Weekend: Give Sheet-Pan Salads Their Moment 🥗

Skimm'd after (finally) getting a good night's sleep — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today [theSkimm Logo] [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( March 16, 2024 Daily Skimm Header Image Skimm'd after [(finally) getting a good night's sleep]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Update location]( or [View forecast]( EDITOR’S NOTE Happy Saturday. After a few delightfully warm days, I’m ready to accomplish all the things that I’ve been too seasonally depressed to do, like shopping for spring clothes. I’ve already snagged [a surprisingly chic long denim skirt]( (words I never thought I’d say), but I think I’ll pass on [cable-knit underwear]( and this [$328 “Varsity Blues” sweater with fake whipped cream pasties](. Same with the limited-edition [Cheesecake Factory merch](. Speaking of food, another thing that caught my eye this week was Ina Garten’s [bagel-cutting technique]( — which, trust me, is worse than you think. To soothe your brain after that, I’d suggest reading [the comments section]( of [this Free People post](. Or, watching this video of [a wildlife center employee dressed as a fox](. — Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC [“Anita de Monte Laughs Last” by Xochitl Gonzalez] "Anita de Monte Laughs Last" by Xochitl Gonzalez theSkimm "[Olga Dies Dreaming](" fans, assemble — Xochitl Gonzalez’s second novel is here. Initially set in 1998, it follows first-generation college student Raquel Toro as she embarks on her art history thesis at Brown. That’s when she discovers the story of Anita de Monte, a Cuban artist who died a mysterious death in 1985. The novel takes place along dual timelines, bringing us into Anita’s complicated relationship with her much older, white male lover (who may or may not have killed her) and Raquel’s parallel experiences with the wealthy white men around her. Both women’s stories raise powerful questions about race, privilege, and who belongs in elite worlds. We asked Gonzalez, who also authored the viral article “[The Fake Poor Bride](,” a few questions. Here’s what she had to say… Q: “[Anita de Monte Laughs Last](” revolves around two protagonists: Anita, who was inspired by the late artist Ana Mendieta, and Raquel, who, like you, grew up in Brooklyn and studied art history at Brown. Who was more challenging to write? Gonzalez: I think Raquel was the hardest to write. First, because it is remarkably difficult to take away years of knowledge and experience you have accrued and return to your world view when everything was new. But also, in doing that, you have to leave her much more vulnerable. Every hurt is a fresh bruise. She has less defenses and is uncalloused but still in a calloused world. So emotionally, too, she was difficult. This was also in contrast to Anita — who has been literally burned by the fury of life, right? But she has the room to rage. And rage can be fun. Q: Who’s one artist more people should know about and why? Gonzalez: There’s this wonderful photographer, [Tigre Escobar](, whose work I fell in love with while in Cuba researching this book. They are actually based between New York and Mexico City but were being shown at Ona Galleria and I had to take one of the photographs home. They document queer life and identity in Latin America and there’s this just energy about them that is both unapologetic, but also tender. Q: [Reese Witherspoon]( recently selected “Anita de Monte Laughs Last” as her March book club pick. If you had your own book club, what book would you pick first? Gonzalez: “[Malas](” by Marcela Fuentes. It’s set in 1990s Texas and somehow mixes [the myth of La Llorona]( with the story of a girl mourning her grandmother’s recent death, all set to a punk-rock and Selena soundtrack. It has secrets and cover-ups and political intrigue and teen angst — and it’s a brilliant ride. [Sheet Pan Salmon Nicoise Salad] Sheet-Pan Salads Deserve a Spot in Your Weeknight Dinner Rotation theSkimm In our humble opinion, there’s one category of sheet-pan recipes that hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves — and that’s [sheet-pan salads](. Aside from being delicious and satisfyingly efficient, you’re not stuck cleaning a million bowls and pans. And if you combine all the ingredients on the pan itself, you’ll never eat another sad piece of undressed lettuce. One standout option? This [Sheet Pan Salmon Nicoise Salad]( from The Defined Dish’s Alex Snodgrass, author of three cookbooks, including “[Dinner Tonight](.” It’s got the same je ne sais quoi as the French classic, but requires much less fuss — making it impressive enough for company, but also easy enough for a weeknight. The Time Commitment: Fifty minutes, as long as you prep and assemble the remaining components while the salmon, green beans, and potatoes are roasting. Our Tip: If you don’t love salmon, keep it classic with tuna — either [adding fresh steaks]( to the sheet pan or adding a canned variety just before serving. Not a fan of Chicken of the Sea? [Swap it for actual chicken]( or leave it out entirely. Other Takes: Just as anything can become a salad, any salad can become a sheet-pan salad — whether that’s a [Chopped Salad with Chicken](, a [Deconstructed Chicken Caesar](, an [Italian bread salad]( (aka, a Panzanella), or [your go-to Sweetgreen order](. Not to mention, this combo of [roasted sweet potatoes, crispy chickpeas, and tangy feta]( is also worth considering. [Carmel-By-The-Sea, California] This Is the Most Enchanting Coastal Town in California theSkimm If you dream of living inside a Nancy Meyers movie, you need to head to [Carmel-by-the-Sea](. Located on California’s Monterey Peninsula, the one-square-mile village still has old-school charm (there’s no street addresses or parking meters), along with enviable beach houses, top-notch shops and restaurants, and a growing wine scene. So while we can’t promise you’ll suddenly fall in love with a charming local, you can expect at least one perfectly roasted chicken and plenty of white wine. Just be sure to pack the white linen set you impulse purchased. 