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Manjar Blanco (White Pudding)

By
Samuel
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0
Three cups full of a white pudding with red pomegranate seeds on top.

Manjar Blanco (White Pudding), or Blancmange, is not a contemporary dessert. It’s actually in cookbooks from the tenth century, often with the addition of sugar, saffron, and even chicken. It resembles malabi, the famous creamy-jelly dessert commonly found today throughout the Middle East. Cassava starch, also known as tapioca flour, can thicken or jellify certain recipes. This root has been consumed since at least 2500 BCE in Latin America (Peru), and utensils for grating cassava tubers have been found in Mexico (Tehuacán and Tamaulipas) dating back to the first millennium BCE. It is possible that the Manjar Blanco prepared by crypto-Jews to celebrate Sukkot may have also used cassava starch for a thickener.  

Two glasses of white pudding, manjar blanco, with pomegranate seeds everywhere.
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Three cups full of a white pudding with red pomegranate seeds on top.

Manjar Blanco (White Pudding)

  • Author: Hélène Jawhara-Piñer
Print Recipe

Description

Taking it back to the early ages of dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the pudding:

  • 1 tsp agar powder + ¼ cup almond milk
  • 1 short cinnamon stick
  • 3 cups almond milk
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • ½ tsp rose water
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the toppings: 

  • Mexican Pinon nuts, toasted (you can use pine nuts as a substitute)
  • 2 matzah toffee sheets, broken into chunks
  • Preserved orange, sliced
  • 6 tbsp pomegranate syrup (1 tbsp per glass); you can add fresh seeds as well
  • 2 apricots, cut into quarters

Instructions

  1. Place six small crystal glasses on a tray.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the agar powder and the ¼ cup almond milk.
  3. Place the cinnamon stick and sugar in a pan and pour over the remaining 3 cups of almond milk. Stir, and bring to a boil.
  4. Once the almond milk is boiling, pour in the agar mixture and lower the heat. Stir constantly for about 3 minutes. Add the rose water and vanilla. It will thicken slightly but look runnier while it’s hot. As it cools down it will thicken more.
  5. Remove the cinnamon stick and pour the manjar blanco into the glasses; try to avoid touching the edges. Let them cool at room temperature without moving them.
  6. Once they are cooled, you can place them in the fridge for a firmer consistency (or if you’d prefer it chilled, which is recommended).
  7. Decorate the top of the manjar blanco with any of the toppings and serve.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Recipes appear in Jawhara-Piñer’s books, Matzah and Flour: Recipes from the History of the Sephardic Jews, and Sephardi: Cooking the History. Recipes of the Jews of Spain and the Diaspora, from the 13th Century to Today. To dig deeper into Jewish food history, read Jawhara-Piñer’s Jews, Food, and Spain: The Oldest Medieval Spanish Cookbook and the Sephardic Culinary Heritage. 

Recipe and Story by Hélène Jawhara-Piñer 
Food Styling and Preparation by Julia Platt Leonard
Photography by Gabriella Marks 

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Salomón De Machorro’s Fish Tacos 

By
Samuel
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0
Three fish tacos in hard shells with purple slaw and tomatoes.

These Fish Tacos take their inspiration from an ages old story. The link between corn tortillas to the culinary heritage of Mexico is undeniable, since pre-Colombian times already had tortillas aplenty. In 1642, Salomón de Machorro (aka Juan de León, famous for his travels and knowledge of Judaism) was denounced by Catalina de Rivera for having consumed corn tortillas with fish and vegetables with his friends for Passover. This dish is a tribute to the intrepid Señor de Machorro. 

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Three fish tacos in hard shells with purple slaw and tomatoes.

Salomón De Machorro’s Fish Tacos 

  • Author: Hélène Jawhara-Piñer
Print Recipe

Description

Make your tortillas from scratch too…

Ingredients

Scale

For the dough:

  • 2 cups masa harina
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • 1⅓ cup hot water
  • 1 tsp olive oil

For the fish and sauce:

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 1 red onions, sliced very thinly
  • ½ lb fresh white fish, cut into bite-size cubes
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped chives
  • Sliced radish, purple cabbage, and green onions, optional

Instructions

For the dough:

  1. To make the dough, mix corn flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and the hot water and mix with a spoon until all the water is absorbed.
  2. Make golf ball-sized dough balls (1⅛ oz each). Let them rest on a plate for 20 minutes, covered so they do not dry.
  3. To flatten and cook the tortillas, you can use a tortilla press if you have one: remember to put the dough ball between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic so it does not stick to the press. Place it in the center of the bottom part of the press, then open it and carefully, and with the palm of your hand remove the tortilla from the parchment sheet. If you don’t have a tortilla press, you can use the bottom of a heavy saucepan and press down hard. Again, do not forget the parchment paper!
  4. Cook in a preheated (medium-high heat) nonstick skillet for 20 seconds. Then flip the tortilla over and cook the other side for 20 more seconds. Repeat the operation once more until the tortilla has golden-brown marks. Keep the tortillas in a plastic bag, not completely closed, while you make the filling.

For the fish and sauce:

  1. Put half of the olive oil, garlic, and red onion in a frying pan. Cook for 10 minutes on low-medium heat until golden.
  2. Remove the onions from the pan and set aside. Add the rest of the olive oil and once warm, add the fish Cook until almost done and then add the lime juice. Add salt and black pepper. Cover the frying pan and cook on a low heat for 5 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle with the chopped fresh cilantro and chives.
  4. Fill the corn tortillas with the delicious fish and the juices and enjoy.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Recipes appear in Jawhara-Piñer’s books, Matzah and Flour: Recipes from the History of the Sephardic Jews, and Sephardi: Cooking the History. Recipes of the Jews of Spain and the Diaspora, from the 13th Century to Today. To dig deeper into Jewish food history, read Jawhara-Piñer’s Jews, Food, and Spain: The Oldest Medieval Spanish Cookbook and the Sephardic Culinary Heritage. 

Recipe and Story by Hélène Jawhara-Piñer 
Food Styling and Preparation by Julia Platt Leonard
Photography by Gabriella Marks 

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Passover Indian Wheat and Herb Crackers

By
Samuel
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0
A picture of small Passover crackers in a muffin tin beside fresh produce.

A botanical text written in the 16th century by the Spanish converso, doctor, physician and botantist Francisco Hernandez called History of the Plants of New Spain, mentions maize (corn), which he calls “Indian Wheat” and tortillas which he calls “Pan de Indias” (Indian Bread). He found the process of nixtamalization (corn soaked in an alkaline solution, cooked, and hulled, in order to increase its nutritional value), a process used in 16th century in Mexico to get the best tortillas. Salsa verde was already consumed before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 15th century, making this dish of Passover Indian Wheat and Herb Crackers with Salsa Verde one with deep historic roots.  

