This Street-Corn-Inspired Weeknight Dinner Has Chicken, Rice, and Everything Nice
theSkimm
Friends, countrywomen, lend us your ears…of corn, that is. Because we can’t stop making Jenn Eats Good’s Street-Corn-Inspired Chicken and Rice — basically most of what we love about Mexican elote, but in an easy weeknight dinner that comes together in under an hour, in one pan. Think: smoky spiced chicken thighs, sweet corn, and toasted rice all cooking together, then topped with cotija cheese, lime, and cilantro. Oh, and whatever you do, don’t skip the side of tortilla chips for scooping up all the good stuff at the end. Call us corny, but we think we’re in love.
The Time Commitment: About 50 minutes.
Key Tips: Fresh, frozen, or canned corn work equally well here. And the dish freezes fantastically, so double the recipe — and consider it a gift to future you.
Other Takes: For more dishes that are worth buying an extra ear (or 10), try...
Grilled Halloumi, Corn, and Peach Summer Salad. Can you imagine a more delicious reason to fire up the grill — or, let’s be honest, skillet? No, you cannot. Next question.
Summer Steak With Corn and Tomatoes. The easiest weeknight steak recipe, served on a bed of salad that tastes precisely like summer.
Sweet Corn Carbonara. 🎶 Where the skies are so blue… 🎶
Furious Violet by Sarai Walker
theSkimm
If your favorite books are the ones that have you triple-checking that you locked your doors, add Sarai Walker’s Furious Violet to the top of your TBR pile. The novel follows Violet “West” Shelley, a true-crime writer living in the shadow of her mother, a renowned poet who died by suicide just months after giving birth to her. Now approaching 50, West is doing research for a long-overdue book about a serial killer in the ’70s and ’80s who wept for his mother immediately after his brutal crimes. But when West realizes she’s being stalked by a stranger who believes she’s their mother (which would be news to her), what follows is what one reviewer called a “pulse-pounding tale of paranoia.” We asked Walker a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
Q: What’s one thing everyone needs to watch?
Walker: Enlightened, the HBO series created by Mike White (of The White Lotus fame) and Laura Dern. It’s brilliant.
Q: What’s the one place everyone needs to visit?
Walker: Ghost Ranch and the surrounding area in northern New Mexico, where Georgia O’Keeffe lived and painted some of her most iconic works. It’s a magical place and I absolutely love it there.
Q: What’s one recipe everyone should make?
Walker: This spoon cake from Erin French at The Lost Kitchen. The recipe calls for rhubarb, but I use strawberries. It’s so delicious that you’d never believe how easy it is to make.
PS: Walker has strong opinions on true-crime podcasts — but these three won her over.
You’re Probably Missing Out on This Lesser-Known Colorado Mountain Town
theSkimm
Let’s get this out of the way: Is Crested Butte the most convenient town to get to in Colorado? No, but that’s precisely what makes it so special. CB has all the beauty of better-known Rocky Mountain towns (say, Aspen or Vail), yet as any local will proudly tell you, it’s quieter and less pretentious. The historic downtown is filled with mom-and-pop shops, beloved restaurants, and picture-perfect Victorian buildings. And while CB is best known as a ski destination, it’s — dare we say — even more spectacular in warmer months, when “the Wildflower Capital of Colorado” bursts with color, and residents and guests alike take advantage of every outdoor adventure imaginable.
⛰️ In what should be a surprise to no one, Crested Butte is paradise for people who love the outdoors. Hop on a chairlift at Mt. Crested Butte and relish the unparalleled views as you hike or mountain bike down the various trails. Or, head farther north on Gothic Road to the 5.8-mile Snodgrass Mountain Trail — another popular spot that winds through lush aspen groves and wildflower meadows. Feeling even more adventurous? Push deeper into the mountains, past the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town of Gothic (home to a shockingly good coffee shop and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory), and you’ll eventually reach Emerald Lake, where swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking in the bright turquoise water are well worth the (very rugged) drive.
🛍️ Soak up the ridiculously charming, small-town vibes with a stroll down Elk Avenue — CB’s vibrant main street. First, fuel up at Camp 4 Coffee (order an iced vanilla latte and you’ll understand the lines). Then browse the racks of mountain-chic clothes at Favor the Kind, pick out a handcrafted hat at Björkstam Hat Co., flip through new releases at Townie Books, and enjoy Chillberg’s New Zealand-style ice cream (essentially, soft serve blended with fruit). And be sure to stop in the many impressive art galleries, like the Shaun Horne Gallery (the owners specialize in dreamy plein-air paintings) and Paragon Art Gallery (showcasing local ceramicists, jewelry designers, and glass artists).
🍴 We never would’ve predicted that in a roughly 1,600-person town, you’d find truly wonderful bagels (yes, by New York standards) — but one bite of Butte Bagels’ pretzel everything was all it took to change our minds. When you’re ready for dinner, head to Two Twelve, where dishes like ramp pesto gnocchi and Black Angus filet are cooked over a live fire hearth. Or, snag a seat at The Breadery, a local fave known for — you guessed it — specialty breads and loaded flatbreads, all made from a 60-year-old starter…named Trisha. Finally, end the night at The Dogwood to enjoy inventive cocktails in an old miners’ cabin.
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
My friend only seems to want to communicate via text and whenever I suggest hanging out in person, she’s noncommittal. I’m starting to wonder if it’s personal. How do I tell her I actually want to see her?
