In traditional French onion soup, the melted cheese on top of the crusty bread adds a delightful finish to the dish. Similarly, this one-pot pasta recipe captures the same essence by incorporating a blend of shredded Parmesan and Gruyere cheese. The combination achieves a lovely melting texture and infuses the pasta with that signature French onion flavor.

1/4 cup salted butter 4 cups thinly sliced yellow onions ( 3 medium onions) 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 large sprigs of fresh thyme 1/2 cup dry vino 6 cups beef stock or broth 16 ounces dried rigatoni 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar 1/3 cup finely shredded Gruyere 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup heavy cream Salt Freshly ground black pepper Chopped fresh thyme, for serving Additional Gruyere, for serving Additional Parmesan cheese, for serving

In a 4- to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook the onions, covered for 5 minutes, then uncover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the onions are caramelized and golden brown – for about 30 minutes.

Add the minced garlic and fresh thyme. Cook for additional 2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant. Splash some white wine into the Dutch oven, scraping up any browned bits for added flavor.

Pour the beef stock or broth into the pot and bring to a boil. Stir in the rigatoni pasta and cook, uncovered, until al dente for approximately 12 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and discard the thyme sprigs. Stir in the heavy cream, shredded Gruyere, and Parmesan cheese, allowing them to create a creamy sauce. Add the sherry vinegar and season to taste with salt and black pepper. If desired, garnish each bowl with additional shredded cheese and chopped thyme.

A statue honoring Henrietta Lacks will be built for her in her hometown, Roanoke, Virginia. Who was she, exactly, and why was she so important? Henrietta was a black woman who passed away in 1951, aged just 31, from cervical cancer. Despite her young age, she managed to contribute to multiple medical breakthroughs, but her tale is pitted with injustices.

Who Was Henrietta Lacks?

When Henrietta Lacks initially showed up at the hospital, she was diagnosed and treated for her cancer. One of Lacks’ treatments included the non-consensual collection of tissue samples. The doctors analyzed them and discovered that they reproduced at a high rate, long after all other cells were outside of their host. These cells ended up being crucial to research and became known as the “HeLa” immortalized cell line.

Henrietta Lacks’ family members didn’t know that her cells were used for research or that they even helped create a multibillion-dollar industry until they tried to track them down to use their DNA and map her genes and help with the contamination of future cell cultures.

The Statue Will Replace an Older One

Unfortunately, the family has yet to get compensation for the use of Lacks’ cells, but a new lawsuit has been filed against the non-consensual act by Thermo Fisher Scientific. Even the hospital thinks that more should have been done to inform her family. At least now, there will be a statue that commemorates Lacks, who never knew how many lives she would save through numerous medical breakthroughs. The statue will replace a monument, a change that was voted for by city officials.

An Initiative based in the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Roanoke Hidden Histories, has raised over $180,000. The money will cover the expenses of the statue and a virtual reality documentary of the history of the town. This will help future generations remember the legacy and history of Henrietta Lacks.