you can make no matter how hungry or tired you are” — which, hello, is us.

Workhorse by Caroline Palmer

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Counting down the days until The Devil Wears Prada 2 hits theaters? While we can’t make it come faster, Caroline Palmer’s Workhorse may be the next best thing. Drawing partially from Palmer’s time at Vogue, the debut novel follows Clo, a “workhorse” who fought her way into the industry — only to be surrounded by “show horses,” or nepo babies with an Ivy League education, a trust fund, and “an emotional understanding of Maine.” Chief among them is her cubicle mate Davis, whose mother is a fading actress. As Clo gets swept up in the toxic and intoxicating whirlwind of Davis’s well-connected family, she sees her opening — and will stop at nothing to claw her way to the top, in a story where no one is likeable and the vibes are more The Talented Mr. Ripley than The Devil Wears Prada. We asked Palmer a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s one thing everyone needs to watch?

Palmer: This answer changes often, but I am in a rewatching-Almost-Famous period. Also, you should watch the sun rise over the ocean at least once a year.

Q: What’s one thing you’re an armchair expert on?

Palmer: Champagne and the lyrics to all ’90s rap music.

Q: What’s the last social media post you sent to your friends?

Palmer: There is a woman named Betsy Kenney who does an ASMR version of a Northeast Philadelphia accent, and it feels like going home again.

This Gilmore Girls-Worthy Getaway Deserves a Spot on Your East Coast Bucket List

If you’ve been treating Connecticut like a pit stop on your New England road trip, consider this your sign to pull over and actually stay awhile — specifically, in New Haven. Just two hours from New York City, this small-but-mighty city delivers a vibrant art scene, collegiate charm, rich history, and, most importantly, perfectly charred pizza. And with Ford’s BlueCruise^† hands-free highway driver feature assisting with the steering, braking, and centering on pre-mapped highways called Hands-Free Blue Zones, the ride there is just as easy (and enjoyable) as your weekend itinerary.

🎓 Channel your inner Rory Gilmore with a stroll through Yale University’s campus, where every corner feels like a movie set thanks to its Gothic grandeur. Start at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library — home to literary treasures like the mysterious Voynich Manuscript — then head to the Cushing Center to nerd out over its one-of-a-kind medical archives (yes, including human brain specimens). Next, tour the Yale University Art Gallery — it’s free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday — and swing by Atticus Bookstore Cafe afterwards for a sweet pick-me-up. 

🍕 Forget NYC — some argue the best pizza in the country is in New Haven. Whether you’re team Sally’s Apizza (don’t sleep on the potato and rosemary pie), Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, or Modern Apizza, you can’t go wrong — just be sure to arrive early, because lines are basically guaranteed. But if you’re craving a juicy burger instead, stop by Louis’ Lunch, the family-run institution that claims to have invented it. After all, they’ve been perfecting the art since 1895.

🚙 Sure, Connecticut’s small, but that just means you can cover more ground in a shorter amount of time. So hop in the vehicle and head to Washington, the picturesque town that allegedly inspired Gilmore Girls. Wander through its storybook downtown, grab a coffee at Marty’s Café, and then head to Steep Rock Preserve to walk through the 1871 railroad tunnel, or cross the hanging bridge at Hidden Valley Preserve. Thanks to Ford’s BlueCruise^† hands-free highway driving, you can enjoy the scenic ride with less stress — while debating which boyfriend Rory should’ve ended up with.

Make New Haven your next escape — and with Ford’s BlueCruise^† hands-free highway driving, the ride feels like it’s part of the getaway. Let’s go.*

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Q: My parents are coming to town for the holidays, and my partner wants them to stay at a hotel instead of using our guest room. I want to respect my partner’s boundaries, but I’m worried it’ll hurt my parents’ feelings. What should I do?

“Your shared home is as much an emotional space as a physical one, so honoring your partner’s comfort is part of protecting the relationship you live in every day. Boundaries aren’t barriers — they’re what make connections feel safe. [That said], you can also care for your parents’ hearts. [Consider] a gentle message that communicates love without apology, like: ‘We’re so excited you’re coming. We’ve booked a hotel nearby, so everyone gets rest and we can soak up our time together.’ Keep in mind: Hosting isn’t the only way to be hospitable. Your presence matters more than pillows. Plan meals, morning coffee, game nights, and other things that say, ‘you belong here.’ Hurt feelings might flicker, but most relationships can handle a little disappointment when the tone is kind.”

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.