“When a friend sticks to texting, it’s often a sign of low social bandwidth rather than a lack of affection. To bridge the gap without adding pressure, suggest a low-stakes microhangout — a 20-minute coffee or a quick walk — that fits more easily into a busy schedule. Be direct but gentle: Let her know you miss spending time together in person and acknowledge how hard it can be to carve out time and energy. If she continues to dodge plans, it may be worth investing more energy in friendships where the effort to connect is mutual.”
FEATURED EXPERT:
Kasley Killam, MPH
Social health and connection expert and author of The Art and Science of Connection
Unleash your competitive side with today's games and puzzles. Go wild.
This Street-Corn-Inspired Weeknight Dinner Has Chicken, Rice, and Everything Nice
theSkimm
Friends, countrywomen, lend us your ears…of corn, that is. Because we can’t stop making Jenn Eats Good’s Street-Corn-Inspired Chicken and Rice — basically most of what we love about Mexican elote, but in an easy weeknight dinner that comes together in under an hour, in one pan. Think: smoky spiced chicken thighs, sweet corn, and toasted rice all cooking together, then topped with cotija cheese, lime, and cilantro. Oh, and whatever you do, don’t skip the side of tortilla chips for scooping up all the good stuff at the end. Call us corny, but we think we’re in love.
The Time Commitment: About 50 minutes.
Key Tips: Fresh, frozen, or canned corn work equally well here. And the dish freezes fantastically, so double the recipe — and consider it a gift to future you.
Other Takes: For more dishes that are worth buying an extra ear (or 10), try...
Grilled Halloumi, Corn, and Peach Summer Salad. Can you imagine a more delicious reason to fire up the grill — or, let’s be honest, skillet? No, you cannot. Next question.
Summer Steak With Corn and Tomatoes. The easiest weeknight steak recipe, served on a bed of salad that tastes precisely like summer.
Sweet Corn Carbonara. 🎶 Where the skies are so blue… 🎶
Furious Violet by Sarai Walker
theSkimm
If your favorite books are the ones that have you triple-checking that you locked your doors, add Sarai Walker’s Furious Violet to the top of your TBR pile. The novel follows Violet “West” Shelley, a true-crime writer living in the shadow of her mother, a renowned poet who died by suicide just months after giving birth to her. Now approaching 50, West is doing research for a long-overdue book about a serial killer in the ’70s and ’80s who wept for his mother immediately after his brutal crimes. But when West realizes she’s being stalked by a stranger who believes she’s their mother (which would be news to her), what follows is what one reviewer called a “pulse-pounding tale of paranoia.” We asked Walker a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
Q: What’s one thing everyone needs to watch?
Walker: Enlightened, the HBO series created by Mike White (of The White Lotus fame) and Laura Dern. It’s brilliant.
Q: What’s the one place everyone needs to visit?
Walker: Ghost Ranch and the surrounding area in northern New Mexico, where Georgia O’Keeffe lived and painted some of her most iconic works. It’s a magical place and I absolutely love it there.
Q: What’s one recipe everyone should make?
Walker: This spoon cake from Erin French at The Lost Kitchen. The recipe calls for rhubarb, but I use strawberries. It’s so delicious that you’d never believe how easy it is to make.
PS: Walker has strong opinions on true-crime podcasts — but these three won her over.
You’re Probably Missing Out on This Lesser-Known Colorado Mountain Town
theSkimm
Let’s get this out of the way: Is Crested Butte the most convenient town to get to in Colorado? No, but that’s precisely what makes it so special. CB has all the beauty of better-known Rocky Mountain towns (say, Aspen or Vail), yet as any local will proudly tell you, it’s quieter and less pretentious. The historic downtown is filled with mom-and-pop shops, beloved restaurants, and picture-perfect Victorian buildings. And while CB is best known as a ski destination, it’s — dare we say — even more spectacular in warmer months, when “the Wildflower Capital of Colorado” bursts with color, and residents and guests alike take advantage of every outdoor adventure imaginable.
⛰️ In what should be a surprise to no one, Crested Butte is paradise for people who love the outdoors. Hop on a chairlift at Mt. Crested Butte and relish the unparalleled views as you hike or mountain bike down the various trails. Or, head farther north on Gothic Road to the 5.8-mile Snodgrass Mountain Trail — another popular spot that winds through lush aspen groves and wildflower meadows. Feeling even more adventurous? Push deeper into the mountains, past the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town of Gothic (home to a shockingly good coffee shop and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory), and you’ll eventually reach Emerald Lake, where swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking in the bright turquoise water are well worth the (very rugged) drive.
🛍️ Soak up the ridiculously charming, small-town vibes with a stroll down Elk Avenue — CB’s vibrant main street. First, fuel up at Camp 4 Coffee (order an iced vanilla latte and you’ll understand the lines). Then browse the racks of mountain-chic clothes at Favor the Kind, pick out a handcrafted hat at Björkstam Hat Co., flip through new releases at Townie Books, and enjoy Chillberg’s New Zealand-style ice cream (essentially, soft serve blended with fruit). And be sure to stop in the many impressive art galleries, like the Shaun Horne Gallery (the owners specialize in dreamy plein-air paintings) and Paragon Art Gallery (showcasing local ceramicists, jewelry designers, and glass artists).
🍴 We never would’ve predicted that in a roughly 1,600-person town, you’d find truly wonderful bagels (yes, by New York standards) — but one bite of Butte Bagels’ pretzel everything was all it took to change our minds. When you’re ready for dinner, head to Two Twelve, where dishes like ramp pesto gnocchi and Black Angus filet are cooked over a live fire hearth. Or, snag a seat at The Breadery, a local fave known for — you guessed it — specialty breads and loaded flatbreads, all made from a 60-year-old starter…named Trisha. Finally, end the night at The Dogwood to enjoy inventive cocktails in an old miners’ cabin.
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