Celebrity Chef Goes Viral for His Genius Last-Minute School Snack for Kids
He's just made the lives of parents everywhere so much easier.
On Wednesday, the satirical news outlet The Onion published a piece entitled, "Son Needs Costume, 30 Individually Wrapped Treats Tomorrow Morning For Some School Celebration," which parodied the fact that, in today's day and age, parents are often told last minute that they're going to need to scramble to make an elaborate outfit and create snacks for every kid in their child's class for some social event meant to bolster their child's development.
While the piece was satirical, it was retweeted by celebrity chef Adam Liaw, who said "No kidding, but my son has been as school for exactly ONE TERM and this has already happened about 9 times."
No kidding, but my son has been as school for exactly ONE TERM and this has already happened about 9 times. https://t.co/WJVQo443bl
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 20, 2019
So Liaw, who won the second season of MasterChef Australia, in 2010, decided to take on his greatest culinary challenge yet: to create something that parents could make 25 portions of in five minutes. It would also need to be easily refrigerated for 8 hours, to fit in Tupperware, to weigh less than two pounds, to not contain dairy, eggs, or nuts, and to be able to "survive a bus ride in a school backpack without destroying its integrity." It was, to say the least, an ambitious endeavor.
It will also fit in a standard Tupperware, cost less than $10 in ingredients, weigh less than 1 kg for transport, and be able to survive a bus ride in a school backpack without destroying its integrity. I GOT YOU ON THIS PARENTS.
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 20, 2019
People were skeptical. Surely, it couldn't be done. But, folks, he did it. Introducing (drum roll, please)… "Fat Pocky."
OK, this is what I came up with this afternoon – Fat Pocky. pic.twitter.com/7l9goboohr
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 21, 2019
First, you take 375 grams of dark chocolate and put it in the microwave "for 1 minute, then blasts of 30 seconds until it's melted."
Just microwave the chocolate for 1 minute, then blasts of 30 seconds until it's melted. Probably 3-4 minutes all up.
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 21, 2019
Then start dunking the breadsticks into the melted chocolate before laying them out on a tray of baking paper.
Shake off as much chocolate as you can. You'll need to top up the glass with a teaspoon or so of chocolate every 2-3 sticks. Then lay them on a tray of baking paper.
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 21, 2019
Liaw suggested shaking as much of the chocolate off as you can because you're making this for kids, after all.
Yes, they'd look more like Pocky if there was more chocolate but that's not really the point is it. I'd prefer my kids ate less chocolate and frankly if they're mostly eating a breadstick I DO NOT CARE. I NEED YOU TO FOCUS.
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 21, 2019
Then you just scatter some sprinkles over them and, voila, you're done!
Then you're just scattering them with some sprinkles. pic.twitter.com/C7nGmXFfFM
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 21, 2019
The whole endeavor only takes 10 minutes so it's perfect for busy parents. And it only costs $7 to buy all of the ingredients, so it's great for any budget.
You're going to need:
25 plain breadsticks – $2.50
375g dark chocolate – $2.50
a pack of sugar strands or nonpareil – $2
TOTAL: $7.00 pic.twitter.com/YMopaPjAuM— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 21, 2019
Plus, they're fun to make, so you might even be able to get your kids to make their own snacks, which is simply genius.
This is where you end up after about 10 minutes of dunking and sprinkling. Of course, if you get the kids to do them themselves this will take YOU zero minutes. You can even make them fancier if you want. For example… pic.twitter.com/UrkxE7lIKL
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 21, 2019
And if you're big on crafts, you can even spice them up by adding some edible decorations like these stars or eyes/mustaches.
Here are some that look like people. They sell these in the baking aisle of a regular supermarket like it's no big deal. pic.twitter.com/WAiX6hcpah
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 21, 2019
Imagine how excited the kids will be when they open a container that looks like this:
And here's the whole gang in a Tupperware that your kid will somehow lose even though they spend the entire day in ONE ROOM. Total weight = 400g (including Tupperware). pic.twitter.com/ZW2KWHyvWN
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) March 21, 2019
Needless to say, Liaw's creation quickly went viral, and parents everywhere are in awe of his achievement.
You are a genius. Your name will always be spoken of with awe and gratitude.
— steph mcneill (@cookingcyclist1) March 21, 2019
He's basically their new hero.
Not all heros wear capes. I feel like hugging you
— Svetlana Stankovic (@SvetlaStankovic) March 21, 2019
And even people who don't have kids were impressed and inspired.
I found this thread wildly interesting and I don't even have kids
— Safia van der Zwan (@SafiaAlexis) March 21, 2019
On behalf of frazzled parents everywhere, Liaw, we thank you. And for more amazing ways to be a culinary whiz, check out the 40 Dishes Everyone Over 40 Should Master!
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