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Elmo's chat about grief with famous actor goes viral

A heart-warming conversation between actor Andrew Garfield and Elmo has gone viral for their candid conversation about grief. While on a press tour to promote his new film We Live in Time, the English actor stopped by Sesame Street for a chat about his mourning journey after his mother died from pancreatic cancer in 2019. Sitting on a stoop beside Elmo, Garfield began the vulnerable conversation, that has been praised for being so open about the taboo of grief and death. “Elmo’s going around Sesame Street checking in on everybody,” Elmo told a smiling Garfield. “So, Elmo wants to know how Andrew’s doing?” With some encouragement from the Muppet, Garfield revealed that he’s been thinking about his mother, as he said, “She passed away not too long ago, and you know, I just miss her. Miss her a lot.” <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EVlXbiP4x2E?si=fFYYt5DJDiGAawXJ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> After Elmo responded apologetically, Garfield reassured Elmo that there’s no need to say sorry, and that “it’s actually kind of OK to miss somebody,” even if it invokes feelings of sadness. “That sadness is kind of a gift. It’s kind of a lovely thing to feel, in a way, because it means you really loved somebody when you miss them,” Garfield said, adding: “When I miss my mum, I remember all of the cuddles I used to get from her, all of the hugs I used to get from her.” Garfield finished his thoughts by saying that he can miss and celebrate his mother at the same time, as Elmo thanked Garfield for sharing his emotions, saying, “You know what, Elmo is gonna think about and celebrate your mommy, too.” The video quickly racked up millions of views and comments, with many saying how Andrew's thoughts were so poignant, and that they resonated with their own personal stories of grief. Many people called it a "touching conversation" that was "absolutely beautiful", while another person added, "I didn't expect a talk with Elmo to get this deep." Image credits: Sesame Street - YouTube

Mind

“Grandma meant Elmo”: Cake-maker reveals hilarious baking blunder

An American baker has left the internet in stitches after misreading her customer’s custom cake request, instead delivering a baking blunder for the Sesame Street history books. In a video posted to her TikTok account, Brianna Romero - who is known professionally as Brinni Cakes - confessed her mistake to the world, recounting the story of how a recent order from a grandmother had led her to the creation of her new friend ‘Emo Elmo’. “So my worst nightmare happened,” she said, with audio playing over a timelapse of Brianne constructing another cake. “Last week a lady DMed me and asked me if I could make her an emo cake, and I was thinking ‘yes, of course, I love emo and I love goth, and I know I’ve been perfecting my black frosting so I’m ready for this’.” Brianna went on to explain that she’d gotten all of her customer’s information, and set to work. However, an hour before she was set to deliver the cake, she decided to offer the woman a number candle - an offer that was soon accepted. “She said ‘yes, the cake is for my granddaughter and she’s turning four’”, Brianna explained in the clip. “And I thought that that was a little bit weird, ‘cause I don’t know an emo four year old.” After trying to understand the weird request, Brianna figured that the little girl must just be a fan of something like Netflix’s Wednesday series. Unfortunately, this was not the case. “Something felt wrong,” she noted, before describing how she’d reach out again to ask what the theme of the party was, only to find out it was Sesame Street. “So my heart sinks a little bit because this is now making sense to me,” she said. It was then that Brianna returned to the original exchange between herself and her customer, and had her worst fears confirmed. “I misread emo,” Brianna admitted, “and it said an Elmo cake.” Luckily, Brianna was a quick thinker in her time of stress and rushed out to find an Elmo topper for her cake, before offering the cake for free. <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; width: 610.266px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7212109376436391210&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40brinnicakes%2Fvideo%2F7212109376436391210&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2Fe19d4562cc04495c8778154678f1d382_1679200086%7Etplv-dmt-logom%3Atos-useast5-i-0068-tx%2F1ad8d307d5f74948880bf2e0f91228f3.image%3Fx-expires%3D1683669600%26x-signature%3DCxdjPe36YRrx4SrRRwvAPwRsevY%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> Brianna’s audience were obsessed with her tale, and the video shot to viral heights, with over 11.7 million views to its name. “As soon as you revealed it was for a 4yr old I was like ‘oh no, grandma meant Elmo’,” one follower wrote. “Praying it’s Elmo with a side bang,” said another. Her misfortune drew in over a thousand comments, but there was a recurring thought that stood out among the chorus, and that was a request to see the baked blunder. And while Brianna admitted in an update that she hadn’t had the time to snap pictures on the day of delivery, she did her best with her follow-up video, sharing photos of cakes that looked “almost exactly” like her own, to the delight of her worldwide audience. “This is so funny,” someone said. “Elmo with a side bang has me in tears.” Meanwhile, another commenter wanted to know what the recipients had thought about their unique goods. “She tried to pay still but I told her everything that happened and we just laughed it off,” Brianna said. “It was just for a small family party anyway.” Images: TikTok

