Eat, Read, Go: Caramelized Onion Dip, "Victorian Psycho," and the North Shore

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. I don’t know about you, but I’m still not over St. Vincent’s vintage Armani-inspired look from the Grammys. As for what else gave me a serotonin boost this week: Julia Fox’s colorful “chewing gum” minidress (it’s delightfully chaotic), the imminent return of my favorite McDonald’s beverage (it rivals their Diet Coke), Emma Roberts’s Little Mermaid-coded hair transformation (her aunt must be incredibly flattered), and the fact that Gen Z is now channeling this millennial icon (nope, it’s not Carrie Bradshaw). But absolutely nothing will top Ben Affleck wearing a Juicy Couture sweatsuit (yes, actual JC) in his latest Dunkin’ commercial. JLo’s impact has no bounds.

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

Forget the Big Game — This Caramelized Onion Dip Takes the Trophy

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We might not be able to explain the particulars of tomorrow’s big game (luckily, we have theSkimm’s sports podcast, Well Played, for that). But one thing we do know is snacks. And nothing tops this Caramelized Onion Dip from cookbook author and GrossyWorld creator Dan Pelosi. Likened to “French onion soup meets French onion dip,” this gloriously gooey dish combines melty caramelized onions with a rich, tangy mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, Gruyère, and all sorts of savory seasonings. Serve it alongside crusty bread, crinkly chips, and colorful crudités or eat it straight from the skillet with a spoon — and, either way, it’ll be the talk of the party…after whatever Taylor is wearing, obviously.

The Time Commitment: About an hour and a half. Though half of that time is spent caramelizing the onions, so they get that sweet taste and jammy texture — which, we promise, is worth the effort.

Key Tips: The key to caramelizing onions is cooking them low and slow. If you try to speed up the process by increasing the heat, they’ll likely burn. Also, avoid slicing the onions too thin — you want each strip to be about 1/4-inch thick.

Other Takes: For more ways to level up your Super Bowl spread, this Hot Pickle and Cheese Cracker Dip is bright, briny, and — most important — topped with crushed Cheez-Its, while these Chili’s-inspired Southwestern Egg Rolls are crunchy on the outside and filled with spiced chicken and cheese on the inside. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention what is arguably the world’s best party app: Chicago-style Pigs in a Blanket, featuring pickled peppers and a special dipping sauce. Finally, if you thought we made it all this way and forgot about nachos, well, of course not. These White Chicken Chili Nachos take 20 minutes to assemble and are layered with tender white beans and zesty salsa verde.

Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito

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Hell hath no fury like a killer-pretending-to-be-a-governess seeking revenge. At least, that’s the case in Virginia Feito’s Victorian Psycho, described as a mix of Fleabag and A Christmas Carol — but with a menacing twist. Set in 19th-century England, this darkly funny thriller follows Winifred Notty, a newly hired governess at the Pounds family estate, who arrives prepared to tutor the family’s spoiled young charges. As she endures the family’s awful behavior — Mr. Pounds’s creepy glances, Mrs. Pounds’s resentment — Winifred’s sinister past resurfaces. With a plot like that, no wonder the novel is already being adapted into a feature film, starring Margaret Qualley. We caught up with Feito to ask her a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s the last thing you read that you can’t stop thinking about?

Feito: Come Closer by Sara Gran. It’s pretty haunting and I wasn’t expecting it to hit me as hard as it did.

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

Feito: Ottessa Moshfegh’s Substack. What a wonderfully weird space.

Q: What’s the one thing you can’t leave the house without?

Feito: Regret.

Oahu’s North Shore Is the Magical Oasis You Didn’t Know Existed

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With its vibrant city life, renowned historical sites, and stunning shorelines, it should come as no surprise that Oahu is Hawaii’s most popular island. And while most visitors stay in Honolulu, locals swear the fabled North Shore, located just an hour away, is the true gem. Known as the “surfing capital of the world,” this blissfully less-crowded oasis boasts laid-back surf towns, charming coastal cottages, miles of gorgeous beaches, plenty of outdoor activities, and an impressive food scene. But, honestly, the spectacularly scenic drives (pro tip: always take the HI-83 route) are worth the trip alone.

🛏 Heads up: While the North Shore has an abundance of cottage rentals and Airbnbs, there aren’t nearly as many resorts. That said, if you’re a Hotel Person™, check out Courtyard Oahu North Shore. Conveniently located minutes from several top attractions, the affordable and kid-friendly property offers newly renovated island-style rooms, complimentary ukulele and lei-making lessons, a picture perfect pool (think: chic cabanas, a rocky waterfall, lawn games), and kayak, surfboard, and stand-up paddleboard rentals.

🌺 Sure, the North Shore is known for its surfing, but equally notable are its history and culture. Spend an afternoon wandering around Haleiwa’s colorful wooden buildings, which are a nod to the community’s humble beginnings as a sugar plantation, but now house lively boutiques (don’t miss Maui Divers Jewelry), cafes, and art galleries. Also, make sure to visit the 1,875-acre Waimea Valley, which includes over 5,000 species of plants, sacred archaeological sites (like shrines and burial caves), and a short paved path that leads to the wondrous Wailele Falls.

🌊 Now, for the reason you’re really here: the beaches. You can’t go wrong with a combo of Shark’s Cove (known for its crystal-clear water and snorkeling), Laniakea Beach (for spotting Hawaiian green sea turtles sunbathing on the sand), and Mokuleia Beach, which famously served as the backdrop for the first season of Lost. But no trip to Oahu is complete without watching some of the world’s best surfers take on the legendary Banzai Pipeline at Ehukai Beach. And if you want to learn to hang 10, head to North Shore Surf Girls.

🍴 Acai bowls may have started in Brazil, but they’re a local favorite in Hawaii — so begin your day at Haleiwa Bowls. For lunch, make your way to Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill to feast on the grilled local catch with a side of fantastic ocean views. Feeling fancy? For dinner, make a reservation at Alaia — located in the luxury Ritz-Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay resort — to try elevated Hawaiian comfort food like furikake-crusted ahi and lobster curry. Or, head to Beach House, where James Beard Award-winning chef Roy Yamaguchi serves up miso black cod, beef short ribs, and more California-French-Japanese dishes.

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

Q: I love spending time with my sister-in-law — but she shows up late for everything. I know she has a lot on her plate, so how can I let her know I’m feeling disrespected, without starting a confrontation?

“Invite your sister-in-law over or take her out to lunch. Tell her in a very kind, respectful manner that her tardiness is affecting your relationship. Let her know you love her and value [your] bond, but it’s wearing on you to always have to wait for her. Be proactive and to the point, and tell her that you want to set some clear boundaries because it means a great deal to you that you both [arrive] at the time you agreed on. If you don’t speak up, it’s going to build resentment.”

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.