Eat, Read, Go: Green Chicken Chili, “Rental House,” and Strasbourg

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. Does any other workweek feel longer than the one after Thanksgiving? (This X post says it all.) As a reward, I’ll make a freshly baked, perfectly gooey Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie, which I firmly believe is the key to instantly feeling 20 times better. Speaking of things that have made me smile this week: Martha Stewart fangirling over Rihanna (relatable), the internet’s deep appreciation for Kate Middleton’s “flawless” curtsy (no one does it better), Kris Jenner’s Andy Sachs-inspired ensemble (she’s even wearing the Chanel jacket), and this tribute to some of the early 2000s’ biggest beauty products (honestly, the hold Urban Decay had over me). Inspired, I might try the “ice princess” makeup trend, which is apparently having a moment. Wish me luck.

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

This One-Pot Green Chicken Chili Is the Only Remedy for Cold, Blustery Days

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Consider this our official petition to rebrand chilly weather as chili weather. One spoonful of Isabel Eats’s Green Chicken Chili and you’ll understand why. The weeknight-friendly, one-pot meal is just as warm and comforting as a classic chili, but in a lighter, brighter form — thanks to tender chicken, creamy white beans, and a fresh, tangy mix of jalapeños, green chiles, lime juice, and cilantro. Add in a whole host of toppings (the best part) including sliced avocado, green onions, crispy tortilla chips, and a generous dollop of sour cream — and prepare to be as cozy as Katie Holmes in her massive, fuzzy teddy-bear coat.

The Time Commitment: Just over an hour. But to save time — and energy — Isabel Orozco-Moore (aka Isabel Eats) suggests using store-bought rotisserie chicken and your favorite jarred salsa. Plus, card-carrying members of the Instant Pot Cult can shave off about 20 minutes.

Key Tips: While the recipe calls for cannellini beans, any white or pinto beans will do. Not a fan of spice? Omit the jalapeños and ensure your diced green chiles are labeled “mild.” And to make your chili more “creamy and irresistible,” Orozco-Moore says to stir in four ounces of cream cheese just before serving.

Other Takes: If you’re still craving turkey post-Thanksgiving (how??), you can’t go wrong with this protein-packed Turkey and White Bean Chili — which tastes even better on days 2 and 3. Meanwhile, this Short Rib Chili combines melt-in-your-mouth meat, pickled red onions, and three types of chiles for the “ultimate depth of flavor.” Or consider this Vegetarian Skillet Chili, which leans heavily on pantry staples and comes together in 30 minutes. Finally, this one-pan Cornbread Chili Casserole is part hearty chili, part buttery cornbread, and altogether delicious.

Rental House by Weike Wang

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If you think vacationing with your parents is…a lot, imagine consecutively hosting your parents and your in-laws while on vacation. That special kind of nightmare is exactly what unfolds in Weike Wang’s Rental House. It follows married college sweethearts, Keru and Nate, who invite their families to stay at a Cape Cod beach house, and later, a Catskills bungalow — during which, their wildly different backgrounds become glaringly obvious. Keru, a well-paid consultant, is the daughter of critical, highly driven Chinese immigrants, while Nate, a biology professor, is the son of white, Appalachian, working-class parents who worry about his “elitist” tendencies. A witty analysis of race, class, and culture, Wang’s third novel has been called “compulsively readable,” “a tour de force,” and all-too-relatable. We asked Wang a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s an unpopular opinion you stand by?

Wang: [A mix of] mayonnaise and honey is the best condiment for chicken tenders. 

Q: What’s a corner of the internet you recently discovered?

Wang: I have trouble sleeping (insomnia is terrible), so I’ve been listening to and watching videos of crystal-bowl sound baths.

Q: What’s one thing that’s made you 10% happier?

Wang: Playing the piano. I played throughout adolescence then got sick of it. But I have since picked it back up and am currently trying to learn “Clair de Lune,” which is very hard. I wouldn’t recommend starting there.

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This Exceptionally Charming French City Is the Perfect Winter Wonderland 

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With its half-timbered gingerbread houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and picturesque canals, Strasbourg is basically a fairytale come to life year-round. Yet somehow, the Alsatian city — nestled along France’s border with Germany — becomes even more magical around the holidays, when the self-proclaimed “Capital of Christmas” sets up endless twinkle lights, an ice-skating rink, and its annual Christmas market (one of Europe’s oldest), with over 300 stalls selling trinkets, toys, and lots of mulled wine. And that’s on top of everything else the city offers, including stunning architecture, Michelin-starred restaurants, fantastic museums, and bookshops so impressive (see: L’Oiseau Rare and La Jument Verte), Strasbourg was named the 2024 UNESCO World Book Capital.

🛏 If Hermès opened a hotel, we have a feeling it’d look like Hôtel les Haras. Once home to France’s royal stables, the design-forward property nods to its equestrian past with exposed oak beams, weathered wooden floors, curved leather headboards, and saddle-stitch accents. Plus, it has an equally stylish spa (complete with an indoor pool, Turkish bath, custom-made sauna, and relaxation room) and on-site brasserie serving modern French classics.

🏰 Pack plenty of warm clothes — because the best way to soak up the city’s rich culture and history is by wandering around the infinitely charming streets. Make sure to stop at: the UNESCO-listed Grande Île, known as the “heart of local life”; the extravagant, 18th-century Palais Rohan, now the site of museums devoted to archaeology, decorative arts, and fine arts; Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame cathedral, a gothic masterpiece that includes exquisite stained-glass windows, a towering astronomical clock, and striking panoramic views; and the quaint Petite France neighborhood, where you can stop at a cafe, pop into shops, and stroll along the canals. 

🍴 You can’t visit Strasbourg without sampling some of the city’s signature dishes, so swing by Porcus to try choucroute garnie (think: mounds of sauerkraut, topped with pork and sausage) and Mama Bubbele for tartes flambées — aka Alsatian pizza — featuring toppings both classic (sour cream, onions, and bacon) and creative (smoked salmon, dill, and arugula). And for other traditional dishes, grab a table at the 151-year-old Chez Yvonne, one the city’s most beloved winstubs — essentially, a wine bar-pub hybrid. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something more elevated, all of the tasting menus at Michelin-starred 1741 are worth the splurge.

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

Q: I’m traveling with my toddler and am nervous about disrupting others on our flight. What’s the best etiquette for dealing with potentially annoyed passengers?

“Plan ahead. The most critical times for toddlers are takeoff and landing, mainly because the cabin pressure … [can affect their] ears … [It’s also] a time when everyone has to be in their seats … during which toddlers can get very antsy, so [bring] an arsenal of games and snacks.

[Generally], people are fairly patient with parents traveling with toddlers, as long as they know the parents are doing everything [they can] to keep the child content … If someone has an issue, just apologize and say, ‘We don’t travel much with our child, and we really appreciate your patience.’ [Also, if you need help], ask a flight attendant — they see this all the time. It’s OK to ask for water, juice, or something else [they can drink, which can] help unclog their ears during takeoff and landing. Or, if you forgot something, there’s usually a remedy.”

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