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A picture of small Passover crackers in a muffin tin beside fresh produce.

Passover Indian Wheat and Herb Crackers

  • Author: Hélène Jawhara-Piñer
  • Yield: Serves 4
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Description

An ode to a historical recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

For the crackers:

  • ½ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp celery leaves, chopped
  • ½ cup arugula leaves, chopped
  • ½ cup masa harina
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ cup masa harina (to flour the parchment paper)
  • 1 tsp coarse salt (to sprinkle)
  • 1 tsp chili flakes (to sprinkle)

For the salsa verde:

  • 5 Mexican green tomatillos with husks
  • 5 green chiles Serrano or Jalapeño (use regular hot green chili for substitution)
  • 3 garlic cloves, unpeeled
  • 2 tsp salt
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro and/or parsley, roughly chopped

Instructions

For the crackers:

  1. Preheat oven to 310 degrees.
  2. Combine all ingredients except for the coarse salt and the chili flakes and put the ball of dough in a plastic bag and freeze for 10 minutes.
  3. Flour a piece of parchment paper with corn flour, place the dough in the middle, and flour the top of the dough. Place another parchment paper over the dough.
  4. Roll the dough out between the two sheets of parchment paper until the dough is thin (about a tenth of an inch), and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
  5. Place the parchment paper with dough on top of a baking tray. Remove the top parchment paper and sprinkle the dough with the chili flakes. Press carefully with a rolling pin or with your hands so the flakes stick to the dough.
  6. Use a cookie cutter to cut the dough into cracker shapes. They can be round or square. Do not remove them from the parchment paper. Sprinkle with the coarse salt.
  7. Bake for 20-30 minutes and then broil for 3 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.
  8. Let cool for 10 minutes before separating the crackers.

For the salsa verde:

  1. Heat an iron skillet to medium-high heat and sear the tomatillos, chiles, and garlic cloves for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally. Set aside.
  2. Remove the husks from the tomatillos. They should be soft to the touch.
  3. Take a blender or, better, a molcajete (or a mortar), and grind the cloves of garlic (without their peel) with the chiles until it forms a paste. Add the salt and half of the chopped cilantro/parsley and half of the charred tomatillos.
  4. Grind for a minute or two. Add the other half of the tomatillos and keep grinding, but not too much; you do not want a homogeneous paste. Add the remaining chopped herbs and stir.
  5. Pour in a bowl if ready to use, or in a sealed jar and store in the fridge.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Recipes appear in Jawhara-Piñer’s books, Matzah and Flour: Recipes from the History of the Sephardic Jews, and Sephardi: Cooking the History. Recipes of the Jews of Spain and the Diaspora, from the 13th Century to Today. To dig deeper into Jewish food history, read Jawhara-Piñer’s Jews, Food, and Spain: The Oldest Medieval Spanish Cookbook and the Sephardic Culinary Heritage. 

Recipe and Story by Hélène Jawhara-Piñer 
Food Styling and Preparation by Julia Platt Leonard
Photography by Gabriella Marks 

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

The Castellanos’ Lamb and Lettuce Stew with Unsalted Bread 

By
Samuel
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0
A bowl full of lamb and lettuce stew with strips of fried matzah around it.

The Castellanos family lived in Mexico City in the 16th century and observed Passover more than other Jewish holidays. Christian Holy Week and Passover usually fall close to one another, so the crypto-Jewish traditions of the Americas reflect a mix between Jewish practices and Christian ones. Back in Portugal, the Castellanos would have used chard but in the new world, substituted lettuce instead. The Castellanos ate this Lamb and Lettuce Stew with unsalted and unleavened bread.

Nowadays, we can still point to crypto-Jewish traditions that have endured through the centuries. In The International Review of Jewish Genealogy by Burqueño Edwin Berry explains that he “recalls his mother making what he says resembled unleavened bread once a year around Lent. It was like a long biscuit, and it was eaten only a few days of the year.” (See Secrecy and Deceit, by D. Gitlitz). This is an echo of the habits of the Castellanos and other crypto-Jewish families of the Spanish colonial era.

Eating lamb at Passover was also a custom among crypto-Jews in Mexico, as Salomón de Machorro (aka Juan de Leon) told Inquisitors in 1642.

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A bowl full of lamb and lettuce stew with strips of fried matzah around it.

The Castellanos’ Lamb and Lettuce Stew with Unsalted Bread 

  • Author: Hélène Jawhara-Piñer
Print Recipe

Description

Warm up your soul and your stomach.

Ingredients

Scale

For the lamb:

  • 1 lb boneless lamb, shoulder or leg, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 2–3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 head of lettuce (butter or green leaf), washed and chopped
  • 1–2 tbsp honey
  • ½ cup raisins
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, to garnish
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, to garnish
  • Matzah strips, to garnish

For the matzah:

  • 1 cup white wheat flour
  • 1½ cup masa harina
  • ½ cup + 2 tbsp cold water
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

For the lamb:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the cubed lamb, ginger, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper.
  2. Place in a bowl, cover, and refrigerate.
  3. The next day, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté gently until golden brown. Remove the onion mixture and set aside
  4. Add the lamb mixture and cook, turning the pieces over, until all sides are browned, adding another tablespoon of olive oil if needed.
  5. Add back the onion mixture back and stir to combine with the lamb.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Cook 3-4 hours until the lamb is almost tender. Add the lettuce, raisins, and stir in the honey and cook until the lamb is fully tender and falling apart and the lettuce is wilted. The sauce should be thickened. Taste and add more salt or honey as desired.
  7. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and cilantro. Serve hot with strips of matzah.

For the matzah:

  1. Prepare 2 sheets of plastic wrap that are a little bit larger than the tortilla press. They will be used for the tortilla press to avoid the dough sticking to the tortilla press sides. If you don’t have a tortilla press, you can roll out the dough between sheets of parchment paper.
  2. Mix the two flours. Progressively add the cold water to the flour and stir constantly until the flours absorbs all the water. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes. The dough should be moist to the touch.
  3. If using a tortilla press, cut the dough into 3 pieces and roll into balls the size of ping pong balls.
  4. Open the tortilla press, place a plastic sheet (or parchment paper) on the bottom, a ball of dough in the middle, and cover with the other plastic sheet. Close the tortilla press and press down to flatten the dough. Open the tortilla press and carefully remove the dough from the plastic wrap.
  5. Preheat your nonstick iron skillet to medium-high heat.
  6. Cut the dough into strips about ½ inch wide and lay the strips carefully onto the hot skillet coated with a small amount of oil. Fry the strips for about 15 seconds. Remove and place on a paper towel to drain.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Recipes appear in Jawhara-Piñer’s books, Matzah and Flour: Recipes from the History of the Sephardic Jews, and Sephardi: Cooking the History. Recipes of the Jews of Spain and the Diaspora, from the 13th Century to Today. To dig deeper into Jewish food history, read Jawhara-Piñer’s Jews, Food, and Spain: The Oldest Medieval Spanish Cookbook and the Sephardic Culinary Heritage. 