Food & Wine

Everything A-OK? New history shows the way to Sesame Street wasn’t always easy outside US

Associate Professor Helle Strandgaard Jensen based at Denmark’s Aarhus University, says while Sesame Street producers presented their content as both diverse and universal, the underpinning US values and assumptions about children often led to cultural clashes in other countries. <div class="copy"> With children’s culture again at the centre of debates about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/feb/26/censorship-or-context-australian-book-industry-wrestles-with-how-to-refresh-outdated-classics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">banning or re-writing books</a> and what makes for <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/abc-accused-of-grooming-kids-after-drag-queen-appeared-on-play-school/news-story/efc1dd82aa4fb6b01a4c575e2f40e589" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">appropriate children’s television</a>, Jensen says a historical approach can provide the opportunity for more informed discussions. Sesame Street debuted on television in the US in 1969 (it came to Australia in 1971) and according to its US website: “…has made a positive impact in children’s lives ever since.” The show says: “Sesame Street brings critical early education to children in 150+ countries”. While Sesame Street’s universality was marketed to international audiences, Jensen says the show is shaped by US assumptions about children’s role in society, cognitive psychology and the role of media in education. In European countries like the UK, Germany and Scandinavia there was a more progressive view about children, she says. As a result, the program was sometimes met with hostility by foreign television producers and broadcasters. In Jensen’s home of Denmark, Danish broadcasters rejected the show outright. Instead adapting their own children’s program Legestue to <a href="https://www.shcy.org/features/commentaries/helle-strandgaard-jensen-on-kermits-chubby-danish-cousin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">incorporate a frog</a> named Kaj inspired by Kermit, but one that “loves jazz and talks back to adult authority”, she says. In Germany, where <a href="https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Sesamstrasse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Sesamestraße’</a> is celebrating its 50th anniversary, local co-producers made their own content spliced together with US content, and added their own puppets including a piglet Purk, a snail Finchen and Leniemienie the mouse. German produced content portrays the child at the centre, encouraging them to question authority, and often revealing the hypocrisy or flaws of adults, Jensen says. It was an approach that sometimes resulted in pushback from the US based Childrens Television Workshop, she says. For instance, in one local clip, an adult is attending to some flowers in their garden, mowing an area of grass containing different flowers. The children ask, ‘which flowers are the good flowers?’ In another, a woman walks past a child having to do an emergency wee in public. ‘That’s disgusting!’ the woman says. But as she walks further, her dog relieves itself on the pavement, and the woman doesn’t pick it up the waste. German Ministry of Education guides to accompany the show rejected traditional gender roles, taught children about the body and emphasised society based on collaboration, including unions. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <div class="embed-wrapper"> <div class="inner"> <div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 500px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;" data-spai-bg-prepared="1"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" class="" style="display: block; position: static; visibility: visible; width: 400px; height: 656px; flex-grow: 1;" title="Twitter Tweet" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=cosmosmagazine&dnt=true&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1612139711304273922&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fcosmosmagazine.com%2Fpeople%2Fhistory-sesame-street%2F&sessionId=6d9a2d118b670e8e312cee283ceca4c065b3acf7&siteScreenName=cosmosmagazine&theme=light&widgetsVersion=aaf4084522e3a%3A1674595607486&width=500px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-spai-bg-prepared="1" data-tweet-id="1612139711304273922"></iframe></div> </div> </div> </div> </figure> In Europe, children’s television was seen as offering something separate to school, a way to empower children and support their own understanding of the world. The European view was more based in sociology and journalism – asking children directly about what they wanted – rather than cognitive psychology, Jensen says. For example in the UK, television producers would survey children about what they were interested in, their views, and make content based on that. Another key difference was the highly commercial landscape of television in the US, Jensen says. This was different to Europe and places like Australia where public broadcasters could afford to produce content for children that was more experimental. She says reflecting on the past is important as children’s viewing is increasingly dominated by streaming platforms, many of which are based in the US and dominated by American programming. The ABC began broadcasting Sesame Street twice-daily in 1971. While Jensen’s book doesn’t specifically address the response to the show in Australia, she says a lot of her archival research included information shared between the public broadcasters the ABC and BBC, which had a strong co-production tradition. “One of the ways the BBC learned about what happened in the Children’s Television Workshop and making Sesame Street was via their Australian friends in the ABC,” she says. Jensen says as early as 1970 an Australian journalist at The Bulletin was questioning whether the show imposed American culture on children in other countries. In the article, ‘Entertaining Australians to be Americans’, Sesame Street founder Joan Ganz Cooney says she had few reservations about imposing US culture on Australian audiences. “For good or ill the whole world is being Americanised,” she says. Children’s Television Workshop describes the sale of Sesame Street to 26 foreign countries, including Australia, as an opportunity to study the universality of the program, according to The Bulletin. Sesame Street: A Transnational History is set for <a href="https://academic.oup.com/book/45872/chapter-abstract/400828941?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">release in Australia in May</a>. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <div class="embed-wrapper"> <div class="inner"><iframe title="SESAMSTRASSE Folge 1 (Teil 1)" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6-sJKRPuaiM?feature=oembed" width="500" height="375" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> </div> </div> </figure> <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=245054&title=Everything+A-OK%3F+New+history+shows+the+way+to+Sesame+Street+wasn%26%238217%3Bt+always+easy+outside+US" width="1" height="1" data-spai-target="src" data-spai-orig="" data-spai-exclude="nocdn" /> <div class="in-content-area more-on"> </div> </div> <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/history-sesame-street/">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/petra-stock">Petra Stock</a>. Petra Stock has a degree in environmental engineering and a Masters in Journalism from University of Melbourne. She has previously worked as a climate and energy analyst. </div>

