Mamma Mia, These Crispy, Cheesy Meatballs Are Eggplant Parm’s Highest Calling
theSkimm
We never thought the perfection that is eggplant Parmesan could be improved upon. That was before Dishing Out Health’s Eggplant Parmesan Meatballs. In this weeknight-friendly recipe, tender meatballs are packed with roasted eggplant, a glorious amount of cheese, seasoned breadcrumbs, and fresh parsley, then nestled in store-bought marinara and dotted with dollops of ricotta. The result? All the flavor of the Italian dish, in the form of cheesy, saucy, vegetarian meatballs that’ll even have meat lovers asking for seconds. Enjoy them over spaghetti, piled onto a hoagie, or straight from the pan with crusty bread — and don’t be surprised if, like one fan, you end up making them three times in a month.
The Time Commitment: About an hour.
Key Tips: If the pulsed eggplant mixture looks too watery, Jamie Vespa (aka Dishing Out Health) suggests adding an extra tablespoon or two of breadcrumbs when mixing in the remaining ingredients to help the meatballs hold their shape.
Other Takes: Need more proof we know (meat)ball? Try…
Chicken Piccata Meatballs. A lemony, capery, no-dredging-necessary riff on the Italian-American classic that’s so tasty, one commenter wanted to give it “10 stars.” Can you blame her?
Butter Chicken Meatballs. Keep a stash of homemade or store-bought meatballs in your freezer and you can have this creamy goodness on the table in 20 minutes — faster than your go-to takeout spot, we’d bet.
Chicken and Scallion “Dumpling” Meatballs with Chili-Sesame Drizzle. In which: your favorite dumplings − fussy folding = the easiest, most crowd-pleasing party app in town. Or be like us and call it dinner.
Hollywood, Ending by John Green
theSkimm
If the name “John Green” triggers flashbacks of sobbing over your copy of The Fault in Our Stars and/or crying into a bag of popcorn during the film adaptation, we have news: He’s back — and this time, with his first novel for adults. Hollywood, Ending centers on two up-and-coming actors cast in a buzzy Andy Warhol biopic: Juniper, a fiercely ambitious performer with a knack for the publicity game, and Kai, a wide-eyed industry newcomer with a complicated past. Naturally, an off-screen romance ensues — and when the movie catapults the pair to superstardom, they’re forced to reckon with the Hollywood gossip machine, the attention economy, and each other. We got in touch with Green to chat about how he unwinds and his unhinged take on cereal.
Q: What is your most prized possession?
Green: When my son was born, Harper Lee sent me a book signed for him. I think technically that means it is his possession, but I sure do prize it.
Q: What’s one unpopular opinion you have?
Green: I think cereal is better when moistened with water than milk. This horrifies my family and all those who love me, but I just like watered cereal more than I like milked cereal.
Q: What’s one thing everyone needs to watch?
Green: The new season of Jet Lag: The Game, a YouTube show where two teams of young people race across the length of Japan using only public transportation. I watch it every day while I eat lunch. I know I should spend that time staring into the distance and coming up with ideas for novels, but this show is just enthralling.
PS: The “rich and atmospheric” novel Green can’t stop thinking about? Find out here.
We’re Calling It: This Is the World’s Most Underrated Wine Region — At Least, for Now
theSkimm
Finish this sentence: Bordeaux is to France as ______ is to Spain. The answer? La Rioja. Located less than an hour and a half south of Bilbao, Spain’s most prized wine region is home to more than 500 wineries (or, “bodegas”), mind-bending modern architecture, dramatic landscapes, and sun-drenched medieval cities and towns. Like Logroño, the capital of La Rioja and an ideal home base. Check into the Áurea Palacio de Correos, then stroll winding cobblestone streets, pop into ancient churches and art galleries, sip impossibly affordable wine, and walk a small stretch of the Camino de Santiago. And if all that sounds a bit exhausting? Remember, you’re in the land of the siesta.