Recipe and Story by Hélène Jawhara-Piñer 
Food Styling and Preparation by Julia Platt Leonard
Photography by Gabriella Marks 

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Collier’s Cuts: Ryan Gosling Tries to Save the World in ‘Project Hail Mary’

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
Ryan Gosling sits strapped into a spaceship with a pen behind his ear.
Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace in PROJECT HAIL MARY, from Amazon MGM Studios. Photo credit: Jonathan Olley © 2025 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.
A rating and information graphic for Project Hail Mary with an image of the film beside it.

The term “hard science fiction” refers to works of fancy reliant on stringent scientific accuracy. In terms of film, though, the name might as well mean hard to adapt; it’s tricky to be entertaining and scientific at the same time. Yet novelist Andy Weir’s books are hits, and an adaptation worked once, with the 2015 hit The Martian. Now, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have tried to replicate that film’s success with Project Hail Mary.

Project Hail Mary Movie Review

Weir’s work is once again adapted by writer Drew Goddard, who broke through as a television scribe on series including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lost. His screenplay for The Martian got a nomination for an Oscar, a recognition of the considerable task he faced: Turning a dense and technical chronicle of the scientific method in extremis into an adventure film.

With Project Hail Mary, there’s just as much science but considerably more heartache. Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) awakes aboard a spaceship light years removed from the solar system. The induced coma he’s been placed in has kept him alive but, at least temporarily, rendered him without memories of how he got there or what he’s meant to do. His two fellow astronauts were not so lucky; neither survived the journey.

The memories come in flashbacks; in time, Grace remembers the dire task before him. An unknown organism that seems to be eating the sun poses a threat to Earth. One distant star seems immune; Grace’s ship is to figure out why and send instructions for survival back home. As he begins trying to understand the alien system around him, he spies something.

A Ringing Endorsement of Humanity

I had a powerful reaction to Project Hail Mary; it was a jarring reflection of humankind’s flaws and potential. It celebrates our intellectual prowess while acknowledging the limitations of our understanding; it depicts our capacity for bravery while admitting our tendency toward fear; it champions our ability to cooperate without denying our collective chaos.

If you haven’t seen the trailers for Project Hail Mary, I won’t spoil what Grace finds on that other ship; the revelation is too delightful. I will say, however, that I expected a somewhat somber epic — a sort of interstellar Old Man and the Sea. Instead, I got a funny (and occasionally even whimsical) adventure.

Gosling is the perfect vessel for such a journey, of course, but the triumph is in the tale. This has all the truth of a real-life account combined with the imagination of the most speculative fiction, sitting somewhere near the intersection of Apollo 13 and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Beauty and Breathtaking Imagery, Far From Home

The film’s visuals are stunning; Lord and Miller, who have frequently co-written films but not directed together since the 2014 comedy 22 Jump Street, demonstrate a surprising ability to depict and convey cosmic wonder. The credit for such visions should also go to production designer Charles Wood — who has experience developing alien worlds in Marvel pictures such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Endgame — and Oscar-winning cinematographer Greig Fraser, who somehow found time to shoot this amid his work on the Dune films.

Dazzling images alone don’t make a classic, however — a fact demonstrated by a hundred hollow sci-fi splendors. Project Hail Mary reaches the very heights of the genre not on what remarkable vistas it shows us but rather on its insights and impact. If your eyes are dry throughout Project Hail Mary, I don’t think you’re paying attention. It’s a stirring film and an immediate entry into the science fiction canon.

They Gave Ready or Not 2 the Proper Subtitle, and More Upcoming Movies

Oddly, the two most prominent protagonists at the multiplex this weekend both have the name Grace. The other is a blood-spattered bride played by Samara Weaving, who survived a deadly and demonic game of hide-and-seek in 2019’s Ready or Not.

The sequel, Here I Come, picks up immediately — always a welcome method in the horror genre — as Grace faces more problems. If she thought that offing her Satanic in-laws solved her dilemma, she was wrong; she must now face a global supply of underworld power brokers, determined to claim power at her expense. Weaving is an underrated and reliable lead, and she’s buoyed by a game supporting cast, including Kathryn Newton, Elijah Wood and Sarah Michelle Gellar. The returns are a bit diminished from the delightful original, but Here I Come is a satisfying bonus chapter for fans of the first film.

If a British television series is successful for long enough, its story will continue in a standalone film. Such is the case with Peaky Blinders, which finally gets a big-screen chapter some 13 years after its first season debuted. Netflix’s Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Manhas popped up unpredictably in select theaters — that’s kind of what they do — but will begin streaming at home this Friday

While the Academy certainly gave him a swift backhand last weekend, you too can defy Timothee Chalamet in fine fashion. Attend an in-theater stream of the Metropolitan Opera’s Tristan und Isolde. A live stream will beam to cinemas around the country on Saturday, with replays scheduled for Wednesday.

Story by Sean Collier
Photos Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Your Astrological New Year Horoscope for Spring 2026

By
Wade Caves
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0
Paper lanterns in a red color for the New Year in China hang from the ceiling with lights inside of them.

Each spring, the sky reaches a moment of balance that marks the beginning of the astrological year. When the Sun arrives at the first degree of Aries – the northern spring equinox – it crosses the celestial equator, and daylight begins to pull ahead of night in the northern hemisphere. Many cultures have long treated this turning of light as the start of a new year, from the Persian Naw Ruz to the traditional Hindu solar new year.

Astrologically, the Sun’s arrival in Aries has long been a major marker. Because the Sun represents leadership and the overall vitality of a community, its entrance into this sign was read as an indicator of the year’s themes. Court astrologers cast this chart when a monarch or head of state came to power, outlining the pressures and opportunities likely to shape their tenure.

But the equinox chart provides a backdrop for the year for us all – a broad pattern that shapes the atmosphere we all move through.

