Eat, Read, Go: Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks, “Lost Lambs,” and El Paso

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. It happened. The cold/flu/virus that took everyone out over the holidays finally came for me, too. Thankfully, there are plenty of things to keep me busy while I rot in bed. First and foremost, I’ll watch the new movie adaptation of my favorite romance novel — which, according to the author, has at least one gasp-worthy difference. But also, I’ll…

• Try naked fringe, which (a) requires zero energy and (b) happens to be one of the six beauty trends that’ll take over our feeds and faces in 2026.

• Debate whether I can pull off the year’s edgiest hairstyle: ghost roots. Sure, they’re bold, but if it means saving money on salon visits…

• Experiment with this very nostalgic tactic for lowering my screentime, since research shows my current method is virtually useless. 

• Book my next mani appointment, so I can get ahead of the curve with blue suede nails — the Fashion Girl-approved look that’s mercifully fuzz-free.

• Investigate “Brotox,” “Daddy Do-Overs,” and all the other aesthetic procedures men are increasingly getting. For the 1,000th time: Are men OK?

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

These Easy, Protein-Packed Sweet Potato Stacks Will Make Your Week

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While some people are going all in on habit stacking right now, we’re stacking something even better: Pinch of Yum’s Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks with Chipotle Sauce. Halved sweet potatoes get roasted until they’re perfectly caramelized, then they’re piled high with spicy ground chicken, a ridiculously good chipotle sauce, and all your favorite fixings (avocado, cilantro, pickled red onions, chili crisp). It’s weeknight-friendly and protein-packed, and the build-your-own setup means everyone gets exactly what they want. Plus, the leftovers are legitimately worth looking forward to — which might explain why nearly every commenter called it basically perfect.

The Time Commitment: One hour.

Key Tips: If your sweet potatoes don’t come out as crispy as you’d like, Lindsay Ostrom (aka Pinch of Yum) suggests a quick sear in a buttered skillet before serving. The dish is also wildly adaptable: Swap the ground chicken for beef, turkey, or tofu crumbles; add black beans for extra fiber; and top with crushed tortilla chips for additional crunch.

Other Takes: For more proof that sweet potatoes are the ultimate dinner workhorse, try...

• Roasted Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Tacos with Smoky Chipotle Cashew Crema — aka the quick, flavorful, pantry-powered veggie tacos that everyone (yes, even the staunchest carnivores) can get behind.

• Chili-Honey Chicken and Sweet Potatoes with Cilantro Yogurt. This sweet-and-spicy sheet pan dinner checks every box: It’s fast, filling, and capable of curing everything.

• Smashed Feta Sweet Potato Boats. Another flavor-packed excuse to use a sweet potato as a vehicle for everything good — namely, tangy cheese, crunchy chickpeas, and silky tahini.

Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash

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We’re not even two weeks into 2026, but we’ve already found the year’s messiest (fictional) family: the Flynns in Madeline Cash’s Lost Lambs. The parents’ open marriage is imploding, eldest daughter Abigail is dating a guy nicknamed War Crimes Wes, middle child Louise is secretly chatting with an internet terrorist, and the youngest, Harper, is convinced that someone is surveilling their small coastal town. So convinced that she makes it her mission to investigate the billionaire shipping magnate she suspects is responsible, pulling the family into a criminal conspiracy that could either destroy them — or, weirdly enough, bring them together. Packed with snarky one-liners and absurd characters, the debut novel “reads like Jonathan Franzen for the TikTok generation.” We asked Cash a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s the last thing you read that you can’t stop thinking about?

Cash: Offseason, a novel by Avigayl Sharp [that’s] coming in May.

Q: What’s one unpopular opinion you have?

Cash: I think people should get dressed up to go on airplanes.

Q: What is your most prized possession?

Cash: A Soviet tenement-building lamp my boyfriend got me for Christmas.

Forget Austin — This Texas City Is Quietly Becoming the State’s Coolest Destination

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Austin may get all the Texas glory — but that doesn’t mean you should sleep on El Paso. Located at the intersection of Texas, Mexico, and New Mexico, the Sun City has long flown under the radar. But after a significant overhaul, this West Texas town is now gaining popularity as a must-visit destination for its rich cultural heritage, hip shops (don’t miss the ones at TI:ME at Montecillo), striking natural scenery, quaint Old West vibes, and, yes, Chico’s Tacos. Not to mention, there are plenty of extended day-trip opportunities, including endlessly funky Marfa or Big Bend National Park, both within driving distance. Yeehaw.

⛰️ No time for Big Bend? No problem — one of the country’s largest urban parks, Franklin Mountains State Park, is just over 15 miles from downtown. There, you can explore more than 100 miles of multiuse trails, including the moderate Aztec Cave Trail (as the name suggests, it takes you to ancient caves) and the North Franklin Peak trail, a strenuous hike leading to El Paso’s highest point, with a 360-degree panorama of the city, New Mexico, and Mexico. Meanwhile, rock climbers should snag one of 70 daily permits for Hueco Tanks State Park, home to distinct rock hollows (aka huecos) and some of the world’s best bouldering.

🎨 El Paso’s arts and culture scene is booming, thanks to a major revitalization. History buffs can explore the city’s architecture and El Segundo Barrio, one of the nation’s most historic Hispanic neighborhoods, on a free, self-guided tour. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the El Paso Museum of Art’s Southwestern and Latin American collections. And music and theater fans can catch a Broadway show or symphony concert at the nearly 100-year-old Plaza Theatre, saved from demolition in the ’80s and beautifully restored in 2006. (Pro tip: Join the theater’s free weekly tour to marvel at the Spanish Colonial Revival design and painted ceilings.)

🍴 OK, the reason you’re really here: the Mexican food. Start at Lucy’s Restaurant, where you can’t go wrong with the Famous Machaca Breakfast. Later, order red enchiladas, chile rellenos, or ground-beef tacos at L&J Cafe, an El Paso institution dating back to 1927. You could also try Taconeta, a modernist Mexican taqueria popular for its heirloom-corn tortillas and creative fillings (see: the tempura mushroom taco, which Texas Monthly declared the sixth best taco in the state). Taco-ed out? Head west to New Mexico — where the brick-oven pizzas, outstanding pastas, and stunning scenery at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing are well worth the 15-minute drive.

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

Q: A close friend and I had a painful falling out years ago, and she just moved to my block. What’s my plan when we run into each other at the grocery store?

“You and your ex-friend are different people than when you had your falling out. I say that to encourage you to find a middle ground between pretending not to see her — which is totally valid, if you can pull it off — and acting overly bubbly, as if you’re completely unbothered by this random encounter. If you have any interest in rekindling the friendship, be kind and genuinely curious about how she’s doing. You can ask a few questions or share something helpful about the neighborhood. If not, still be friendly, but keep questions to a minimum. The bottom line: Your desired outcome should dictate how you respond — and you may need to spend some time figuring out what that is first.”

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.