Eat, Read, Go: Baked Gnocchi Alla Vodka, "The Three Lives of Cate Kay," and Islamorada

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. There’s nothing more jarring than seeing Valentine’s Day candy already lining the drugstore shelves (mentally, I’m still at Thanksgiving). That said, a few other things threw me for a loop this week: the fact that everyone from Dua Lipa to Gigi Hadid is once again wearing this cherished Y2K-era slipper, the rise of Jackie O-coded pillbox hats (I’m definitely seeing an uptick in NYC), and soft serve-inspired “ice cream” nails (they’re surprisingly chic). However, none of that compares to these voluminous pearl-studded Moon Boots, which yes, were actually influenced by astronaut footwear. Blast off? 

— Taylor Trudon / Writer, Culture & Lifestyle / Brooklyn, NY

There’s Pasta — and Then There’s This Baked Gnocchi Alla Vodka

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Look, we can’t confirm that heaven exists, but if it does, we know one thing — it’s filled with How Sweet Eats’ Baked Vodka Sauce Gnocchi With Burrata. Not only is there no boiling necessary, but the deeply comforting dish comes together in exactly one pan: You make the suspiciously easy vodka sauce, stir in perfectly plump pillows of gnocchi (store-bought, no less), add some blobs of burrata and extra Parmesan, and bake all of that until it’s bronzed and bubbly. Top with fresh basil — and don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself in a carb-induced coma.  

The Time Commitment: About 45 minutes. But to cut back on time — and ingredients — use your favorite store-bought vodka sauce. We promise, it’ll be OK.

Key Tips: To take this dish up a notch, Jessica Merchant (aka How Sweet Eats) recommends mixing regular and mini gnocchi. Also, while Merchant typically uses shelf-stable gnocchi, fresh or frozen gnocchi will also do. In fact, you can even make it with tortellini.

Other Takes: If you’re also ready to make gnocchi bakes your entire personality (it happens), you’ve come to the right place. This ooey, gooey Four-Cheese Gnocchi Bake combines Asiago, Parmesan, mozzarella, and provolone (because one cheese is simply not enough), while this Baked Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina is essentially the love child of gnocchi and Margherita pizza — meaning, it’s wildly delicious. Looking for something with a little more protein? You can’t go wrong with this Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake (accurately described as “magical to say the least”) or this creamy, cozy Baked Gnocchi, featuring savory sausage, tender kale, and a Parmesan-packed sauce.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

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Combine The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with First Lie Wins — and you get Kate Fagan’s The Three Lives of Cate Kay. The novel is framed as a fictional memoir from pseudonymous queer writer Cate Kay, who realizes she can no longer hide behind her pen name when her best-selling book trilogy becomes a blockbuster movie franchise. So Cate shares her own story — of a tragic accident and the lengths a person will go to reinvent herself and escape her past. Filled with shocking twists, Fagan’s debut novel seems ripe for a film or TV adaptation, particularly since it’s already been selected for Reese’s Book Club. We asked Fagan a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

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

Fagan: Portrait of a Lady On Fire. I literally designed and sewed a pair of Nikes to honor this movie. It’s French, lesbian, and set in the late 1700s.

Q: What’s one unpopular opinion you have?

Fagan: The best time to visit Iceland is in the winter, when there’s almost no daylight and it’s zero degrees there.

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

Fagan: Probably something [about] older women living on a commune; there’s a group of us committed to buying a piece of land and aging together.

Welcome to Islamorada, the Florida Key Locals Hope You Never Discover 

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We know, we know: Florida? For winter? Groundbreaking. But hear us out, because, no, we’re not suggesting Miami. Instead, we’re making the case for the Florida Keys — specifically, the hidden gem that is Islamorada. The colorful 20-mile stretch of tropical paradise has palm-fringed beaches, startlingly blue waters, laidback island vibes, bustling art and restaurant scenes, lost-in-time dive bars, and outdoor activities galore (kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, to name a few). Though, in all honesty, the outrageously good key lime pie is reason enough to make the trip.

🛏 Tucked just outside downtown Islamorada, Amara Cay Resort boasts spacious, coastal-chic rooms and suites — not that you’ll be spending much time inside. During your stay, you can relax at the property’s oceanfront pool or Lighthouse Beach (where you’ll be able to spot the over 150-year-old Alligator Reef Lighthouse), sip on frozen cocktails at the Tiki Bar, and take a ride on the Rum Runner water taxi. Plus, you’ll have access to all the amenities at Amara Cay’s sister resorts, which happen to be minutes away. 

🎨 With notable residents like Ernest Hemingway, Key West has long been renowned as a quirky, anything-goes artists’ haven. But in recent years, Islamorada has given it a run for its money, thanks in part to a six-block arts district that’s filled with studios and galleries, including: Gyotaku by Lisa Lee (known for highly detailed, traditional Japanese fish prints); Jessica Ann Art (popular for vibrant images of marine life); and The Hale Gallery (we’re partial to the dreamy oil paintings of cotton-candy sunsets). Art enthusiasts should also stop by Rain Barrel Village, a quintessential Keys spot where you can buy handmade pieces and get a pic with 30-foot-tall Betsy the Lobster.

🚣‍♀️ Islamorada is often called the sportfishing capital of the world, but if hooks and lines aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to explore the area’s turquoise waters. At Robbie’s of Islamorada, you can join a guided kayak or paddleboard tour to Indian Key Historic State Park, an 11-acre island where you’ll find the ruins of an 1800s town, or take a boat ride to the lush Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, an undeveloped oasis with bougainvillea and hardwood hammock forests. Love lounging in the sun? Head to under-the-radar Anne’s Beach to enjoy its calm, shallow waters.

🍴 For the sweetest start to your day, grab a Banana Chai Frappe, Almond Joy Latte, or another specialty drink at Midway Cafe & Coffee Bar. When you’re ready for lunch, hit up Bad Boy Burrito for — you guessed it — burritos, stuffed with local fish and Key West pink shrimp. Later, head to Morada Bay Keys Beach Café & Bar for Caribbean-meets-American cuisine (think: conch salad, lobster fritters, coconut rice bowls) with sublime sunset views. Or, try Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar, to feast on stone crab chowder, tuna nachos, and the catch of the day while listening to live music. Finally, it’d be a crime to leave the Keys without sampling the previously mentioned outrageously good key lime pie, so stop at nearby Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory for a giant slice…or two.

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

Q: A good friend recently got married and asked guests not to give gifts. I obeyed her request, but she’s been cold ever since. Was I in the wrong?

“When a couple requests that gifts not be given, it makes perfect sense to honor [that]. But before you jump to the conclusion that your friend is being cold because [of that], it might be wise to reach out and see if something else is going on. Newly married couples often face a huge amount of stress as they transition to married life ... and these feelings can creep into other relationships. So ask if they’d like to meet for coffee. 

… If your friend continues to stay cold, take the pressure off yourself. If this person truly is a ‘good friend,’ they’ll connect with you in a positive way. But if they choose to hold a silent grudge because you honored their request, don’t chase the friendship — since you did nothing wrong.”

We Want to Know…

Would you say there’s a connection between financial confidence and self-care? We’re launching a survey to get tangible data that can help create a future where more women lead not just in finance, but in all areas of life.

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.