Water Signs and the Year’s Opening Current 

The year opens under a striking trine between Mars and Jupiter, a configuration that tends to move things forward whether we feel ready or not. It sets a current of momentum beneath early-season choices, so the practical question becomes where that energy is best directed. Both planets are in water signs, which orients this surge toward connection, imagination, and activities that deepen our sense of belonging. Creative work that relies on intuition, craft, or emotional intelligence is especially well supported, as are efforts that involve tending to relationships, communities, or shared environments.

With Mars moving through Pisces and Jupiter strong in Cancer, there is also an emphasis on what is hard to capture in plain language. Both the fish and the crab are traditionally described as voiceless creatures, a symbolic reminder that some of the most meaningful developments this spring unfold beneath the surface. That can refer to spiritual insight or emotional renewal, but it also speaks to experiences that can broaden one’s world: travel by water, time spent near coastlines, or adventures that pull us away from familiar terrain. This trine favors movement into richer, more sustaining territory – both inward and outward.

Mercury Hangs in Our Skies Before It Advances

As the year begins, Mercury is stationing direct – appearing momentarily still in the sky as it transitions out of its retrograde phase. This pause is often more noticeable than the retrograde itself. It marks the point where stalled conversations, delayed plans, or unclear information begin to regain definition. Mercury governs how we think, organize, and communicate, and its retrograde period tends to expose weak points in those systems: the plans that need revision, the workflows that no longer do what they were supposed to do, the assumptions that benefit from a second look.

A station direct signals the shift from review to forward movement. It can’t arrive all at once, but the atmosphere becomes easier for decisions, scheduling, and technical problem-solving.

Mercury’s conjunction with the North Node suggests a season for making choices that feel stretching but worthwhile – decisions that pull us toward more constructive patterns in how we speak, listen, and plan. The direct station marks a clean starting point.

Setting a Cooperative and Affirming Tone

Soon after Mercury turns direct, it forms a trine with Jupiter in Cancer, setting a constructive tone for early-season problem-solving and communication. Mercury rules analysis, planning, and the exchange of information; Jupiter broadens perspective and encourages sound judgment. Together, they create a clear window for making decisions, sorting out logistics, and approaching conversations with a steadier, more generous mindset.

Mercury and Jupiter rule opposing signs, which traditionally link them to partnerships, contracts, and any situation that requires two parties to find common ground. Under this configuration, negotiations tend to move more smoothly, stalled discussions can resume, and agreements become easier to formalize.

With Jupiter in Cancer, there is an added emphasis on care, protection, and long-range thinking. Decisions made this spring are likely to prioritize stability and shared benefit rather than short-term convenience. Overall, this aspect creates one of the more cooperative and productive openings of the year, making it an excellent time to recalibrate plans and reconnect with people whose input genuinely matters.

The Sun Shines Over Troubled Waters 

Standing with both Saturn and Neptune is the Sun, a triple conjunction that can set a more subdued tone for public life and leadership. Saturn’s influence leans toward restraint and accountability, often highlighting where systems are strained or where responsibilities have outpaced resources. It encourages steady effort, but it also exposes limits, delays, and the need for clear boundaries. Anyone in a position of authority may feel pressure to deliver results under tighter conditions. 

Neptune’s involvement adds a different challenge. It brings imagination and compassion, but it can also blur lines, soften clarity, or make motives difficult to read. When the Sun meets Neptune, expectations can drift, information may be incomplete, and people may project more than they perceive. The combination with Saturn means the year may open with mixed signals: heightened sensitivity alongside the need for firmer structure. 

Moon on the Star Baten Kaitos, or the Belly of the Whale 

Another theme woven through Saturn and Neptune’s influence involves the movement of people across borders. This year’s chart places the Moon near Baten Kaitos, the star associated with the “belly of the whale,” long linked with forced travel, displacement, and rescue after difficulty. Historically, astrologers noted that this star often reflected circumstances in which individuals or groups were carried from one place to another by pressures outside their control. In a modern context, it often points toward migration, humanitarian strain, and the responsibilities communities share toward those in vulnerable situations. 

International headlines already reflect the complexity of these issues, from dangerous sea crossings to debates over policy and compassion. With this signature so prominent, the collective atmosphere may continue to highlight where support systems are stretched and where empathy is most needed (especially displaced communities). The year will require a steady, humane approach: an awareness of those navigating difficult transitions, and a willingness to consider how communities can extend care rather than turn away. 

Your Zodiac Sign’s Horoscope for Spring 2026’s Astrological New Year

Aries 

Relationships and collaboration come into sharper focus this spring, pulling you toward the people and projects that energize you. Emotional cues will matter more than usual, and your reactions may land with greater force, so tending to your inner landscape early helps everything else move more smoothly. Friendships and group efforts create meaningful avenues for action, though impatience with process or personalities could surface. Aim your initiative toward community work or creative ventures where momentum builds naturally and your instincts lead the way. 

Taurus 

A quieter current will shape the season, inviting you to step back, reflect, and address parts of your inner life that have gone unattended. Acts of compassion or forgiveness could open space for healing, especially around old relationship patterns. Everyday exchanges may broaden your perspective, pointing you toward new skills, writing projects, or long-range plans. Emotions will move subtly but deeply, so boundaries, rest, and private creative work will help you sort through what surfaces. Don’t be afraid to step out of the limelight for a bit – you won’t be forgotten. 

Gemini

A wider perspective will shape your early 2026, drawing you toward study, travel, or the kinds of ideas that stretch your worldview. Sharing what you learn may inspire others, though staying grounded will matter when theories outpace practical application. Friendships and group efforts also take on emotional weight, highlighting where you feel supported and where expectations need adjusting. Professionally, ambition sharpens. Dare to reach for greater responsibility or visibility: steady, disciplined choices will help you build a public presence with purpose and integrity. 

Cancer 

A growing sense of confidence and direction shapes the season, encouraging you to stretch past attitudes that once kept you contained. Professional visibility rises, drawing supportive people and opportunities into your orbit. Because emotions sit close to the surface, your public interactions and ambitions may feel more intertwined than usual, making steady pacing important. Diplomatic, creative approaches carry weight in career matters. Family or parental themes may resurface, asking you to keep both public goals and private needs in view as your influence widens. 

Leo 

As the year starts out afresh, will draw you into deeper emotional territory, prompting you to examine power dynamics around you and the feelings you usually keep protected. Honest exploration will strengthen resilience and support meaningful healing. At the same time, a pull toward travel, study, or larger philosophies will broaden your outlook and reconnect you with curiosity. Encounters with new cultures or ideas may shift long-held beliefs, so pace your reactions. As your horizons widen, you’ll seek both emotional freedom and a clearer sense of what genuinely inspires you. 

