The year is 2277, 200 years after the world’s largest nuclear war. During the war, citizens of the United States were told to seek protection in the shelter of the vaults. These underground dwelling areas would save them from the radiation. Growing up in a vault, you are told you could never leave because of the dangers out in the open world. Life is all well and you live by the rules of the vault. This peaceful life comes to a sudden halt when it is found that your dad has escaped the vault. Quickly you pack your bags and follow your father. There has to be a reason he ventured out into the dangerous world. However, once out, you realize what people have said about the world isn’t too far from the truth. The area is barren and filled with creatures wanting to kill you. Still, there are cities filled with people who are just as friendly as anyone in the vault. Hopefully with the help of these people you can find out what your dad is trying to accomplish!
Fallout 3 was my first experience with the Fallout series. I enjoyed how, while the game is technically in the future, it appears to be culturally stuck in the 1950s. This retro-future look gave the game a very unique feeling. The one section that remains the most vivid in my memory would be the visit to Vault 112. While you adventure there you encounter a virtual reality simulator. The simulator was placed in the vault to allow the residence to visit virtual utopias and live in a perfect world. Except there is one problem, the residence didn’t realize once you entered these worlds the creator, Dr. Stanislaus Braun, would not allow you to exit. You would be forced to do whatever the creator wanted you to do including “killing” your friends. The major reason this area sticks out is the eerie feeling I got while adventuring throughout the simulation. Everything is in grayscale, you live in a perfect community, your pip-boy is now just a watch… wait a second this is all wrong! As you begin to talk to the locals you slowly learn that things aren’t all perfect. You need to find a way to free all these people stuck in the simulation including yourself!
What would your perfect suburban family be without some good ol’ traditional American cooking? I present to you Salisbury Steak. This is a meal I remember growing up with in school and occasionally at the dinner table at home. I never knew the recipe (for all I know it was a microwave dinner) nor did I grow up in a suburb but I enjoyed it. I decided it was time to recreate this delicious meal from scratch. I would consider this recipe to not be too difficult, but it can take a bit of time to cook.
Required Equipment: Knife, Cutting Board, Frying Pan, Oven-Safe Dish
Servings: 5 Patties
Ingredients:
For Patties:
– 1 lb. Ground Beef
– ½ tsp Thyme
– ½ tsp Pepper
– ¼ cup Bread Crumbs
– 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
– 1 Egg
For Gravy:
– 6-8 Mushrooms
– ½ Large Onion
– 13 oz. Beef Broth
Place the ground beef and all the other ingredients for the patties in the bowl. