Eat, Read, Go: Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan Orzo, “Thirst Trap,” and Oahu

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. I’m well aware it’s been a week since Kris Jenner’s James Bond-themed 70th birthday party, but somehow I’m still utterly obsessed with the details — from the “most popular” party guest (can’t say I’m surprised) to why photos of certain members of California royalty seemingly vanished from social media. But that’s not the only thing that had a choke hold on me this week…

• Petite girls, our time has come: The denim styling trick that’s saved me hundreds (OK, thousands) in alterations is one of fall’s defining jean trends.

• If you, like me, can’t seem to master the effortlessly cool, sweater-over-a-dress look, these are the layering tips fashion insiders depend on. (I will absolutely try the last idea this weekend.)

• Calling all fellow Longchamp loyalists: The quintessentially French brand teamed up with a beloved British label, and every item in the collab is even chicer than you’d expect.  

• Forget brown and black — this unexpected, Sabrina Carpenter-approved color combo will soon be everywhere (millennials, you will be reminded of a very specific Limited Too purse).

• The easiest way to elevate any outfit? Nope, not a pop of red. But this understated jewelry trend, which, best of all, doesn’t require buying anything new. 

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

This Simple, Satisfying Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan Orzo Recipe Will Give You Life

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As a general rule, tender and juicy meatballs + saucy pasta = an objectively perfect meal. Sure, spaghetti and meatballs prove it, but The Original Dish’s Baked Sage Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan Orzo raise the bar — with more flavor and less fuss. In the weeknight-friendly recipe, herby, garlicky, and cheesy meatballs bake in the oven, while orzo simmers in chicken stock, white wine, heavy cream, spinach and, yes, more cheese, until it transforms into something risotto-adjacent, minus the arm workout. Top it with fried sage leaves — and you’ll have a low-effort, high-reward meal that you’ll want to have on repeat from now until forever.

The Time Commitment: About an hour.

Key Tips: Kayla Howey (aka The Original Dish) recommends using ground chicken thigh, which is “much more flavorful and results in a juicier finished product.” If you can’t find it with the other prepackaged meat, ask the butcher, who may have it behind the counter or be able to grind it. You can also use turkey, beef, or pork instead.

Other Takes: As for what to do with the rest of that block of Parm, try… 

• Sheet Pan Eggplant Parmesan, which has everything you love about the Italian classic (namely, so much gooey cheese), with a fraction of the labor. 

• Creamy, Spicy Tomato Beans and Greens. With over 10,000 five-star reviews (one fan “got a standing ovation at the table”), this may be the internet’s favorite way to turn canned beans into a weeknight meal. 

• Caramelized Shallot & Roasted Garlic Ditalini — essentially, an adult version of macaroni and cheese that’ll leave you wondering why you’re not using ditalini in everything.

Thirst Trap by Gráinne O’Hare

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If you thought Hannah, Marnie, Jessa, and Shosh’s 20s were messy, wait until you meet Harley, Róise, and Maggie — the best friends at the center of Gráinne O’Hare’s Thirst Trap. Set in Belfast, the debut novel follows the trio as they grieve both the end of their 20s and the loss of their fourth flatmate with predictably terrible coping mechanisms: sexual escapades that make for great brunch fodder but awful self-esteem, emotionally unavailable crushes, existential spirals over unfulfilling entry-level jobs, and endless hours at the pub. All of which might explain why it reads, according to one reviewer, like “a night in the club bathroom with my best friends.” Now, with a new decade on the horizon, the crew must reckon with that age-old question: What do you take with you and what do you leave behind? It’s a funny, painfully relatable story about the friendships that survive (or don’t) when life stops feeling like an extended gap year. We asked O’Hare a few questions. Here’s what she had to say… 

Q: What should be required reading for every human being?

O’Hare: The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber — a sprawling Victorian saga that’s funny and heartbreaking and so vividly detailed. It’s a real doorstop of a book, but it’s an absolute banger.