Virgo

This season brings sharp focus to work, health, and the daily systems that hold your life together. You’ll spot inefficiencies quickly and may feel compelled to refine routines, paperwork, or wellness habits with greater precision. Deeper emotional currents also rise, offering insight into motivations, power dynamics, and the need to release what no longer supports you. Financial or relational transitions are likely to surface. Friendships and group efforts, however, will open new avenues for growth, drawing you toward collaborations that strengthen your long-term aims and broaden your sense of purpose. 

Libra 

Being a Libra probably means you hear this a lot – still, partnership dynamics define much of the terrain ahead, highlighting the expectations, rhythms, and negotiations that sustain your closest ties. A heightened receptivity helps you read situations with nuance, though shifting moods may color judgment if you move too quickly. Professionally, this is a moment when visibility grows through thoughtful collaboration and consistent effort. Drawing on counsel, sharing credit, and setting clear boundaries will keep things above board. Strong alliances, both personal and professional, create the platform from which meaningful progress emerges. 

Scorpio 

Work, health, and daily structure will carry emotional weight in the early part of 2026, pushing you to streamline routines and put your energy where it genuinely counts. Responsibilities may feel heavier at moments, but small refinements will lead to meaningful progress. At the same time, a surge of creative and romantic drive will urge you toward pleasure, risk, and fuller self-expression; balance will matter. Travel, study, or encounters with unfamiliar perspectives could open your worldview, prompting you to release outdated beliefs and shape a more personally grounded philosophy. 

Sagittarius 

These early green months bring attention to borrowed resources and the deeper emotional patterns that shape how you give, receive, and rely on others. Financial arrangements may become more complex, so careful judgment will matter. At the same time, a surge of creative and romantic energy will pull you toward pleasure, recognition, and fully expressed enthusiasm. Artistic work, time with children, or playful pursuits will feel especially satisfying, though pacing yourself will help you avoid overindulgence. Joy is all around you, provided you match spontaneity with discernment. 

Capricorn 

Spring 2026 will highlight relationships as a source of genuine growth, bringing people into your life who expand your perspective or prompt you to refine your approach. Some bonds may deepen, while longstanding differences can be worked through with steady, constructive conversation. Mentally, you’re shedding patterns that no longer fit, and daily interactions reveal where updates are overdue. Communication may feel weightier for a time. Home and emotional life call for anchoring practices; strengthening routines and support systems will help you move through these transitions with clarity. 

Aquarius 

This spring will encourage a clearer look at your resources, asking you to rely more on your own capabilities than on external supports. Careful budgeting and a reassessment of what can be cut without threatening your long-term goals will help you build steadiness. Emotionally, conversations deepen. Writing, short trips, or exchanges with siblings and neighbors may open space for processing feelings and gaining perspective. Curiosity increases, and your immediate environment becomes a source of harmony and inspiration. As you sort through shifting priorities, everyday connections will offer grounding and, with time, clarity. 

Pisces 

A strong surge of initiative will shape your early 2026, giving you the momentum to start projects, take risks, or assert yourself more directly. This energy can open meaningful paths forward, though impatience or overshooting the mark will be worth watching. Creative and romantic life also grows more vibrant, encouraging joyful self-expression and warmer connections with those closest to you. Financial opportunities or temptations may surface as well. Indulgence has its place, but thoughtful choices will help you turn this heightened drive into lasting gains. 

While you’re here, check out your horoscope for the full moon in April as well!

Horoscope Author

Wade Caves, based in Brooklyn, NY, is an astrological consultant and educator specializing in problem-solving applications of astrology. He teaches astrological divination and astronomy at the School of Traditional Astrology. Wade also publishes his work on world astrology through Skyscript’s In Mundo publishing desk. He even hosts the World Astrology Summit. A conference dedicated to the advancement of astrology for global problem-solving. Website: wadecaves.com • skyscript.co.uk/inmundo. Email: hello@wadecaves.com.

Story by Wade Caves

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Basil Cucumber Spring Equinox Gimlet

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
A green basil and cucumber gimlet in a Nick and Nora glass with half a lime sitting beside it.

This Basil Cucumber Gimlet feels especially fitting for the spring equinox, a moment that marks balance, renewal, and the gentle transition into a brighter season. Its vibrant green hue mirrors the first signs of life returning to gardens and markets, evoking fresh herbs and new growth. The crisp coolness of cucumber pairs effortlessly with the sharp brightness of lime, creating a clean, invigorating taste that feels like a deep breath of spring air. When made with a floral-forward gin, the drink takes on an added layer of softness and complexity, as delicate botanical notes weave through the fresh basil and citrus. Altogether, it becomes a sensory expression of the season’s arrival that’s light, aromatic, and full of quiet energy.

When is the Spring Equinox in 2026?

The spring equinox is whenever the Northern Hemisphere shifts into a point where the sun crosses the equator. It’s on this day that daytime and nighttime are almost equal and the official start of spring begins. This year, 2026, the spring equinox occurs on March 20 specifically at 10:46 a.m. This also shifts the Southern Hemisphere into autumn, the opposite of us in the United States.

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A green basil and cucumber gimlet in a Nick and Nora glass with half a lime sitting beside it.

Basil Cucumber Spring Equinox Gimlet

  • Author: Angela Mazza
Print Recipe

Description

Using a floral-forward gin enhances the fresh basil and bright citrus in this spring cocktail.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 oz gin (floral forward gin recommended)
  • ¾ oz fresh lime juice
  • ¾ oz basil simple syrup
  • 1/2 oz cucumber juice
  • 4 basil leaves

For the basil simple syrup:

  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 10 basil leaves

For the cucumber juice:

  • 1/2 cucumber
  • 1/8 cup water

Instructions

  1. Muddle basil leaves with simple syrup, lime juice and cucumber juice in shaker.
  2. Add gin and ice. Shake and double strain into coupe or Nick and Nora glass.
  3. Garnish with basil leaf and cucumber ribbon and/or edible flower.

For the basil simple syrup:

  1. Bring to simmer to dissolve sugar in water and let cool.

For the cucumber juice:

  1. Blend cucumber with water.
  2. Strain pulp out to get juice. (Water is added just to allow to be more juice like and less thick)

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Recipe by Angela Santucci Mazza
Photography by Dave Bryce

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The Best Martha Stewart-Inspired Recipes to Fill Your Dining Table

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
On a dark plate sits an Apple Crostada inspired by Martha Stewart which is made with a cheddar cheese crust. One slice has been cut out and sits on another plate with a scoop of ice cream on top.

Martha Stewart is the queen of simple but utterly delicious comfort food. Her ability to break down recipes into understandable steps helps even the newest cooks in the kitchen to succeed and we’re taking inspiration to bring you recipes for any occasion.

The Best Martha Stewart Inspired Recipes

We’re taking inspiration and running down our best of the best of Martha-inspired recipes. Whether it’s her oven-ready recipes that need just a mix and an hour inside an oven before they’re ready or lush desserts that make baking oh-so-easy, we take our own spin on recipes that you’ll want to fill your own table with. We even threw a Martha Stewart recipe party of our own at TABLE Studios with our whole staff to show you just how quickly you can turn these recipes into a celebration.

We often find that Martha’s recipes are a great base to build from. She can show you classic proportions and methods, and then you can customize this base with flavors and ingredients that tingle the tastebuds and make these recipes your own. Take our inspiration as your own starting point.

Start Your Mornings with Martha

A Martha Stewart-Inspired Asparagus Leek and Jarlsberg Quiche with a slice taken out of it, sitting on a black plate.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Asparagus, Leek, and Jarlsberg Quiche

Whenever you wake up bright and early in the morning, Martha Stewart may not be on your mind but she should be. In order to get a nutritious start, this Asparagus, Leek, and Jarlsberg Quiche inspired by Martha’s Cheese and Bacon Quiche is the way to go. For this decadent breakfast pastry, we cook shallots, leeks, asparagus, chives, thyme, and Jarlsberg cheese into eggs for a protein kick. Some call it breakfast, some call it brunch, we just call in tasty.

Lunch Recipes for a Full Meal

A sheet pan holds a Focaccia load inspired by Martha Stewart that's slices in half and then has half of one half slices into triangles.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Focaccia

It’s not hard to skip lunch whenever the day feels chaotic and busy, but Martha invites us to slow down and enjoy this moment of our day instead. Her dedication to lunch inspired our homemade Focaccia. This bread is perfectly airy and buttery which means you can use it alongside just about anything. It’s handy for decorating with our Hot Cherry Tomatoes cooked in a seasoned oil.

In a cast iron skiller sits a hot cherry tomato salad with cherry tomatoes and herbs as focaccia bread, cheese, and oil sit off to the side.
A grey bowl full of a Martha Stewart Slow Cooker Tom Kha Gai with leafy greens garnish sits on a green picnic table.
Left: Martha Stewart-Inspired Hot Cherry Tomato Salad, Right: Martha Stewart-Inspired Tom Kha Gai

But you can also try dipping a triangle corner of this bread in a slowcooker Tom Kha Gai recipe that we add a heft of ingredients to for further flavor. Put this soup on to cook the day before and then reheat it along with your Focaccia.

Various light blue and dark blue plates hold different types of focaccia sandwiches like cucumber, cream cheese and salmon, prosciutto, all on a blue and white picnic table.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Focaccia Sandwiches

Or, you could use your new bread making skills to form handheld sandwiches that work well for picnics, school lunches, or really anywhere. Chef Selina Progar, a friend of TABLE, designed Martha-inspired sandwiches that combine unique flavors like Cream Cheese and Salmon, Prosciutto and Cornichon, Ham and Cornichon, Salami and Cucumber, as well as Cucumber Focaccia Sandwiches.

A Family Dinner Like Your Mama Made

One of the things that Martha encourages you to do is gather around the dining table with those you love. Food makes a great centerpiece for conversations and loving energy. Plus, you may just make memories that last a lifetime.

In a skillet pan sits a large servings of pasta with tomatoes, basil, and cheese on top. It all sits on a picnic table with forks and a small container of parmesan underneath the pan.
Martha Stewart-Inspired One Pan Pasta

One-Pan Dinners

If you’re a bit nervous about your skills as a chef, Martha’s one-pan and one-pot dinners make all the difference (a.k.a they’re really hard to mess up). Take this Martha-Inspired One Pan Pasta for instance. As long as you can place ingredients in a pan and use a timer, you’re set to create a pasta tossed with tomatoes, garlic, onion, fresh basil, and parmesan.

A skillet full of Taco Casserole with cheese, nacho chips, and taco meat.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Taco Casserole

You’ll need a cast iron skillet for this Martha-inspired Taco Casserole but we promise it’s worth the purchase if you don’t already have one in your kitchen. Layers of ground beef, peppers, onions, chiles, beans, and plenty of cheese create a bed for crispy tortilla chips on top. Feel free to have lime, sour cream, and hot sauce on hand for customizing to your desires.

A portion of Martha Stewart-Inspired Chicken Pot Pie sits on a pale green and white plate with a fork and knife beneath it and a piece of focaccia in the bottom right corner.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Chicken Pot Pie

If you feel ready to take things to the next level, task yourself with making a Martha Stewart-Inspired Chicken Pot Pie that uses a homemade pie crust instead. Don’t worry! Making a crust is actually incredibly simple and with a step-by-step guide you’ll have a crunchy coating in no time.

When You Want Dinner to Be a Little More Special

A green plate with Martha Stewart-Inspired Stacked Eggplant Parmesan individually on a plate with a beschamel sauce off to the side.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Stacked Eggplant Parmesan

Sometimes, you want something that’s worth the extra effort for those days when you have the time to experiment. Even though Martha excels in the simple, she also knows how to upgrade your basic dinner into something more delicious and nutritious. In honor of this, our Stacked Eggplant Parmesan gifts each member of your table their own mound of tender eggplant, savory tomato sauce, parmesan, mozzarella, and basil, along with a homemade béchamel sauce over top of it all. It’s a combination of comfort and luxury that appeals to all ranges of tastebuds.

A cast iron pan on a picnic table with chicken roll ups sitting in a creamy sauce with two small containers of salt and pepper below.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Keto Chicken Roll Ups

And, for those looking at sticking to a diet, there’s always Keto Chicken Roll Ups that take inspiration from Martha Stewart’s Chicken Corden-Bleu Roll-Ups. Here, the chicken is the star of the show. Hearty chicken breast cushions prosciutto, mozzarella, and spinach. Then, a lemon artichoke cream sauce helps roast the chicken in the oven to satisfaction. The health factor comes in handy since you’re going to want to dive into dessert afterward.

Martha Stewart-Inspired Desserts to End on a Sweet Note

It’s difficult to pick the best recipes when it comes to desserts. After all, how could you possibly make a bad sweet treat? But, if we have to pick, it’s going to be recipes that cover all your favorite categories. For cookie lovers, Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are as classic as you can get. Warm, gooey and jus the right texture, you can also mix things up by using white chocolate chips and dried strawberries instead for something different.