Sesame Street legend dies at age 90

One of the original stars of Sesame Street has passed away at the 90. Bob McGrath was one of just four cast members hired for the pilot of the children's TV show when it aired in 1969, and continued with the show for 47 seasons. News of the actor's death was shared by the family on his official Facebook page. "Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family," said the post. After appearing on over 150 episodes of the show. numerous specials, direct to video movies, and two feature films, McGrath finally stopped acting on Sesame Street with his last episode entitled Having a Ball in 2017. McGrath conducted lessons for children through his puppeteering and also wrote original sons for the production including People in Your Neighbourhood, Sing a Song, If You're Happy And You Know It and the Sesame Street theme song. McGrath played a character named Bob alongside Matt Robinson as Gordon, Loretta Long as Susan and Will Lee as Mr. Hooper when he began on the show. "We've always looked at children as just short people," McGrath told the<a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2022/12/4/23493160/bob-mcgrath-dead-sesame-street-obituary-cast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener"> Sun-Times</a> in 1998. "We've never talked down to them." "The kids we were meant to reach, I think we've reached," McGrath added. "They've grown up. They're in their 30s now. They have kids of their own, our Sesame Seeds, and they come up to me and say, 'Thank you very much. It made a major difference in our lives."' Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

From a series of recipes by Xali: Seared Tuna with Asian Slaw Sesame & Naz’s sesame Dressing

Xali is Australia’s first training, dietary and wellness program to cater to women going through biological changes with a focus on perimenopause and menopause. Created by Northern Rivers resident Naz de Bono, Xali is a daily personalised program that provides workouts, recipes, education and support to women based on the 4 pillars of Move, Eat, Learn & Connect. Xali creates recommendations for women bursting with energy but also provides options for the days when they want to pull back. As women experience biological changes, the way they exercise needs to be adapted. A shift in hormones means women have a higher risk of injury and Naz has created a library of workouts with this in mind. Seared Tuna with Asian Slaw & Naz's Sesame Dressing. Serves 1 Ingredients: ● ¼ whole red capsicum, finely sliced ● ½ cup wombok or white cabbage, shredded ● ½ cup sprouts, assorted ● 1 whole spring onion, finely sliced ● ½ tsp peanut oil ● 1 whole tuna fish steaks (about 160g each, about 2cm thick) ● ⅛ tsp salt ● ⅛ tsp cracked black pepper ● 1 tbsp Naz’s sesame dressing ● 1 tsp pickled ginger, shredded ● ½ tsp sesame seeds, white ● ⅛ whole nori seaweed sheet, very finely shredded Method: 1. In a medium bowl, place red capsicum, wombok or white cabbage, sprouts of your choice and spring onions. 2. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush both sides of tuna with oil, season, and cook until medium rare, about 3-5 minutes either side, depending on your preference. 3. Remove tuna from the pan, allow it to cool enough so you can break up the fish in your hands. 4. Transfer the cooked tuna to the bowl with the salad, then toss with Naz’s Sesame Dressing the place into a serving bowl. Top with pickled ginger, white sesame seeds and very finely shredded nori seaweed. Naz's Sesame Dressing. Everyone always asks for this one, so here it is! The toasted sesame oil really gives it a unique and more-ish flavour! Having a big batch of this on hand assures more delicious salads and avoid any premade nasty dressings and sauces! Keep it in your cupboard, take it to work but be careful all your friends will want some! Naz. Yields: about 300 ml Serving size: about 10 ml per person Ingredients: ● 125ml sesame oil, toasted ● 10ml apple cider vinegar ● 7 ½ ml tamari ● 1 garlic clove, to taste ● ½ tsp chilli flakes ● ⅛ tsp salt, to taste ● ⅛ tsp cracked black pepper, to taste Method: 1. Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend on high for 1 minute. 2. Pour over your fresh salads, steam vegetables or use as a marinade. 3. Store back in a sealed bottle out of direct sunlight or chill. Use within 7 days. Image: Supplied

Food & Wine

Teriyaki silver trevally fillets with sesame & zucchini

Serves 4 There are good commercial teriyaki sauces and marinades available, or you can make your own by combining equal quantities of light soy sauce and mirin. The name comes from the Japanese words “teri” meaning shine and “yaki” meaning grill, as meat and fish are brushed with the marinade while being grilled to give a shiny coating. This recipe is a super easy way to marinate fish in less than 20 minutes but still packed full of flavour! Ingredients <ul> <li>¼ cup teriyaki sauce</li> <li>2cm piece ginger, finely grated</li> <li>1 large clove garlic, crushed</li> <li>1½ teaspoons white sugar</li> <li>1½ teaspoons sesame oil</li> <li>2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted (see notes)</li> <li>4 x 180g silver trevally fillets, skin off, bones removed</li> <li>3 zucchini</li> <li>1 tablespoon vegetable oil</li> <li>3 green onions, thinly sliced diagonally</li> <li>Steamed rice, to serve</li> </ul> Directions 1. Combine the teriyaki sauce, ginger, garlic, sugar, sesame oil and sesame seeds in a bowl. Add the fish, cover and marinate for 10-20 minutes. 2. Trim the ends off the zucchini and quarter lengthways. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a high heat and add the oil. Add the zucchini and cook for about 2 minutes, until they begin to colour. Remove to a warm plate. 3. Remove fillets from marinade, reserving marinade. 4. Return the pan to the heat, add the trevally fillets and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the edges have turned opaque. Turn the fillets, add the zucchini and the reserved marinade and cook for a further 1-2 minutes, adding a few teaspoons of water if the marinade begins to caramelise. 5. Arrange the zucchini on plates, top with fillets and garnish with green onion. Serve with steamed rice. Tips <ul> <li>Toast sesame seeds in a dry frying pan for a couple of minutes, tossing gently to prevent them burning, or under a griller (but watch them closely).</li> <li>Alternative species: Blue warehou, gemfish, ling, luderick, morwong, queenfish, silver perch, silver warehou, snapper.</li> </ul> Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/teriyaki-silver-trevally-fillets-with-sesame-and-zucchini.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Food & Wine