🍷 Let’s start with the reason you’re here: the bold reds. Whether you join a guided tour or do your own thing, your first stop should be Bodegas Ysios — with its women-led wine-making team, postcard-worthy mountain views, and eye-popping building designed by Santiago Calatrava. Two other spots where the architecture is almost as epic as the pours? Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal, which topped the World’s Best Vineyards list in 2024 and includes an avant-garde masterpiece by Frank Gehry. Plus, R. López de Heredia, known for its aged wines and Zaha Hadid-designed tasting room in nearby Haro. There, you’ll also find Barrio de la Estación, a historic district with six approximately century-old wineries in walking distance, like family-run Bodegas Muga.
🗺️ La Rioja is filled with ridiculously idyllic towns and villages, many of which are less than an hour’s drive away. Head to Laguardia to wander around mazelike streets, browse cute boutiques, and soak up what some say is the area’s most picturesque town. Though teeny-tiny Briones is equally worthy of that title, thanks to its medieval buildings, stunning scenery, and impressive wine museum showcasing some 220 grape varieties from around the world. Finally, design enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Ezcaray. Specifically, Mantas Ezcaray, a textile company famous for mohair blankets and scarves — and collabs with high-end fashion brands, like Hermès and Loewe.
🍴 If there’s one thing Logroño takes more seriously than wine, it’s pintxos — or bite-sized snacks that should be eaten while standing (we don’t make the rules). Head to Calle del Laurel and Calle San Juan, which are lined with dozens of bars focused on one or two specialties: Bar Soriano serves garlicky mushrooms topped with prawns, Bar Lorenzo is popular for its marinated pork sandwich, and Bar Sebas offers a Spanish tortilla with spicy sauce. Ready for a sit-down meal? Try Michelin-starred Ikaro, where the husband-and-wife chefs draw inspiration from their respective Basque and Ecuadorian roots. And don’t leave without sampling DellaSera’s inventive ice cream flavors, like lemon cream with olive oil and aged goat cheese with berries.
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
My book club rotates who hosts, but one person has two dogs and two cats that leave hair everywhere — and a smell that’s hard to ignore. We’ve tried skipping her house gracefully, but it’s becoming obvious. What do we do?
“You have two options. The first is to find a neutral space that works for everyone — a local library, coffee shop, or brewery. The second is a private conversation with the member, leading with kindness and a gentle reframe. You could say, ‘I’ve been thinking about our meetings and wanted to bring something up that a few members have mentioned. Everyone loves your pets, but some have been struggling with allergies. Do you think we could sit outside next time — or I could help cohost at the library, if that’s easier?’ It’s likely she has no idea her space is making others uncomfortable. This approach keeps the focus on a solution rather than the problem, which makes it much easier for her to hear.”
FEATURED EXPERT:
Courtney Opalko
Founder of Courtney Opalko Etiquette
Unleash your competitive side with today's games and puzzles. Go wild.
Mamma Mia, These Crispy, Cheesy Meatballs Are Eggplant Parm’s Highest Calling
theSkimm
We never thought the perfection that is eggplant Parmesan could be improved upon. That was before Dishing Out Health’s Eggplant Parmesan Meatballs. In this weeknight-friendly recipe, tender meatballs are packed with roasted eggplant, a glorious amount of cheese, seasoned breadcrumbs, and fresh parsley, then nestled in store-bought marinara and dotted with dollops of ricotta. The result? All the flavor of the Italian dish, in the form of cheesy, saucy, vegetarian meatballs that’ll even have meat lovers asking for seconds. Enjoy them over spaghetti, piled onto a hoagie, or straight from the pan with crusty bread — and don’t be surprised if, like one fan, you end up making them three times in a month.
The Time Commitment: About an hour.
Key Tips: If the pulsed eggplant mixture looks too watery, Jamie Vespa (aka Dishing Out Health) suggests adding an extra tablespoon or two of breadcrumbs when mixing in the remaining ingredients to help the meatballs hold their shape.
Other Takes: Need more proof we know (meat)ball? Try…
Chicken Piccata Meatballs. A lemony, capery, no-dredging-necessary riff on the Italian-American classic that’s so tasty, one commenter wanted to give it “10 stars.” Can you blame her?
Butter Chicken Meatballs. Keep a stash of homemade or store-bought meatballs in your freezer and you can have this creamy goodness on the table in 20 minutes — faster than your go-to takeout spot, we’d bet.
Chicken and Scallion “Dumpling” Meatballs with Chili-Sesame Drizzle. In which: your favorite dumplings − fussy folding = the easiest, most crowd-pleasing party app in town. Or be like us and call it dinner.
