Eat, Read, Go: Cheesy Enchilada Skillet, "Entitlement," and Willamette Valley

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. Tomorrow marks the first official day of fall, and as a lifelong summer-hater (sorry), I couldn’t be more thrilled. To kick off my favorite season — and help me embrace my “dark feminine energy” — I’ll be adding a few new staples to my closet: the ultimate French “it” girl bag (a stark departure from the stuffed animal accessories that dominated London Fashion Week), a pair of Zoë Kravitz’s “quietly cool sneakers,” and an Avril Lavigne-inspired striped necktie, which is making a surprisingly chic comeback. Speaking of nostalgic resurgences, I might even consider getting a “indie sleaze” manicure this weekend. Fingers crossed it doesn’t cost $120, which is apparently the going (if not starting) rate in many places.

— Taylor Trudon / Writer, Culture & Lifestyle / Brooklyn, NY

Win Game Day — Or, Any Day — With This Easy, Cheesy Enchilada Skillet

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Despite the fact that we have no authority to do so, we’re introducing a new category of meals: Football Food That Doubles As Dinner. One of our MVPs? This Comforting Portobello, Poblano, and Pepper Jack Cheese Enchilada Skillet from Monique Volz, food blogger and author of The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook. Instead of all the tricky stuffing and rolling, this no-fuss recipe takes more of a throw-everything-in-the-skillet approach, combining tender portobello mushrooms, smoky poblano peppers, sweet corn kernels, gooey pepper Jack cheese, and a rich enchilada sauce. The result? In the words of Volz, “one delicious hot mess.” Touchdown.

The Time Commitment: Forty minutes. But if you want to cut back on time — and ingredients — use a store-bought enchilada sauce. We promise, no one will know.

Key Tips: We firmly believe you can never have too many toppings, so whip up a batch of Volz’s homemade guac and Spicy Cilantro Yogurt Sauce, which is creamy, zesty, and well worth the extra five minutes. Also, to make this dish even heartier, serve it with a side of Cilantro Rice and dressed-up Canned Black Beans.

Other Takes: Thanks to the internet, there’s an endless supply of one-skillet wonders. A few favorites: these Skillet Shrimp Chilaquiles (a grown-up version of nachos), this Cheesy Pork and Tomatillo Skillet (a reminder that you can and should eat dip for dinner), and this Date-Me Chicken, which is a riff on the viral Marry Me Chicken, involving, lemons, shallots, and, yes, dates. Speaking of riffs, this Easy Skillet Lasagna has everything you love about the Italian classic (namely, frilly-edged noodles and comforting vibes), with minimal fuss. And while you could order a pie for dinner, why bother when you can make your own Stovetop Skillet Pizza in even less time?

Entitlement by Rumaan Alam

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Rumaan Alam has a knack for examining the intersection of money, race, and status (see: the bestselling book-turned-Netflix-movie Leave the World Behind) and his fourth novel is no exception. Entitlement follows Brooke, a 33-year-old Black former public school teacher who takes a job that she believes will make a real difference: working for an 83-year-old white billionaire’s charitable foundation, tasked with giving away his fortune. But it isn’t long before Brooke gets swept up in her boss’s world of decadent meals, classical music performances, and Fifth Avenue apartment views — resulting in some questionable decisions. We asked Alam a few questions. Here’s what he had to say…

Q: If you could be the world’s leading expert on one thing, what would it be?

Alam: Something that pays well.

Q: What should be required reading for every human being?

Alam: I could answer this question differently a million times over. Today I’ll say Jenny Erpenbeck’s Go, Went, Gone.

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

Alam: I don’t like sidewalk dining.

Oregon’s Willamette Valley Is Quietly Becoming the Coolest Wine Destination in the US

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PSA: California’s Napa Valley and Sonoma County aren’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to America’s wine country — even now, during peak harvest season. For a more accessible wine destination, head to Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Extending from Portland to Eugene, the unpretentious region is home to more than 700 wineries (yes, you read that right) and some of the country’s best pinot noir. Plus, you don’t need to be a budding somm to appreciate all that the Pacific Northwest gem has to offer — from taking in misty mountain views to hiking through lush forests where you can literally go chasing waterfalls to exploring quaint towns with buzzy restaurants. And yes, you can do all that with a glass of wine in hand.

🛏 If Gwyneth Paltrow had a Willamette Valley home, we have a feeling it’d look like Inn The Ground. Built into a picturesque hillside, the contemporary bed and breakfast has just nine rooms — each of which has sleek and stylish furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, and its own patio, so you can sip your morning coffee while taking in the stunning pastoral views. The spacious grounds also include eight miles of hiking trails, a sustainable farm, a private pickleball facility, and cozy living and dining areas, where farm-fresh breakfast is served daily.

🍷 We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t tell you to spend a day (or more) visiting some of the top wineries: Eyrie Vineyards, one of area’s oldest wineries, is the ideal primer for the Willamette wine scene; Sokol Blosser Winery is a “sparkling powerhouse” (try the Bluebird Cuvée Brut Sparkling); Soter Vineyards’s co-founder is a legendary winemaker who spent decades in Napa before returning to his home state; Durant Vineyards not only has fantastic rosés and chardonnays, but also 17 acres of olive trees; and Brianne Day’s namesake Day Wines are beyond eclectic (see: the juicy “Lemonade” rosé), in the best way.

🌲 When you’ve had enough wine and need to touch grass, take a day trip to Silver Falls State Park, which some say is “the crown jewel of Oregon’s state park system.” There, you can explore 35 miles of backcountry trails and hike the legendary Trail of Ten Falls, a seven-mile loop that, as the name suggests, takes you past 10 spectacular waterfalls. For something less intense, Molalla River State Park offers a mostly flat three-mile loop, fishing, ferry rides, and an abundance of wildlife. Meanwhile, cyclists should pick up a bike at Mac Bike Rentals and ride part (or all) of the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, a 134-mile stretch that winds through countless vineyards and farms.

🍴 Fuel up for a day of tastings with savory galettes, sourdough croissants, and other homemade pastries at Alchemist’s Jam. (Pro tip: Take some bread and seasonal jam to go, as an emergency snack.) For dinner, head to the town of McMinnville and enjoy the inventive, “new Northwest” dishes (like carrot cavatelli and sesame chicken piccata) at the James Beard-nominated Hayward. Or, visit the town’s main drag, Third Street, to try some local favorites: La Rambla Restaurant & Bar has exceptional tapas and Pizza Capo is popular for its Neopolitan-style pies (do not miss the Valley Special, which regularly changes based on what produce is in season).

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

Q: Whenever we visit my in-laws, they insist we stay at their house, but I’m far more comfortable at a hotel. Is it OK to stay elsewhere?

“For a stay of up to five days, I recommend spending one night with the parents to maintain family bonds. For longer stays, splitting the time [evenly] between a hotel and family can provide a balanced approach … [and] lead to a more enjoyable visit for everyone.

… [If your in-laws are upset], it’s important to both acknowledge their feelings and communicate it’s not fair to place undue pressure on others … You could say, ‘We really appreciate you going out of your way [to host us]. But it’s also a treat for us to stay in a hotel. Since we’re going to be here for five days, why don’t we spend our last night together?’”

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.