MINDBENDER Stuart Duncan: Building Bridges in Minecraft for Autistic Individuals
🎮 Meet Stuart Duncan — the innovative creator of AutCraft, the first Minecraft server designed for autistic individuals and their families. Stuart, a single father of two boys (one on the autism spectrum and one not), has built a global online community that fosters confidence, creativity, and connection for people of all ages. 🌟
In our exclusive Zoom interview with Stuart, we explore the incredible journey that led to the creation of AutCraft, the importance of safe spaces for autistic individuals online, and how Minecraft has become a platform for fostering creativity and inclusion.
All hail the majestic Mooshroom! Part mushroom, part cow, entirely delicious.
Toast to Minecraft adventures with this vibrant green bubble tea!
🎥 Watch the Full Interview:
To celebrate Stuart’s incredible contributions to the autistic community and his connection to Minecraft, we’re spotlighting two fun, Minecraft-inspired recipes: the Mooshroom Burger and Slimeball Tea. These recipes are adapted from “Minecraft: Gather, Cook, Eat!” by Tara Theoharis and published by Insight Editions.🍔 Mooshroom Burger Recipe
All hail the majestic Mooshroom! Part mushroom, part cow, entirely delicious.
Ingredients
- Burger Patties:
- 1 ¾ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon truffle salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Mushrooms and Onions:
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 8 ounces assorted mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
- ½ medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Dash kosher salt
- Dash black pepper
- Toppings:
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Dash kosher salt
- Dash black pepper
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 brioche buns, split
- ½ cup arugula
Directions
- Mix the ground beef, truffle salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Form into 4 patties and set aside.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onions, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 7–10 minutes until softened and browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Adjust skillet to high heat and cook patties for 6–8 minutes on each side, until internal temperature reaches 160°F. During the last minute of cooking, add a slice of Swiss cheese to each patty to melt.
- Mix mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make a garlic aioli.
- Toast brioche buns and spread aioli on the inside of each bun.
- Assemble burgers with arugula, burger patties, and mushroom mixture. Enjoy!
🧋 Slimeball Tea Recipe
Toast to Minecraft adventures with this vibrant green bubble tea!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup tapioca pearls
- 2 tablespoons hot (not boiling) water
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- Ice
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
Directions
- Make a simple syrup by combining sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook tapioca pearls according to packaging (about 12 minutes). Drain and place in simple syrup.
- Whisk matcha powder with hot water until dissolved.
- Fill a tall glass with ¼ cup cooked tapioca pearls, ice, milk, and matcha. Stir to combine. Serve with a wide straw and enjoy!
Support Stuart Duncan
If you’d like to support Stuart Duncan and his incredible work with AutCraft, consider contributing:
👇 Follow Stuart Duncan