This Deeply Savory, Tomato-Free Bolognese Will Make You Question Everything
theSkimm
A Bolognese with zero tomatoes might sound wrong. And yet, Kay Chun’s Shiitake Mushroom Bolognese Bianco is one of the most satisfying, unbelievably cozy pastas we’ve encountered. Ever. An Asian-inspired riff on white Bolognese, the recipe — from The New York Times contributor’s debut cookbook, Gather Around My Table — combines a classic mirepoix (a fancy word for diced celery, onion, and carrots) with earthy mushrooms, caramelized miso, ground pork, soy sauce, guanciale, and fresh herbs for a deeply meaty ragù, without the hours-long simmer. Add al dente noodles, pasta water, and a heap of Parm — and you’ll have a dinner that’s “holy shiitake” levels of delicious.
The Time Commitment: A little over an hour, plus prep.
Key Tips: While the recipe calls for ground pork, Chun says ground beef, turkey, or chicken are equally good. And the Bolognese freezes well for up to three months — so double the recipe and consider it a gift to future you.
Other Takes: For more fall pastas we’d bathe in if we could, try…
Winter Squash Pasta with Chile & Toasted Garlic. Just when we thought Alison Roman couldn’t top The Pasta, along came this endlessly adaptable weeknight dinner with a garlic-chile oil you’ll want to put on everything.
Pumpkin Vodka Pasta with Spicy Breadcrumbs. That can of pumpkin you keep meaning to bake muffins with? Mix it up with tomato paste, vodka, and cream instead for a 45-minute dish you’ll probably make every other week, at least.
Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle with Sausage & Fennel. A spicy, restaurant-caliber bowl of goodness that, in the words of one fan, “looks worthy of candles and the good wine.” No arguments here.
Every Story Is a Love Story by Imbolo Mbue
theSkimm
Is it possible to forgive the person who took everything from you? That’s the question at the heart of Imbolo Mbue’s Every Story Is a Love Story. Three years after his pregnant wife was killed in a car accident, Wolo, a Cameroonian immigrant, is rebuilding his life — until he receives an unexpected letter that shakes his world. It’s from Victoria, the driver behind the fatal crash, who’s grappling with her own remorse and wants to meet. Despite his family’s insistence that he ignore the note, Wolo eventually says yes. As an unlikely connection forms between the two, Wolo must contend with his grief, his community’s disapproval, and the pull toward healing — and maybe even happiness. We got in touch with Mbue to chat about the one thing she’d never skip and what she’s reading.
Q: What’s one thing you’re an armchair expert on?
Mbue: How to make a bed — and yes, beds should be made every morning.
Q: What’s your favorite unapologetic indulgence?
Mbue: Ordering everything I’d like to taste on a menu.
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only eat one thing, what would it be?
Mbue: Grilled jumbo shrimp.
PS: The memoir Mbue can’t get out of her head? Find out here.
Want To See Banff’s Crystal Clear Lakes Without the Crowds? Go Now
theSkimm
Let’s get this out of the way: Yes, that’s a real place — one you’ve likely seen if you’ve spent any time on the travel corners of the internet. But one thing you still might not know about Banff? Fall is the best time to visit the Canadian mountain town. The trees turn an electric gold that looks Photoshopped (it’s not). The hiking trails get noticeably quieter. And you can soak up all the coziness of après-ski, without the treacherous weather and heavy gear. Plus, there’s a downtown lined with mountain-chic accommodations (stay at Moose Hotel & Suites), vibrant art galleries (the wildlife photography at Jeff Walker Gallery is a standout), and shops selling everything from artisanal teas (in an 1890s log cabin, no less) to 25 flavors of fudge. Oh, and did we mention the town’s castle-inspired hotel that looks like it belongs in a Wes Anderson film? Consider those Patagonias packed.
💧 Take advantage of those Officially OOO, Ready-for-Anything vibes and go big at Banff National Park’s crown jewel: Lake Louise, which, at this time of year, will have gloriously fewer people obscuring the view. Once you’ve said “I can’t believe water can be that blue” for the 15th time, hit one of two nearby hikes. True to its name, Plain of Six Glaciers boasts sweeping vistas of the surrounding glaciers, while Lake Agnes is slightly shorter and offers serene forest views. (You could even do both in one day for extra bragging rights.) More of a biker than a hiker? Channel that same Day-One Ambition on Goat Creek Trail, a suitable-for-most-levels route that links Banff to nearby Canmore (one of the filming locations for HBO’s The Last Of Us).