A green plate full of Martha Stewart cookies in chocolate chip and white chocolate strawberry varieties.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Those who can’t help but fall for a cake, we’ve found your heaven, literally. A light, airy, and fluffy Angel Food Cake that takes notes from Martha showcases how sometimes less is more. Sweetened coconut and Italian meringue cover the sides and fill the center. But, we always encourage you to decorate to your heart’s content with berries or even toffee chips.

A woman cuts a slice of Martha Stewart-Inspired Angel Food Cake that's topped with coconut as another slice sits on a blue plate nearby.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Angel Food Cake

If you prefer a heftier cake, there’s also a Lemon Pound Cake with a Pomegranate Glaze that upgrades a usual Martha pound cake. This recipe packs in the flavor with lemon juice, lemon extract, rosemary, and pomegranate juice. The cake is moist and matches the tart but sweet flavors of lemon and pomegranate. Plus the glaze is such a striking color we can’t help but smile at a slice.

A sliced into pieces whole lemon pound cake sits with a pomegranate glaze on top with pink flowers and pomegranate seeds as decor.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Lemon Pound Cake with a Pomegranate Glaze

Speaking of slices, we’ll take a slice of pie too! This isn’t quite Martha’s pumpkin pie, instead it’s a Five Spice Pumpkin Pie that centers around Chinese five spice. Your pumpkin spice gets an upgrade with a mix of star anise, fennel seeds, szechuan peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon instead. It makes the flavor more complex, letting you savor something new.

A pumpkin pie with a phyllo crust pits in a pan on a picnic table with small bowls of spices and spoons sitting around it.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Five Spice Pumpkin Pie

Innovation like is part of what we love about Martha’s recipes. We use a cheddar cheese crust in our Apple Crostata that reminds you how well fruit and cheeses go together. It’s a little sweet and a little savory. A scoop of ice cream on top adds an intriguing creaminess to the crunch.

On a dark plate sits an Apple Crostada inspired by Martha Stewart which is made with a cheddar cheese crust. One slice has been cut out and sits on another plate with a scoop of ice cream on top.
Martha Stewart-Inspired Apple Crostata with Cheddar Cheese Crust

Our Own Martha Stewart Dinner Party

The spread quickly became a reflection of our staff itself. Some gravitated toward nostalgic sweets while others arrived with savory dinner dishes already in mind. As plates filled the table and conversations flowed, every recipe carried the same spirit that has long defined Martha’s cooking. Food brings people together. Her recipes balance elegance and accessibility, proving that delicious, hearty meals are not out of reach for the home cook. Of course, being TABLE Magazine, we couldn’t resist adding a little extra pizzazz of our own. A flourish of seasoning here, a creative twist there… but each dish stayed true to Martha’s approachable foundation while reflecting the personality and flair of the people who made it.

The Eats

A tray full of tomatoes and feta with small pieces of bread surrounding it.
Roasted Tomatoes and Cheese with Thyme

Our Publisher Justin Matase came in with a tray of Roasted Tomatoes and Cheese with Thyme. “I added garlic and onion powder along with a general Italian seasoning mix and crumbled Marcona almonds on top for added crunch,” says Matase. “Oh, and pepper, I added black pepper too.”

A bowl full of soup with a slice of bread on the side and spoon below it.
White Bean Soup

Associate Publisher Mark Chutko’s White Bean Soup won hearts not just for its taste but for bringing it in a Martha Stewart enamelware pot as well. “I added rosemary and thyme to give it added flavor,” says Chutko.

A bowl of mac and cheese with broccoli all through it.
Cheater’s Mac and Cheese

Shady Ave Editor-in-Chief and TABLE contributor Sean Collier went in looking for the easiest recipe possible and came out with Cheater’s Mac and Cheese. For him, a little doctoring up was simple. “WAY more parmesan! (A bit more black pepper, too),” he says.

A rectangular orange tray with small chicken salad cups that a person is moving to grab.
Classic Chicken Salad

Shady Ave Sales Associate Deb Hansen makes Martha’s Classic Chicken Salad but shakes things up by serving in small phyllo cups with extra ingredients. “I tripled the mayo, doubled the Dijon mustard, and then added the following: a teaspoon each garlic and onion powder, teaspoon of honey, 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup of finely diced red delicious apple, and then served in small phyllo shells,” Hansen says.

Two plates sit beside a big bowl of salad with a measuring cup of yellow dressing below it.
Martha’s Favorite Vinaigrette Recipe

Since everyone else seemed to be using a carb, Director of Operations Star Laliberte decided on Martha’s Favorite Vinaigrette Recipe to go with a tossed salad. “I pulled back on the oil just a bit, added about a tablespoon of honey, a gentle squeeze of lemon, used pink salt instead of kosher salt (which makes me swell), and used more pepper,” Laliberte says.

A stack of fried potato sticks on a pink plate.
Potato Croquettes

Online Editor Kylie Thomas wished to make something that could accompany any dish so they went with Potato Croquettes. Not much had to be changed but extra seasoning always helps. “I simply used Italian seasoning instead of just parsley,” Thomas says.

The Sweets

A stack of orange french toast on a green plate with butter and syrup on top.
Martha’s Oven Baked French Toast

Director of Sales Stephanie Cravotta used her own version of Martha’s Oven Baked French Toast which she makes regularly at home. “I also used almond milk, doubled the orange zest and juice, and added vanilla,” she says.

Chocolate covered rice krispy treats on a brown plate.
Martha’s Crispy Chocolate-Marshmallow Treats

Associate Art Director Evan Okun let his creativity come through Martha’s Crispy Chocolate-Marshmallow Treats. “I used chocolate rice crispies instead of the normal ones, and because of that I didn’t use the Dutch process coca,” says Okun. “Also, I added a lot more melted chocolate on top to fully coat them.”

A white cake with chocolate chips over top. A slice is partially taken out.
Three slices of dark chocolate cake sitting on three beige plates.
Left: Keith’s Take. Right: Martha’s Chocolate Beet Cake

Editor-in-Chief Keith Recker leaned into the spring weather with a Chocolate Beet Cake. His baking experience led him to make a few changes. “I added fresh orange juice, orange zest, amaretto, a stabilized whip cream frosting with orange enhancements, and a bit more rising agent to improve the texture,” he says.

Story by Kylie Thomas
Party Food Photography by Keith Recker

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Collier’s Cuts: The Third Colleen Hoover Adaptation Hits Cinemas ‘Reminders of Him’

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
A woman holding a child facing a man leaning on an orange truck with the mountains behind him in the distance.
(from left) Ledger Ward (Tyriq Withers), Diem Landry (Zoe Kosovic) and Kenna Rowan (Maika Monroe) in REMINDERS OF HIM, directed by Vanessa Caswill.
A graphic for Reminders of Him with a photo still from the film and 3 star rating.

