— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC
Few Things Are Cozier (or Easier) Than This One-Pan Garlicky Chicken Couscous
theSkimm
What’s that saying, don’t mess with the classics? We usually agree — but on occasion, we’re willing to make an exception. This time, it’s for the One-Pan Garlicky Chicken Couscous from Carolina Gelen’s cookbook, Pass the Plate. A twist on traditional chicken and rice, this very unfussy, very cozy crowd-pleaser combines perfectly crispy chicken thighs, pearled couscous toasted in schmaltzy deliciousness, jammy shallots, plenty of garlic, and chicken bouillon for that “ultimate chicken-soup flavor.” Finish off the dish with a bright, tangy dill sauce and don’t be surprised if this becomes your new go-to comfort meal.
The Time Commitment: Just over an hour — but the chicken and couscous bakes for nearly half of that time.
Key Tips: If you’re looking for vegetarian or pescetarian options, Gelen suggests swapping the chicken for salmon, tofu, or even mushrooms. Also, if you don’t have pearled couscous, you can use orzo, basmati rice, or pastina instead.
Other Takes: For more chicken dinners as homey as a pair of worn-in flannel pajamas, this Lemon Chicken with Potatoes and Chickpeas comes together in one pan (and all at once), making it ideal for a random Thursday when you don’t feel like cooking. That’s also true of this creamy, restaurant-worthy Chicken and Butternut Squash Orzo, which “delivers in every single way possible.” Meanwhile, this recipe for spicy, saucy Kung Pao Chicken with Noodles is the next best thing to going out for Chinese, and this Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma is a low-lift riff on the beloved street food — which must be served with the best pita you can find.
Of all things that needed a rebrand in 2024, bachelor pads — sorry, “boy apartments” — were not on our bingo card.
Look, we could get past the muffins. But nothing screams “Grinch behavior” quite like Costco possibly messing with its peppermint bark during the holidays.
Private Rites by Julia Armfield
theSkimm
If you’re a sucker for a good Shakespeare reimagining (hello, 10 Things I Hate About You fans), you’ll want to add Julia Armfield’s Private Rites to the top of your reading list. A queer, dystopian take on King Lear, the gripping novel centers around three estranged sisters — therapist and soon-to-be-divorcée Isla, office administrator and middle child Irene, and barista-with-an-attitude Agnes — brought together by the death of their father, a famous (and famously mean) architect. As the sisters return to the massive glass house where they grew up to sort through his belongings, they uncover the secrets he left behind — including an earth-shattering revelation in his will, which threatens to tear them apart even further. We asked Armfield a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
Light Displays You Shouldn’t Skip this Holiday Season
theSkimm
Take in the magic of the season from the comfort of your own car. Imagine driving through a holiday wonderland in a bold and sleek ride from the Toyota Crown Family. Complete with heated seats and an available fixed panoramic roof for an elevated viewing experience, it’s the perfect way to stay present in the moment. Let’s ride.