👟 When your feet need a break, enjoy Banff’s easier, yet just as stunning, outdoor offerings. Like Johnston Canyon, a trail that includes suspended catwalks that cross over a rushing river and offer an up-close look at the cascading waterfalls (don’t worry, there’s a railing). If even that’s too much walking (relatable), hop in the car and cruise the glacier-lined Icefields Parkway, which connects Banff and Jasper National Parks and has been called “one of the most spectacular drives in the world.” Or, take a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for the area’s best views. At night, head to nearby Lake Minnewanka to gaze up at stars, constellations, and, if you’re lucky, a celestial phenomenon known as Steve (pro tip: pack blankets and hot cocoa).
🍴 Some people don’t mind spending a month’s rent on accommodations. Those people stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs. For the rest of us, the hotel’s afternoon tea is the next best thing — with (almost) too-pretty-to-eat pastries, homemade preserves, and stunning mountain views. Or, for an afternoon pick-me-up that’s more grab-and-go, swing by Wild Flour for freshly baked breads and ridiculously large maple twists. When you’re ready for dinner, try Block Kitchen + Bar, a local favorite serving up bao buns, nori-dusted Tokyo fries, and more Asian-inspired dishes. And if your thrill-seeking extends beyond the outdoors, check out Banff’s famous fondue spot, The Grizzly House, where the menu ranges from rattlesnake and alligator to steak and seafood (we’re relieved too).
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
My work friends make more money than me, and it shows. They often suggest expensive restaurants and activities I can’t afford. When I propose cheaper options, I’m outvoted. How do I handle the gap without making it awkward?
“The question I’d ask is how direct you’ve been about why you’re suggesting other plans. Talking about money with friends is uncomfortable — and working in the same organization adds another layer, because people make assumptions about what everyone earns. But comparable salaries don’t mean comparable budgets. We all have different obligations and priorities, so be as direct as you feel comfortable being and see whether that transparency changes the group’s tune.
If it doesn’t, you have choices to make. Do these friendships really matter to you? If so, take a look at your discretionary spending and see if there’s room to join them occasionally — once a quarter, perhaps. Understanding your cash flow means you can consciously splurge on something you value every once in a while, without the guilt of just saying yes and worrying about the bill later.
That said, once you’ve been transparent, their obligation changes. Your friends don’t have to organize every outing around whoever wants to spend less — but if they know the plans are routinely out of reach for you and never make an effort to meet you in the middle, that tells you something useful about these relationships. If you’ve been honest about your limits and no one is willing to accommodate them, you’re allowed to spend both your money and your energy elsewhere.”
FEATURED EXPERT:
Heather Boneparth
Coauthor of Money Together and The Joint Account newsletter
Unleash your competitive side with today's games and puzzles. Go wild.
This Deeply Savory, Tomato-Free Bolognese Will Make You Question Everything
theSkimm
A Bolognese with zero tomatoes might sound wrong. And yet, Kay Chun’s Shiitake Mushroom Bolognese Bianco is one of the most satisfying, unbelievably cozy pastas we’ve encountered. Ever. An Asian-inspired riff on white Bolognese, the recipe — from The New York Times contributor’s debut cookbook, Gather Around My Table — combines a classic mirepoix (a fancy word for diced celery, onion, and carrots) with earthy mushrooms, caramelized miso, ground pork, soy sauce, guanciale, and fresh herbs for a deeply meaty ragù, without the hours-long simmer. Add al dente noodles, pasta water, and a heap of Parm — and you’ll have a dinner that’s “holy shiitake” levels of delicious.
The Time Commitment: A little over an hour, plus prep.
Key Tips: While the recipe calls for ground pork, Chun says ground beef, turkey, or chicken are equally good. And the Bolognese freezes well for up to three months — so double the recipe and consider it a gift to future you.
Other Takes: For more fall pastas we’d bathe in if we could, try…
Winter Squash Pasta with Chile & Toasted Garlic. Just when we thought Alison Roman couldn’t top The Pasta, along came this endlessly adaptable weeknight dinner with a garlic-chile oil you’ll want to put on everything.
Pumpkin Vodka Pasta with Spicy Breadcrumbs. That can of pumpkin you keep meaning to bake muffins with? Mix it up with tomato paste, vodka, and cream instead for a 45-minute dish you’ll probably make every other week, at least.
Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle with Sausage & Fennel. A spicy, restaurant-caliber bowl of goodness that, in the words of one fan, “looks worthy of candles and the good wine.” No arguments here.
Every Story Is a Love Story by Imbolo Mbue
theSkimm
Is it possible to forgive the person who took everything from you? That’s the question at the heart of Imbolo Mbue’s Every Story Is a Love Story. Three years after his pregnant wife was killed in a car accident, Wolo, a Cameroonian immigrant, is rebuilding his life — until he receives an unexpected letter that shakes his world. It’s from Victoria, the driver behind the fatal crash, who’s grappling with her own remorse and wants to meet. Despite his family’s insistence that he ignore the note, Wolo eventually says yes. As an unlikely connection forms between the two, Wolo must contend with his grief, his community’s disapproval, and the pull toward healing — and maybe even happiness. We got in touch with Mbue to chat about the one thing she’d never skip and what she’s reading.
Q: What’s one thing you’re an armchair expert on?
Mbue: How to make a bed — and yes, beds should be made every morning.
Q: What’s your favorite unapologetic indulgence?
Mbue: Ordering everything I’d like to taste on a menu.
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only eat one thing, what would it be?
Mbue: Grilled jumbo shrimp.
PS: The memoir Mbue can’t get out of her head? Find out here.
Want To See Banff’s Crystal Clear Lakes Without the Crowds? Go Now
theSkimm
Let’s get this out of the way: Yes, that’s a real place — one you’ve likely seen if you’ve spent any time on the travel corners of the internet. But one thing you still might not know about Banff? Fall is the best time to visit the Canadian mountain town. The trees turn an electric gold that looks Photoshopped (it’s not). The hiking trails get noticeably quieter. And you can soak up all the coziness of après-ski, without the treacherous weather and heavy gear. Plus, there’s a downtown lined with mountain-chic accommodations (stay at Moose Hotel & Suites), vibrant art galleries (the wildlife photography at Jeff Walker Gallery is a standout), and shops selling everything from artisanal teas (in an 1890s log cabin, no less) to 25 flavors of fudge. Oh, and did we mention the town’s castle-inspired hotel that looks like it belongs in a Wes Anderson film? Consider those Patagonias packed.
💧 Take advantage of those Officially OOO, Ready-for-Anything vibes and go big at Banff National Park’s crown jewel: Lake Louise, which, at this time of year, will have gloriously fewer people obscuring the view. Once you’ve said “I can’t believe water can be that blue” for the 15th time, hit one of two nearby hikes. True to its name, Plain of Six Glaciers boasts sweeping vistas of the surrounding glaciers, while Lake Agnes is slightly shorter and offers serene forest views. (You could even do both in one day for extra bragging rights.) More of a biker than a hiker? Channel that same Day-One Ambition on Goat Creek Trail, a suitable-for-most-levels route that links Banff to nearby Canmore (one of the filming locations for HBO’s The Last Of Us).
👟 When your feet need a break, enjoy Banff’s easier, yet just as stunning, outdoor offerings. Like Johnston Canyon, a trail that includes suspended catwalks that cross over a rushing river and offer an up-close look at the cascading waterfalls (don’t worry, there’s a railing). If even that’s too much walking (relatable), hop in the car and cruise the glacier-lined Icefields Parkway, which connects Banff and Jasper National Parks and has been called “one of the most spectacular drives in the world.” Or, take a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for the area’s best views. At night, head to nearby Lake Minnewanka to gaze up at stars, constellations, and, if you’re lucky, a celestial phenomenon known as Steve (pro tip: pack blankets and hot cocoa).
🍴 Some people don’t mind spending a month’s rent on accommodations. Those people stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs. For the rest of us, the hotel’s afternoon tea is the next best thing — with (almost) too-pretty-to-eat pastries, homemade preserves, and stunning mountain views. Or, for an afternoon pick-me-up that’s more grab-and-go, swing by Wild Flour for freshly baked breads and ridiculously large maple twists. When you’re ready for dinner, try Block Kitchen + Bar, a local favorite serving up bao buns, nori-dusted Tokyo fries, and more Asian-inspired dishes. And if your thrill-seeking extends beyond the outdoors, check out Banff’s famous fondue spot, The Grizzly House, where the menu ranges from rattlesnake and alligator to steak and seafood (we’re relieved too).
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