Mouth-watering sesame sausages with vegetables

Be tempted with this delicious dish that is quick and easy to prepare. Serves: 4 Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking: 25 minutes Ingredients <ul> <li>2 large red capsicums (bell peppers), halved and seeded</li> <li>2 large yellow capsicums (bell peppers), halved and seeded</li> <li>4 thick pork sausages</li> <li>2 tablespoons tomato sauce (ketchup)</li> <li>2 tablespoons hoisin sauce</li> <li>3 tablespoons sesame seeds</li> <li>3 heads bok choy, chopped</li> </ul> Preparation <ol> <li>Preheat the grill (broiler) to medium.</li> <li>Cook the capsicums and sausages for about 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally until the sausages are cooked through and the capsicums is tender and lightly charred.</li> <li>Cut the capsicums into wide strips, set aside and keep warm.</li> <li>Combine the tomato sauce and hoisin sauce in a large shallow bowl.</li> <li>Add the sausages and roll to coat.</li> <li>Cover the grill rack with foil and continue grilling the sausages for 1 minute, or until the glaze is bubbling.</li> <li>Turn the sausages and sprinkle with the sesame seeds, then cook for a further 1 minute, or until the seeds are golden.</li> <li>Thickly slice the sausages on the diagonal and combine with the capsicums and bok choy, tossing together to combine.</li> <li>Divide among serving bowls and serve immediately.</li> </ol> This recipe first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/recipes/sesame-sausages-with-vegetables">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN87V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Food & Wine

Smoked honey sesame pork ribs

These old school American-style ribs are the perfect use of a barbeque smoker for a weekend dinner. Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking time: 2 h 40 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: <ul> <li>2 racks pork ribs</li> <li>100 g honey</li> <li>100 g butter, sliced</li> <li>50 g sesame seeds</li> <li>1 spring onion (scallion), thinly sliced</li> </ul> Rub (Dry spice mix) <ul> <li>2 tablespoons brown sugar</li> <li>1 tablespoon smoked paprika</li> <li>1 teaspoon celery powder</li> <li>1 teaspoon garlic powder</li> <li>1 teaspoon onion powder</li> <li>1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper, finely ground</li> <li>1 tablespoon kosher salt</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Combine all of the rub ingredients in a bowl.</li> <li>Remove the membrane from the underside of the pork ribs and apply liberal coating of the rub to completely cover all sides of the ribs.</li> <li>Indirectly hot smoke the ribs for 1 hour inside a barbecue smoker at 130°C with apple or peach wood chunks or chips.</li> <li>Remove the ribs from the smoker and drizzle with the honey, top with sliced butter.</li> <li>Double wrap each rack of ribs in foil and return to the smoker for a further 1½ hours at 130°C.</li> <li>Allow the ribs to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and sprinkling with sesame seeds and spring onion to serve.</li> </ol> Tips: <ul> <li>Drizzle with extra pre-smoked honey before serving for an extra sweet kick.</li> </ul> This is an edited extract from Ribs: With Low and Slow BBQ Guide by Adam Roberts, New Holland Publishers, RRP $45, available from all good bookstores or <a href="http://au.newhollandpublishers.com/">online</a>. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/smoked-honey-sesame-pork-ribs.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Food & Wine

