Eat, Read, Go: Salmon Tacos With Avocado Crema, "The Compound," and Gothenburg

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. Just when I thought the Labubu craze had peaked, I came across these Louis Vuitton bag charms that look like they crawled out of a haunted toy chest. While I attempt to make peace with this utterly perplexing plush trend, here’s what else broke my brain this week: 

• The ultimate Gen Z Cool Girl accessory isn’t jewelry or designer sunglasses — it’s something you can snag at CVS.

• When it comes to “heatwave dressing,” this is the only shirt you need, apparently. 

• Emma Roberts’s controversial “no shame” vacation confession? Honestly, relatable.

• This aggressively ’90s nail shape is back (thanks, but I’m staying loyal to almond). 

• Forget Sardine Girl Summer — evidently, we’re supposed to be channeling…dolphins now. Good luck out there.

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

These Salmon Tacos are Sweet, Smoky, and Seriously Delicious

theSkimm

If the idea of salmon tacos makes you raise an eyebrow (or two), we get it. But one bite of Dishing Out Health’s Salmon Tacos With Avocado Crema, and you’ll wonder why you ever doubted them. This “100% weeknight-approved” recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort: Instead of frying, the fish gets a sweet-and-smoky spice rub, then broils until the outside is crisp and the inside stays buttery and tender. Pile the salmon onto warm corn or flour tortillas along with pickled red onions, shredded cabbage, and an impossibly good avocado crema — and you’ll have a new front-runner for Taco Tuesday, Wednesday, and beyond.

The Time Commitment: About 40 minutes. But if you buy pickled red onions from the store — or make them the night before — you’ll shave off at least 15 minutes.

Key Tips: While any salmon will work in this recipe, Jamie Vespa (aka Dishing Out Health) recommends asking for a center-cut piece, which will cook more evenly than tail-end pieces. Also, if you’re sensitive to spice, be sure to remove the jalapeño seeds — or ditch the pepper altogether — when making the crema.

Other Takes: For more low-effort, high-reward taco recipes, try… 

• These 30-minute Spicy Shrimp Tacos, which are bold, flavorful, and served with a Mexican elote-inspired slaw that you’ll absolutely want to eat straight from the mixing bowl. 

• Rockin’ Chimichurri Steak Tacos, which are so elite, one commenter declared them “simply the best meal we have had all summer.” Say less.

• Chicken Street Tacos. The chicken’s marinated in a zesty orange-and-lime mix, then topped with a tangy salsa verda and a fresh mango slaw, which takes the dish from “from yummy to restaurant-level.”

The Compound by Aisling Rawle

theSkimm

Just when it seemed like nothing could be more toxic than Love Island, Aisling Rawle’s The Compound said, “Hold my mic pack.” The buzzy debut follows Lily — a discontented twenty-something and one of the 20 hot, young singles cast on a cutthroat reality show at a remote desert compound. The goal? Complete challenges to win various prizes (from essential food and appliances to luxurious makeup and bottles of bubbly), outlast the others, and stay safe from the crumbling world outside. But as the tasks get weirder and more Squid Game-esque, the stakes keep climbing — forcing Lily to decide how far she’ll go for survival. We asked Rawle a few questions about her dark, juicy, and wildly addictive novel. Here’s what she had to say…

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

Rawle: I recently read Augustus by John Williams, and can’t seem to shake it — it’s every bit as poignant and elegant as Williams’s other masterpiece, Stoner.

Q: What’s one thing that makes you laugh without fail?

Rawle: Brittany Broski’s podcast, The Broski Report. She’s both exceptionally quick-witted and wonderfully goofy.

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

Rawle: At any minor inconvenience, I’ll play Hozier singing “The Humours of Whiskey.”

Stockholm Who? This Criminally Underrated Nordic City Is Stealing the Show

theSkimm

If Stockholm is the George Clooney of Sweden, think of Gothenburg as its Timothée Chalamet — the hip, younger brother. On Sweden’s west coast, the country’s second-largest city masterfully blends old and new, fueling its surge in popularity. Hop on an iconic blue-and-white tram to find cobblestone streets lined with trendy boutiques, buzzy eateries, and chic stays like Hotel Pigalle. Don’t miss the Gothenburg Museum of Art, the Botanical Garden, nearby sun-drenched islands, or a Scandi sauna session at world-famous Jubileumsparken — all in one of the world’s most sustainable cities. So, yes, you can feel smug while exploring.

👟 The best way to get a feel for Gothenburg is by wandering. Start in old town, which is surrounded by a zigzagging moat and home to 17th-century brick buildings, jazz bars tucked into alleyways, and the historic Stora Saluhallen food hall. After you’ve had a bite to eat, make your way to Haga, a picturesque neighborhood where you’ll find old-timey wooden houses, cinnamon buns the size of your head, a hilltop fortress (the sweeping views and terrace drinking are worth the climb), and standout shops. Stop at: Lakritsroten for classic licorice; Haga of Sweden for handcrafted souvenirs by local artists; and Tell Me More for earth-toned linens, sleek kitchenware, and rustic-modern home decor.

🛥️ With more than 20 major islands surrounding the Gothenburg archipelago, a day trip to one — or more — is a must. The area is divided into two: the northern islands (like Hönö and Hälsö) are more populated, while the southern islands are car-free and generally quicker to reach — meaning, if you’re short on time, head south. Catch a ferry to Donsö, a quaint fishing community with excellent swim spots and homemade ice cream (don’t leave without a cone from Popsicle café). From there, stroll across the bridge to Styrsö for sandy beaches, windy trails, and a short hike up to Stora Rös (the island’s highest point). Or, visit the southernmost island, Vrångö, to traverse its extensive nature reserve, kayak around rocky shores, and float in calm waters.

🍴 There’s perhaps nothing more Swedish than fika (the national coffee-and-pastry break that’s basically a lifestyle), so swing by Da Matteo to snack on buttery cardamom buns and fresh sourdough bread. Of course, being on the coast means you’re also in prime seafood territory — and nowhere does prawns, langoustines, and mussels better than Sjömagasinet. Craving something more inventive? Book at table at VRÅ, where the Nordic-meets-Japanese menu features scallop skewers, baked cod, and a rotating selection of sashimi (pro tip: save room for the rhubarb sorbet).

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

Q: We live in the same town as my partner’s parents, and we celebrate just about every holiday with them — from Memorial Day to Fourth of July to birthdays. It can feel like a lot, so is there a polite way to bow out sometimes?

“When it comes to in-laws and family gatherings, changing the routine can ruffle feathers — especially when traditions have been in place for years. Instead of suddenly saying, ‘We’re out this year,’ give everyone a heads-up in a warm, matter-of-fact way. Begin with something like, ‘We love our family gatherings, but next [insert holiday], we’re going to start a few new traditions of our own.’ Then, [follow it up with something] clear and specific: ‘We’re booking an Airbnb’ or ‘We’re spending it at home with our dogs.’

You could also offer alternatives: ‘Would anyone be open to celebrating Christmas a week early?’ or ‘Can we do a post–July Fourth barbecue in August? We’re spending the holiday at the beach this year.’ The key is to stay connected while setting gentle boundaries and building your own traditions.”

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.