🛏 Wainscoted walls painted pistachio, upholstered floral furniture, woven rugs, gas log fireplaces — the 34 rooms at [Le Petit Pali at Ocean Avenue]( tick all the coastal grandmother boxes. Not to mention, guests can also expect Diptyque bath products, mini-bars with gourmet snacks, and homemade cookies delivered nightly. 🛍 Spend a few hours wandering around the storybook-like streets and hidden courtyards in the center of town. There, you’ll come across independent boutiques selling [vintage designer clothing](, [imported British candies](, [curated books](, and more. You’ll also discover nearly [100 art galleries](, including the town’s oldest, [Carmel Art Association](, and [Weston Gallery](, known for photographs by artists like Ansel Adams, who had a home nearby. [Carmel-By-The-Sea, California] 🌅 Outside of town, you’ll find sandy beaches, dramatic coastlines, and scenic drives — like this [jaw-dropping, 17-mile stretch]( that weaves through Pebble Beach. (Stop at Spanish Bay and Lone Cypress for the best views.) Another great option for outdoorsy types? [Point Lobos State Natural Reserve](, where you can hike the popular [Cypress Grove Trail](. 🍴 Carmel probably isn’t what comes to mind when you think of California wine — but [Carmel Valley’s]( numerous tasting rooms are gaining popularity. For dinner, head over to [La Bicyclette](, a neighborhood bistro with French-Italian fare like risotto nero, steak au poivre, and wood-fired pizzas. Or, grab a table at [the Restaurant at Mission Ranch]( (owned by actor and former mayor Clint Eastwood), where you can listen to live music and watch sheep graze. [Ask An Expert Etiquette Edition] We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was: Q: I’m in a wedding party, and the bride is insisting that everyone get their hair and makeup professionally done. I don’t want to cause drama, but it’s expensive and not something I’d normally do. Is there a way to say no? [Two friends talking on a bench.] “Outside of the bridesmaid dress, anything that the bride is requiring should really be covered by the bride … So if it’s on the bridesmaid to pay for her own hair and makeup, you should be able to say no. There’s a few different ways to do that, but it’s important to have [that] conversation as soon as possible … in person or over the phone … One way [to] say no [is] something like, ‘I’m really excited to be part of your wedding day, and I appreciate you organizing hair and makeup. But with the cost of the dress, travel, and lodging, I won’t be able to use the professional service and will be more comfortable doing my hair and makeup. Let me know if you have inspiration photos, and I can practice the look you’re going for’ … [Or you could say] ‘The service provider you listed is outside of my budget, but I’d be happy to find something that fits within my budget’ … You could even be a little more to the point and say, ‘The cost for hair and makeup you shared is out of my budget. I’m happy to do my own hair and makeup.’” [Courtney Opalko] Featured Expert Courtney Opalko Certified etiquette coach and owner of [Courtney Opalko Etiquette]( [tell us] Which etiquette question should an expert answer next week? [My sister recently confided she got bad Botox, and I didn’t know what to say when she asked if I agreed. Is there a way to answer her truthfully, or is it better to just lie?]( [One of my close friends regularly asks me to watch her dog, for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. I was happy to help at first, but it’s become so frequent that I feel like her dog sitter — without the pay. How do I bring this up to her?]( [A few weeks ago, my friend got divorced, and I meant to reach out — but I completely blanked. Is it too late now? If not, should I acknowledge and apologize for the delay, or will that make it more awkward?]( [skimm picks] Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently. 1. 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(Trust us, we’re still trying.) You can play alone, as a team, or competitively against your frenemies 😈. [We’ll see you on the leaderboard](. [Icons of different Puzzmo Games]( THESKIMM: HERE'S WHAT'S NEXT theSkimm helps you tackle your to-do lists, whether you're refinancing your loans or choosing a daycare for the first time. We talk to experts and real women to empower you to make decisions faster and with more confidence. [Check out our guides to get started](. PS: Your feedback makes a big impact. Let us know what you like, what could be improved, and most importantly, if we helped you get sh*t done. [Share your thoughts](. Have a book, recipe, or travel rec? Or, a dicey etiquette question you want answered by an expert? Submit them [here](. Skimm’d by: Melissa Goldberg, Alex Carr, Margaret Wheeler Johnson, and Niven McCall-Mazza --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Flatiron Books. Kirsten Kilpatrick, From Dinner Tonight by Alex Snodgrass. Copyright © 2023 by The Defined Dish LLC. Reprinted by permission of William Morrow Cookbooks, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Christian Adams via Getty Images. S. Greg Panosian via iStock. Viktor Cvetkovic via Getty Images. Courtesy of Courtney Opalko, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to all theSkimm has to offer](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram Icon]( [Tik Tok Icon]( [Linkedin Logo]( [Twitter icon]( [Facebook icon]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? 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