Coconut bircher muesli, apple, pecans and black sesame

If you want a healthy, filling and nutritious breakfast that’ll keep you going all day, you can’t look past this recipe for coconut bircher muesli, apple, pecans and black sesame. Serves: 2 Ingredients: For the bircher <ul> <li>1 cup rolled oats</li> <li>1 tsp. cinnamon (optional)</li> <li>1 tbsp. chia seeds (optional)</li> <li>1 cup coconut water</li> <li>50g (6) dried apricots, diced</li> <li>1 apple, julienned (for the overnight process)</li> <li>1 tsp. lemon juice</li> </ul> For the topping <ul> <li>½ apple, julienned</li> <li>100g Greek yogurt</li> <li>30g pecans</li> <li>1 tsp. black sesame (optional)</li> <li>2 tsp. honey</li> </ul> Method: <ol start="1"> <li>In a med-large bowl, combine the rolled oats, cinnamon, chia seeds, coconut water, apricots, apple and lemon juice. Stir for 30 seconds, cover with glad wrap and place into the fridge overnight to soak.</li> <li>Before serving breakfast, in a dry pan on a med-high heat, toast the pecans for 2-3 minutes adding the black sesame seeds to the pan for the final 30 seconds. Remove from the pan and allow to cool briefly.</li> <li>To serve, evenly split the bircher muesli between two bowls, top with yogurt, fresh apple, pecans, a drizzle of honey and finally the black sesame seeds.</li> </ol> Recipe courtesy of Will and Steve, The Gourmet Pommies, for <a href="mailto:https://www.uncletobys.com.au" target="_blank">UNCLE TOBYS Oats</a>.

Food & Wine

Salty peanut and sesame cookies

These salty peanut and sesame cookies from Tracey Lister & Andrews Pohl’s new recipe collection Made in Vietnam, will go down a treat with the whole family. These tasty cookies are fun to make (and even more fun to eat). Makes: 20 Ingredients: <ul> <li>185g plain (all-purpose) flour</li> <li>105g ground peanuts</li> <li>80g caster (superfine) sugar</li> <li>1 teaspoon salt</li> <li>100g butter, at room temperature</li> <li>1 egg yolk, lightly whisked</li> <li>1 teaspoon white sesame seeds</li> <li>1 teaspoon black sesame seeds</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Sift the flour, ground peanuts, sugar and salt into a bowl.</li> <li>Using your fingertips, rub in the butter until combined. You may need to add a small amount of water if the mixture seems too dry.</li> <li>When combined, lightly knead the dough on a work surface, then leave to rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.</li> <li>Roll the dough between two sheets of baking paper until it is 5mm thick. Cut into discs using a 5cm biscuit cutter and place on a baking tray.</li> <li>Brush the cookies with the egg yolk and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Place the tray of cookies in the fridge and chill for 10 minutes.</li> <li>Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C.</li> <li>Take the tray directly from the fridge into the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.</li> <li>These cookies will keep for a week in an airtight container.</li> </ol> Have you ever tried a dish like this one? <img width="184" height="210" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/37989/made-in-vietnam-cover_184x210.jpg" alt="Made -in -Vietnam -Cover (1)" style="float: right;"/> This is an edited extract from Made in Vietnam by Tracey Lister & Andrews Pohl published by Hardie Grant Books RRP $39.99 and is available in stores national. Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</a>.

Food & Wine

Sesame Street introduces first-ever autistic muppet

Sesame Street has taken yet another step towards inclusiveness, adding a new autistic character to the cast. “We’re excited to announce a new friend joining us on Sesame Street!” the show announced on Twitter. “She’s Julia, a four-year-old with autism!” Episodes starring the new addition will debut in the US next month, and already, thousands of people affected by autism are praising the show for destigmatising the condition and raising awareness. “I'm the father of an autistic person,” one Twitter user wrote. “This [news] got me very emotional.” “My siblings who have autism loved watching the show when they were younger and it's great to see what you are doing,” another wrote. Watch Julia’s sweet introduction above and tell us in the comments, what other new characters would you like to see added to this iconic show? Credit: Twitter/Sesame Street via Storyful.

