Forget the Big Game â This Caramelized Onion Dip Takes the TrophytheSkimmWe might not be able to explain the particulars of tomorrowâs big game (luckily, we have theSkimmâs sports podcast,Well Played, for that). But one thing we do know is snacks. And nothing tops this Caramelized Onion Dip from cookbook author and GrossyWorld creator Dan Pelosi. Likened to âFrench onion soup meets French onion dip,â this gloriously gooey dish combines melty caramelized onions with a rich, tangy mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, GruyĂšre, and all sorts of savory seasonings. Serve it alongside crusty bread, crinkly chips, and colorful cruditĂ©s or eat it straight from the skillet with a spoon â and, either way, itâll be the talk of the partyâŠafter whatever Taylor is wearing, obviously. The Time Commitment: About an hour and a half. Though half of that time is spent caramelizing the onions, so they get that sweet taste and jammy texture â which, we promise, is worth the effort. Key Tips: The key to caramelizing onions is cooking them low and slow. If you try to speed up the process by increasing the heat, theyâll likely burn. Also, avoid slicing the onions too thin â you want each strip to be about 1/4-inch thick. Other Takes: For more ways to level up your Super Bowl spread, this Hot Pickle and Cheese Cracker Dip is bright, briny, and â most important â topped with crushed Cheez-Its, while these Chiliâs-inspired Southwestern Egg Rolls are crunchy on the outside and filled with spiced chicken and cheese on the inside. And weâd be remiss if we didnât mention what is arguably the worldâs best party app: Chicago-style Pigs in a Blanket, featuring pickled peppers and a special dipping sauce. Finally, if you thought we made it all this way and forgot about nachos, well, of course not. These White Chicken Chili Nachos take 20 minutes to assemble and are layered with tender white beans and zesty salsa verde. |
| Victorian Psycho by Virginia FeitotheSkimmHell hath no fury like a killer-pretending-to-be-a-governess seeking revenge. At least, thatâs the case in Virginia Feitoâs Victorian Psycho, described as a mix of Fleabag and A Christmas Carol â but with a menacing twist. Set in 19th-century England, this darkly funny thriller follows Winifred Notty, a newly hired governess at the Pounds family estate, who arrives prepared to tutor the familyâs spoiled young charges. As she endures the familyâs awful behavior â Mr. Poundsâs creepy glances, Mrs. Poundsâs resentment â Winifredâs sinister past resurfaces. With a plot like that, no wonder the novel is already being adapted into a feature film, starring Margaret Qualley. We caught up with Feito to ask her a few questions. Hereâs what she had to say⊠Q: Whatâs the last thing you read that you canât stop thinking about?Feito: Come Closer by Sara Gran. Itâs pretty haunting and I wasnât expecting it to hit me as hard as it did. Q: Whatâs a corner of the internet you recently discovered?Feito: Ottessa Moshfeghâs Substack. What a wonderfully weird space. Q: Whatâs the one thing you canât leave the house without?Feito: Regret. |
| Oahuâs North Shore Is the Magical Oasis You Didnât Know ExistedtheSkimmWith its vibrant city life, renowned historical sites, and stunning shorelines, it should come as no surprise that Oahu is Hawaiiâs 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. Known as the âsurfing capital of the world,â 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. đ Heads up: While the North Shore has an abundance of cottage rentals and Airbnbs, there arenât nearly as many resorts. That said, if youâre a Hotel Personâą, check out Courtyard Oahu North Shore. Conveniently located minutes from several top attractions, the affordable and kid-friendly property offers newly renovated island-style rooms, complimentary ukulele and lei-making lessons, a picture perfect pool (think: chic cabanas, a rocky waterfall, lawn games), and kayak, surfboard, and stand-up paddleboard rentals. đș Sure, the North Shore is known for its surfing, but equally notable are its history and culture. Spend an afternoon wandering around Haleiwaâs colorful wooden buildings, which are a nod to the communityâs humble beginnings as a sugar plantation, but now house lively boutiques (donât 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. đ Now, for the reason youâre really here: the beaches. You canât go wrong with a combo of Sharkâs Cove (known 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 worldâs 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. đŽ Acai bowls may have started in Brazil, but theyâre a local favorite in Hawaii â so begin your day at Haleiwa Bowls. For lunch, make your way to Haleiwa Joeâs Seafood Grill to feast on the grilled local catch with a side of fantastic ocean views. Feeling fancy? For dinner, make a reservation at Alaia â located in the luxury Ritz-Carlton Oâahu, Turtle Bay resort â 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. |
| We asked you to vote on an etiquette question youâd like answered. The winner was: Q: I love spending time with my sister-in-law â but she shows up late for everything. I know she has a lot on her plate, so how can I let her know Iâm feeling disrespected, without starting a confrontation?âInvite your sister-in-law over or take her out to lunch. Tell her in a very kind, respectful manner that her tardiness is affecting your relationship. Let her know you love her and value [your] bond, but itâs wearing on you to always have to wait for her. Be proactive and to the point, and tell her that you want to set some clear boundaries because it means a great deal to you that you both [arrive] at the time you agreed on. If you donât speak up, itâs going to build resentment.â |
| Which etiquette question should an expert answer next week? |
| Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently. Nordstromâs Winter Sale is here to get you through the winter slog. Through February 17, get up to 60% off a cozy throw blanket, a nicer-than-usual sweatshirt, and more. In other urgent sale news, Abercrombieâs denim sale ends tomorrow. Nowâs your chance to grab the slouchy jeans so comfortable, one editor wears them on flights. Looking for a last-minute V-Day gift? These Gorjana hoops have a unique, croissant-like design, while still being lightweight. Find your closest locations at checkout so you can pick them up in-store. A foolproof Valentineâs Day gift: personalized M&Ms. Get them for 15% off today and dole them out to everyone you appreciate, from your dog walker to your kidâs teacher. | PS: Want more product recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram. |
| Have a book, recipe, or travel rec? Or, a dicey etiquette question you want answered by an expert? Submit them here. |
| Skimmâd by: Taylor Trudon, Alex Carr, Melissa Goldberg, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson. Fact-checked by Jordan Mamone. | Photos by Dan Pelosi, Liveright, Art Wager via iStock, maximkabb via iStock, fotostorm via Getty Images, courtesy of Diane Gottsman, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm *PS: This is a sponsored post. |
| |
|