The 2024 film It Ends With Us was a hit, but beset by controversy. Last year’s Regretting You wasn’t a bad movie, but it only did middling business. Now, Reminders of Him, the third adaptation of a novel by Colleen Hoover, tries to avoid peril — both financial and reputational.

Romance By Way of Tragedy in Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him

The chief merit of Hoover’s stories — at least the few I’ve seen to via film adaptations — is the presence of problems that border on realism. Both Regretting You and Reminders of Him hinge on fatal car crashes; in the latter case, it’s a tragedy that even dabbles in social commentary.

Kenna Rowan (Maika Monroe) and Scotty Landry (Rudy Pankow) are young lovers in Laramie, Wyoming; their love seems real enough, and marriage is on the way. When they (barely) indulge on Landry’s birthday — splitting a weed gummy after skinny-dipping at a picturesque lake — a single-vehicle crash results. Rowan walks away to find help, passing out due to a concussion; Landry dies.

Rowan goes to prison for vehicular manslaughter, where she gives birth to a daughter, conceived just before the accident. The child is taken to be raised by Landry’s devastated parents (Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford). When Rowan is released, she struggles to find employment and stability as an ex-convict — and is haunted by both the titular reminders of her past and the close presence of a daughter she’s legally unable to visit.

While her financial woes quickly resolve, there’s some merit to depicting them at all; in a genre defined by impossible, Hallmark-appropriate dream jobs and escapism, Reminders of Him at least nods to real life.

Sparks Fly, Interspersed With Tears

Rowan runs into Landry’s best friend, an impossibly kind former NFL player with the equally improbable name Ledger Ward (Tyriq Withers). And wouldn’t you know it: Ward has become both a surrogate father to Rowan’s daughter and a source of comfort for the mourning parents. With a mix of obligation, guilt and frustration, he first offers Rowan aid … then more.

Meanwhile, he must keep both his new affair and Rowan’s activities secret from the family. This shouldn’t be taken as more than a sitcom-level obstacle. Reminders of Him moves slowly from point A to point B with the subtlety of a car crash. Thanks to the chemistry between Withers and Monroe — who, vitally for the genre, are easily the most attractive people to ever set foot in Wyoming — the uninspired plot proceeds as a watchable diversion.

Hoover adapts her own screenplay with the help of collaborator Lauren Levine; Vanessa Caswill, mainly a director of British television miniseries, helms the film without much subtlety (and with a cloying, obvious score). On its merits, Reminders of Him doesn’t add up to much. Stray details and moments, however, make it good enough for a slightly disinterested date night.

Sure, There Are Other Movies Out — But It’s Oscar Weekend!

Hollywood’s attention isn’t on box-office returns this weekend, as one of the most unpredictable and twisting Oscar campaigns in recent memory comes to a conclusion. (Timothee Chalamet should count himself lucky that voting ended before he defamed several art forms.) The big show is Sunday night, airing at 7 p.m. on ABC and Hulu. Read our predictions to help with your Oscar betting pool

A24 presents undertone — yes, deliberately uncapitalized — an atmospheric horror movie about a woman beset by terrifying noises. Early reviews are positive; writing for RogerEbert.com, Brian Tallerico says, “This is a film that doesn’t feel the need to explain itself. Nightmares rarely do.” The film is in wide release now … Want one last-minute bit of Oscars catchup? The nominated documentary Mister Nobody Against Putin is in more theaters this weekend. Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor is widely expected to take the prize, but Mister Nobody Against Putin is the only other nominee with a chance, according to oddsmakers

Didn’t think this one would get an anniversary re-release, but nostalgia is a powerful thing: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze returns to theaters this week for its 35th birthday. (If nothing else, that’s the one where Vanilla Ice turns up to perform Ninja Rap.)

Story by Sean Collier
Photos Courtesy of Universal Pictures

St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails for Getting the Party Started

By
Kylie Thomas
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0
A closeup look in photo of a Guinness Beer Float with vanilla ice cream and a can of beer being poured over the top of a ball of creamy white ice cream.

St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect excuse to raise a glass, gather your friends, and add a little Irish-inspired spirit to the celebration. Whether you’re hosting a lively party, heading to a festive get-together, or simply toasting from home, the right cocktail can instantly set the mood. We’re sharing a lineup of St. Patrick’s Day cocktails that are as fun to make as they are to drink. So what are you waiting for? Shake up the luck of the Irish! All you need now is our Irish Feast to match.

St. Patrick’s Day Cocktail Recipes

Irish Cream

A glass holds an Irish Cream with whipped cream on top, a shot of whiskey to the left, and ice cubes sitting in front of the glass all on a green background.

Skip buying Baileys this year and make it at home instead. Our recipe for homemade Irish Cream is not only cheaper than the bottle alternative, but tastes better too. Its full-bodied profile lets the creamy cocoa shine, followed by a smooth chase of Irish Whiskey. Serve it in your coffee or on its own in a glass with delectable whipped cream on top.

Bailey’s Irish Coffee

An Irish Coffee made with Baileys sits in a mug on a white table with whipped cream on top and a pair of shamrock sunglasses in front of the glass.

Now that you’ve made your own Irish Cream, put it to good use by making a Bailey’s Irish Coffee. We recommend serving this coffee hot as a way to both wake and warm you up on St. Patrick’s Day morning. All you need is your favorite brew of hot coffee, your Irish Cream, sugar, and whipped cream as well as cinnamon for a garnish.

Not Your Average Guinness Float

A closeup look in photo of a Guinness Beer Float with vanilla ice cream and a can of beer being poured over the top of a ball of creamy white ice cream.

It’s tradition to enjoy a cold pint of Guinness on Saint Patrick’s Day, so why not make it a bit more fun? This is Not Your Average Guinness Float either since it includes dashes of walnut bitters. The nutty addition blends perfectly with the ice cream’s creaminess and rich, stout Guinness. With a combination this good, you’ll be looking forward to dessert before dinner is even made.

The Gentleman’s Brew, A Non-Alcoholic Irish Coffee

A glass mug filled with a dark, creamy-looking A non-alcoholic Irish coffee garnished with a lemon peel and what appears to be coffee beans or espresso grounds.

Even though Saint Patrick’s Day is thought to be all about the drinking, you don’t have to be drunk to enjoy the holiday. In fact, this Non-Alcoholic Irish Coffee delivers a burst of energy with the use of cold brew. It also uses a bourbon replacement and chocolate bitters to make this drink more complex than your average coffee.

Story by Kylie Thomas

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