News

Fried chicken wings with honey and sesame glaze

Chicken wings glazed with honey and sesame will disappear before your very eyes. Soaking the chicken wings in brine first helps to keep the meat moist, tender and full of flavour. Ingredients: <ul> <li>12 chicken wings, tips removed</li> <li>50g cooking salt</li> <li>100g plain flour</li> <li>100g corn starch</li> <li>100g potato starch flour</li> <li>150g onion powder</li> <li>150g garlic powder</li> <li>160g baking powder</li> <li>vegetable oil, for frying</li> </ul> For the glaze <ul> <li>2 tbsp. dark soy sauce</li> <li>2 tbsp. honey</li> <li>2 tbsp. oyster sauce</li> <li>2 tsp rice vinegar</li> <li>1 garlic clove, finely chopped</li> <li>2 tsp grated ginger</li> <li>2 tsp sesame oil</li> <li>2 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>The day before, cut each chicken wing in half at the joint. Make a brine by combining salt with 1 litre of water. Leave chicken in brine for 18-24 hours (do not leave longer than 24 hours). Drain well.</li> <li>For the glaze, reserve 1 tbsp. sesame seeds. Whisk together remaining sesame seeds and all other ingredients in a large bowl. Check seasoning.</li> <li>Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl. Fill another container with cold water and have a third, empty container ready.</li> <li>Place chicken into flour mix and toss through. Shake off any excess. Place into water for a few seconds then lift out, drain well, then put back into flour mix for a second dusting. Shake off any excess and place in clean bowl ready for frying.</li> <li>Heat oil in a wok to 180°C (a cube of bread will turn gold in about 10 seconds). The oil should be deep enough to deep-fry chicken in batches until golden, about 7-8 minutes a batch. Do not overcrowd the wok and ensure oil is hot enough before adding more chicken. Drain well on paper towel.</li> <li>Dress the chicken with the glaze and serve immediately, sprinkled with remaining sesame seeds.</li> </ol> Written by Neil Perry. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a> Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</a>. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/08/kung-pao-chicken/">Kung pao chicken</a> <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/buttermilk-popcorn-chicken/">Buttermilk popcorn chicken</a> <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/03/deep-fried-chicken/">Deep-fried chicken</a>

Food & Wine

Sesame and ginger BBQ pork stir fry

This speedy, Asian-inspired meal is a quick and authentic dinner option with oriental flavours. Ingredients: <ul> <li>400g lean pork stir fry strips</li> <li>1 tablespoon oil</li> <li>3 tablespoons soy sauce</li> <li>1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated</li> <li>1 clove garlic, crushed</li> <li>1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds</li> <li>2 tablespoons BBQ sauce</li> <li>100g snow peas</li> <li>2 tablespoons pickled ginger</li> <li>1 red capsicum, sliced</li> <li>2 tablespoons fried garlic</li> <li>Udon noodles, to serve</li> <li>Pickled ginger to garnish, to serve</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Place the pork stir fry strips into a large non-metallic bowl with the oil, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, sesame seeds and BBQ sauce. Mix well and marinate for up to 24 hours.</li> <li>Heat a little oil in the wok and stir-fry the pork over a high heat for 4-5 minutes, remove and set aside.</li> <li>Add the snow peas, capsicum and pickled ginger to the wok and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Return the pork to the wok and toss in the fried garlic.</li> <li>Serve pork stir fry over the udon noodles (prepared to packet instructions). Garnish with a little extra pickled ginger.</li> </ol> Recipe courtesy of <a href="http://www.pork.com.au/home-page-consumer.aspx" target="_blank">Australian Pork.</a> Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</a>. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/08/kung-pao-chicken/">Kung pao chicken</a> <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/06/bbq-pork-cutlet-with-sunshine-salsa/">BBQ pork cutlet with sunshine salsa</a> <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/06/pulled-pork-coleslaw-mayo-burgers/">Pulled pork and coleslaw burgers with chipotle mayo</a>

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Salty peanut and sesame cookies

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Fried chicken wings with honey and sesame glaze

Sesame and ginger BBQ pork stir fry