Eat, Read, Go: Roasted Cauliflower Date Salad, "The Dream Hotel," and the Dolomites

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. Thanks to a couple of 60-degree days this week, the vibes in NYC have been elite. But warmer temps aren’t the only thing giving me a mood boost. So has: 

• Michelle Obama revealing her biggest pet peeve about her husband (leave it to her to keep it 100). 

• Joan Baez dancing with reckless abandon to Cypress Hill’s “Hits From the Bong” (she’s got moves). 

• These decadent “cake nails” (they’re so realistic, you might think they’re edible).

• The new trailer for Freakier Friday, which is somehow even better than what I’d imagined. (Yes, Chad Michael Murray’s still got it.)

Oh, and one other thing, Skimm+ is here to make your life easier — meaning, more perks, helpful tools, and a community of like-minded Skimmr’s to back you up — so join the waitlist now.

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

This Protein-Packed Roasted Cauliflower Date Salad Is Truly Unmatched 

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Apologies to the “Cucumber Guy,” but sometimes you need to eat an entire cauliflower — particularly when it’s Plant-Based RD’s Roasted Cauliflower Date Salad. In this protein-packed recipe, spiced florets and chickpeas are roasted until golden, combined with a sautéed date-shallot mixture, and smothered in a garlicky chive-tahini dressing for a culinary masterpiece that’s equal parts light and rich, sweet and savory, tender and crunchy. Fold in some cooked grains for a meatless main or pair it with your favorite protein — and either way, you’ll want to eat it over and over (speaking from experience).

The Time Commitment: About 50 minutes. But to save time — and energy — use precut cauliflower from the store. 

Key Tips: For the crispiest chickpeas, Catherine Perez (aka Plant-Based RD) recommends drying them in a kitchen towel post-rinse and letting them cool on the pan after baking. Also, if you’re sensitive to spice, remove the Fresno pepper’s seeds and membranes or swap it for something milder, like a bell pepper.

Other Takes: This crave-worthy Spoon Salad is — you guessed it — meant to be eaten with a spoon, so you can easily scoop up the teeny, tiny pieces of halloumi, cauliflower, and farro. Not quite ready for Salad-for-Dinner Season? This one-skillet Creamy Cauliflower Pasta With Pecorino Bread Crumbs is basically an elevated version of macaroni and cheese, while this Cauliflower Shawarma With Spicy Tahini is a low-lift, vegetarian twist on the classic street food — which must be served with the fluffiest pita you can find. Finally, there’s a good chance that you’ll like this deliciously sticky General Tso’s Cauliflower even better than the real thing.

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

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If you thought The Handmaid’s Tale was…thought-provoking, brace yourself for Laila Lalami’s The Dream Hotel (buy it here). The riveting dystopian novel is set in a not-too-distant future, in which the Risk Assessment Administration (RAA) uses data — including one’s dreams — to determine if people are likely to commit a crime. That’s how museum archivist Sara Hussein ends up being detained by RAA agents, who conclude she’s in danger of harming her husband and must be observed at a “retention” center for 21 days. But as Sara and her fellow retainees quickly learn, every minor infraction extends their stay — and proving their innocence is virtually impossible in a system that raises big questions about surveillance, technology, and power. We asked the Pulitzer Prize finalist a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s one thing everyone needs to watch?

Lalami: Severance. I have a pretty good theory about what the big mystery is, and I can’t wait to see if I got it right.

Q: What’s something you’ve recently read that you can’t stop thinking about?

Lalami: I’m in the middle of Jacqueline Harpman’s I Who Have Never Known Men, the story of a young woman who, with 39 others, is held in an underground bunker. It’s an intriguing look at memory, community, and control.

Q: What’s one thing you can’t stop listening to?

Lalami: [Kendrick Lamar’s] “Not Like Us” — even though I’ve listened to it a million times.

These Italian Destinations Deserve More Than a Little Commotion

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The Amalfi Coast. Tuscany. Lake Como. Italy is full of fan-favorite vacation spots, but there’s another region that needs to be on your radar: the Dolomites. This picturesque mountain range in the northeastern Italian Alps is a paradise for adventurers — and the best way to experience it is in a car with Italian DNA in every detail, like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV. Ciao. 

⛰️ Just over two hours from Venice is the Dolomites’ most iconic landmark — the Three Peaks — where you can hike and take in jaw-dropping mountain views. Then head to the nearby ski village of Cortina d’Ampezzo, where you can enjoy an unforgettable meal at Michelin-starred SanBrite and check into the Rosapetra Spa Resort for a little R&R. 

​​🚠 History buffs, this one’s for you. Head two hours west to The Marmolada (aka the Queen of the Dolomites) to ride the cable car to The Museum of the Great War and Sacred Monumental Area. Time your visit perfectly and you’ll be able to catch a postcard-worthy sunset just below the highest peak of the Italian Alps.

🏨 If you’re a sucker for a charming European town, you won’t want to miss the cobbled streets and craft shops in Ortesei, an hour’s drive from The Marmolada. The saunas at Chalet Hotel Hartmann, a cozy, adults-only luxury hotel just outside the pedestrian center, are ideal for unwinding and the rustic ambience, extensive wine list, and fresh pasta at Tubladel make it a must-try. 

Italy is calling — and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV is ready to be your tour guide. No matter what twists and turns your travels bring, it’ll get you there in style. See for yourself.*

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

Q: I’d like to invite a few work friends that I’m close with to my birthday party, but I’m worried about other colleagues finding out and feeling hurt. What should I do?

“It’s absolutely acceptable to invite who you want to your birthday party … [That said], it’s important to be mindful of how others may feel if [they’re not included]. I wouldn’t have conversations at the office about the event or broadcast that I was only asking certain people. I’d also add a nice disclaimer [to the invite, like]: ‘There are parameters around how many people I’m able to include, and I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. So if we could talk about this outside of work and be mindful of what we’re posting on social media, [that’d be appreciated].’ 

… You [could also celebrate with] your colleagues in some other way … whether it’s bringing donuts the morning of your birthday or ordering lunch, so nobody feels excluded.”

FEATURED EXPERT:

Mariah Grumet Humbert

Etiquette trainer and founder of Old Soul Etiquette

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.