Q: What’s your favorite unapologetic indulgence?

O’Hare: Burlesque, starring Cher and Christina Aguilera. It’s unironically one of my favorite films of all time.

Q: What’s one thing that makes you laugh without fail?

O’Hare: I was [once] at the Tate Modern in London, and turned around to [find] my partner pretending to look at a fire exit like he was a critic appraising a serious piece of art. Every time I think about that, I burst out cackling.

Oahu’s North Shore Is the Magical Oasis You Didn’t Know Existed

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With its vibrant city life, renowned historical sites, and stunning shorelines, it should come as no surprise that Oahu is Hawaii’s most popular island. And while most visitors stay in Honolulu, locals swear the fabled North Shore, located just an hour away, is the true gem. Dubbed the “surfing capital of the world,” this blissfully less-crowded oasis boasts laid-back surf towns, charming coastal cottages, miles of gorgeous beaches, plenty of outdoor activities, and an impressive food scene. But, honestly, the spectacularly scenic drives (pro tip: always take the HI-83 route) are worth the trip alone.

🌺 Sure, the North Shore is known for its surfing, but equally notable are its history and culture. Spend an afternoon wandering around Haleiwa’s colorful wooden buildings, which are a nod to the community’s humble beginnings as a sugar plantation, but now house lively boutiques (don’t miss Maui Divers Jewelry), cafes, and art galleries. Also, make sure to visit the 1,875-acre Waimea Valley, which includes over 5,000 species of plants, sacred archaeological sites (like shrines and burial caves), and a short paved path that leads to the wondrous Wailele Falls.

🌊 Now, for the reason you’re really here: the beaches. You can’t go wrong with a combo of Shark’s Cove (popular for its crystal-clear water and snorkeling), Laniakea Beach (for spotting Hawaiian green sea turtles sunbathing on the sand), and Mokuleia Beach, which famously served as the backdrop for the first season of Lost. But no trip to Oahu is complete without watching some of the world’s best surfers take on the legendary Banzai Pipeline at Ehukai Beach. And if you want to learn to hang 10, head to North Shore Surf Girls.

🍴 Acai bowls may have started in Brazil, but they’re a local favorite in Hawaii — so begin your day at Haleiwa Bowls. For lunch, make your way to Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill to feast on the grilled local catch with a side of fantastic ocean views. Feeling fancy? Make a dinner reservation at Alaia — located in the luxury Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay resort — to try elevated Hawaiian comfort food, like furikake-crusted ahi and lobster curry. Or, head to Beach House, where James Beard Award-winning chef Roy Yamaguchi serves up miso black cod, beef short ribs, and more California-French-Japanese dishes.

You’ve figured out your next vacation destination. Great choice. Skip the scramble for a place to stay and use Booking.com. It serves up thousands of vetted hotels, villas, apartments, and other accommodations that you can filter according to your nice-to-haves and nonnegotiables. Plus, their price match guarantee helps you lock in the best rate. Enjoy that (necessary) hot tub.

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

Q: My mother-in-law constantly makes comments about the decor, cleanliness, and lighting of my home. She also moves things around without asking. I know she means well, but how do I politely explain that this is our house, not hers?

“If you know she means well, [try to] keep that [in mind]. Your mother-in-law may have spent decades [acting] as your spouse’s unofficial interior designer slash cleaning crew. You’re not wrong to want boundaries, but just don’t fire her without notice. This is a soft off-ramp, not a corporate takeover. Say something like: ‘I know you have great taste, but when you move things or comment on how we’ve set things up, it makes me feel like the space isn’t ours. What do you think about leaving it as is?’ And then, zip it. Let it land. If she’s got any self-awareness, she’ll get the message. If not, you’re laying the groundwork for next time — and the time after that probably. One rule? Don’t bring this to your partner. It will put them in the middle, and you’ll both end up annoyed. A throw pillow is not the hill to die on. Save the ‘your mom is driving me mad’ card for when she does something really unhinged.”

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.