Sunday Paper Recommends—Week of April 28, 2024

At The Sunday Paper, we're always discovering books, podcasts, films, and other works that move the needle and spark inspiring change. We hope these suggestions—plus this this one item we've been loving lately—open your heart and mind and encourage you to come together for meaningful conversations.

What We’re Reading

Bonnie Hammer, a dear friend of The Sunday Paper, has built one of the most respected careers in the media industry. The Vice Chair of NBC Universal has spent decades evolving nearly every facet of the television entertainment business, launching hit series including Suits, The Sinner, Battlestar Galactica, and hundreds more while mentoring countless women. Her book, 15 Lies Women Are Told At Work… and the Truth We Need to Succeed, offers women near and far her hard-earned insight and counsel. Hammer is direct, funny, and brilliant, and she makes every page a worthwhile read. This is a book to gift to your sister, mother, friend, aunt, best friend, and beyond, and it's filled with the wisdom that exponentially transforms your career and life. 

Maurice Saatchi has had a prolific life of the mind. He is a revered sage in advertising, where he grew his company Saatchi & Saatchi to become one of the world's most globally recognized. The author has released his latest book, Orgasm, which offers readers an "unforgettable mental experience" as he interrogates and explores global delusions, digging into a range of topics from geopolitics to etiquette. This stunning coffee table book begs the question: What does it mean to have an orgasm" of the mind?

What We’re Listening to

She had us at her first post. Then she won our hearts when we interviewed her. Now Caroline Baudino, the affable, irreverent, hugely successful pro-aging influencer, has won over our ears with the news of her new podcast, "Coming in Hot"—officially launching tomorrow. Baudino, who helms her famous Instagram presence "Shop with Caroline," will be digging into self-discovery, finding the joy, tackling the hard stuff, and never losing ourselves. We cannot wait to hear what she brings to every conversation. If you haven't already, be sure to read our feature on Baudino here. You'll be hooked!

What We’re Loving

This is our go-to, wear-with-everything beacon of light. We're so proud of our Sunday Paper 'Move Humanity Forward' sweatshirt, made of the softest cotton. It's a way to wear your values (literally) on your sleeve.

What We’re Watching

Ahead of The Vatican's first World Children's Day in May, Pope Francis offered his sentiments on children's well-being, famine, climate change, global war, and more to CBS News. It was the first extensive one-on-one interview with an American television network for the head of the Catholic Church. Veteran journalist Norah O'Donnell spoke with Pope Francis, who is 87-year-old, about the world's most pressing issues. He touched on the need to negotiate peace and to put the world's children at the forefront. "Those kids don't know how to smile," he said about children impacted by wars across the globe. "Children always bear a message. They bear a message, and it's a way for us to have a younger heart." We recommend watching this historic in-depth interview with Pope Francis, illuminating critical issues.

We're also excited for Common Ground, the anticipated sequel to the documentary Kiss the Ground. Weaving together personal stories and journalistic exposé, this film reveals the injustice rife in our farming system. It sheds light on the iconoclastic farmers and regenerative agriculture models moving things in the right direction.

Our Sunday Dinner Recipe

CABBAGE ROLLS
SERVES 6 TO 8

More than anything in my book, a cabbage roll might be the best thing to make ahead of time and freeze. I make fifty at a time, reheat them later, and give them a new home in my stomach.

1 large or 2 medium heads green cabbage, about 3 pounds
2 onions, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds ground beef (80 percent fat)
3/4 cup uncooked white rice
2 eggs
1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup water
1/2 cup chopped golden raisins
1 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for baking
½ cup ketchup
3 lemons, juiced
1 orange, juiced
½ cup sauerkraut
½ cup white wine vinegar
½ tablespoon cinnamon

Remove the core from the cabbage and separate into leaves. Blanch a few at a time in salted boiling water until pliable, 1 to 2 minutes per batch. When cool enough to handle, use a knife to remove the ribs. Chop 1 cup cabbage and reserve for later.

Cook onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons butter and a large pinch of salt over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.

Combine beef, rice, eggs, and half the sauteed onion mixture. Season with 1 tablespoon of salt and some fresh pepper.

Add a little handful of the mixture to each cabbage leaf and carefully roll it like a little burrito, folding up the sides to create a little package.

To make the sauce, combine the remaining onion mixture, crushed tomatoes, water, raisins, sugar, ketchup, lemon juice, orange juice, chopped cabbage, sauerkraut, vinegar, and cinnamon. Season with salt and pepper.

Put a thin layer of the sauce at the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan. Tightly pack the cabbage rolls in the pan, and then add the remaining sauce. You want them to be swimming.

Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.

Place a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil on lower rack to catch any drips. Bake cabbage on center rack at 350°F until meat is falling apart and rice is cooked, 2 to 21/2 hours. Tent with foil if getting too dark.

From the book OPEN WIDE by benny blanco. Copyright Ó 2024 by benny blanco. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.