● Salted butter, at room temperature, 1 stick/113g

● Brown sugar, ½ cup/100g

● Granulated sugar, ½ cup/100g

● Tahini, well-stirred, 2/3 cup/150g

● Egg, 1

● Vanilla extract, 1½ teaspoons

● Flour, 1¼ cups/150g

● Salt, 1 teaspoon

● Baking soda, 1 teaspoon

● Semisweet or bitter chocolate chunks or chips, 9 ounces/250g

● Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

● Add butter, tahini, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Cream everything together by beating with a mixer. On medium speed, beat it for about 5 minutes until the mixture gets light and fluffy.

● Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat again for about 1 minute until well combined.

● Then, add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix on low speed until combined. Next, add the chocolate chips or chunks and stir well.

● Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the cookie dough in the fridge overnight or at least for 2 hours. Skip this step if you prefer thinner and crispier-edged cookies.

● Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

● Scoop the cookie dough and roll the scoops into golf ball-like portions. Rest the dough at room temperature for 10 minutes if too firm to scoop.

● Place the scoops on the lined baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches of space between each. Gently press the top of each scoop with your palm. It will flatten the tops of the cookies but still leave them about 1 inch thick.

● Now, bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-11 minutes. The bottom edges of the cookies should turn golden but still pale in color and barely set in the middle.

● Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately sprinkle flaky sea salt on the tops. Let them cool at room temperature, and serve!

Ever since we were kids, making friends was one thing that came naturally to all of us. Whether it was our first day at a new school or meeting new people in a city we just moved to, one thing that kept all of us going were our friends. However, as each of us grew older, we started drifting apart. Some moved to a new city for college while some simply moved on. Now, as an adult, making new friends has become the most tedious task. Unlike the good old days, we now introspect before letting anyone in our personal space. We do talk to our colleagues and joke around a bit here and there, but can we really call them friends? Well, let’s put an end to this and understand how you can actually make good friends as an adult.

Look for People With Similar Interests

Your hobbies, your likes, and even your dislikes can make a huge difference in making friends. You need someone who understands when you talk about your passion, people you can take spin classes with, or simply have a gossip session with over your favorite coffee. The best way to do this is by joining a hobby club, this is where you can come across people who share similar interests with you and start a conversation with them. Join a book club or a class that caters to your hobby and you might find like-minded people there.

Be Approachable

We all hate people who are looking at their phones while we talk to them. Do not be that person. When you are in a social gathering, try to look interested, approachable, and warm. No one is going to come and initiate a conversation with someone who doesn’t even bother to look up from their electronic devices. Make sure you let the world know that you are here to socialize, otherwise simply hang out in your room with your phone.

Be the Person With Positive Vibes

Instead of complaining about how you could have stayed at home, or how bad the food is, try to put forward positive vibes. Talk to people about what you like at that very moment, or how much you enjoy meeting your potential future friends. In fact, appreciating something around you can also be a great icebreaker and can help you continue the conversation. Just make sure you come off as polite and not some cold stranger.

Have One-on-One Interactions

Suppose you went to a party with your colleagues and hit it off with someone from the group, what next? Well, if you think this person is someone you can be friends with, make an effort. Go ahead and plan a one-on-one meeting with them. Hang out, go for lunch, grab a coffee before work, and interact. Talk about yourself and learn new things about them and do things together that excite you both. However, if you are not too comfortable with private meetings, invite them to another, smaller gathering, and talk. The first step matters the most to start off what can be a great friendship.