Hollywood, Ending by John Green
theSkimm
If the name “John Green” triggers flashbacks of sobbing over your copy of The Fault in Our Stars and/or crying into a bag of popcorn during the film adaptation, we have news: He’s back — and this time, with his first novel for adults. Hollywood, Ending centers on two up-and-coming actors cast in a buzzy Andy Warhol biopic: Juniper, a fiercely ambitious performer with a knack for the publicity game, and Kai, a wide-eyed industry newcomer with a complicated past. Naturally, an off-screen romance ensues — and when the movie catapults the pair to superstardom, they’re forced to reckon with the Hollywood gossip machine, the attention economy, and each other. We got in touch with Green to chat about how he unwinds and his unhinged take on cereal.
Q: What is your most prized possession?
Green: When my son was born, Harper Lee sent me a book signed for him. I think technically that means it is his possession, but I sure do prize it.
Q: What’s one unpopular opinion you have?
Green: I think cereal is better when moistened with water than milk. This horrifies my family and all those who love me, but I just like watered cereal more than I like milked cereal.
Q: What’s one thing everyone needs to watch?
Green: The new season of Jet Lag: The Game, a YouTube show where two teams of young people race across the length of Japan using only public transportation. I watch it every day while I eat lunch. I know I should spend that time staring into the distance and coming up with ideas for novels, but this show is just enthralling.
PS: The “rich and atmospheric” novel Green can’t stop thinking about? Find out here.
We’re Calling It: This Is the World’s Most Underrated Wine Region — At Least, for Now
theSkimm
Finish this sentence: Bordeaux is to France as ______ is to Spain. The answer? La Rioja. Located less than an hour and a half south of Bilbao, Spain’s most prized wine region is home to more than 500 wineries (or, “bodegas”), mind-bending modern architecture, dramatic landscapes, and sun-drenched medieval cities and towns. Like Logroño, the capital of La Rioja and an ideal home base. Check into the Áurea Palacio de Correos, then stroll winding cobblestone streets, pop into ancient churches and art galleries, sip impossibly affordable wine, and walk a small stretch of the Camino de Santiago. And if all that sounds a bit exhausting? Remember, you’re in the land of the siesta.
🍷 Let’s start with the reason you’re here: the bold reds. Whether you join a guided tour or do your own thing, your first stop should be Bodegas Ysios — with its women-led wine-making team, postcard-worthy mountain views, and eye-popping building designed by Santiago Calatrava. Two other spots where the architecture is almost as epic as the pours? Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal, which topped the World’s Best Vineyards list in 2024 and includes an avant-garde masterpiece by Frank Gehry. Plus, R. López de Heredia, known for its aged wines and Zaha Hadid-designed tasting room in nearby Haro. There, you’ll also find Barrio de la Estación, a historic district with six approximately century-old wineries in walking distance, like family-run Bodegas Muga.
🗺️ La Rioja is filled with ridiculously idyllic towns and villages, many of which are less than an hour’s drive away. Head to Laguardia to wander around mazelike streets, browse cute boutiques, and soak up what some say is the area’s most picturesque town. Though teeny-tiny Briones is equally worthy of that title, thanks to its medieval buildings, stunning scenery, and impressive wine museum showcasing some 220 grape varieties from around the world. Finally, design enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Ezcaray. Specifically, Mantas Ezcaray, a textile company famous for mohair blankets and scarves — and collabs with high-end fashion brands, like Hermès and Loewe.
🍴 If there’s one thing Logroño takes more seriously than wine, it’s pintxos — or bite-sized snacks that should be eaten while standing (we don’t make the rules). Head to Calle del Laurel and Calle San Juan, which are lined with dozens of bars focused on one or two specialties: Bar Soriano serves garlicky mushrooms topped with prawns, Bar Lorenzo is popular for its marinated pork sandwich, and Bar Sebas offers a Spanish tortilla with spicy sauce. Ready for a sit-down meal? Try Michelin-starred Ikaro, where the husband-and-wife chefs draw inspiration from their respective Basque and Ecuadorian roots. And don’t leave without sampling DellaSera’s inventive ice cream flavors, like lemon cream with olive oil and aged goat cheese with berries.
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.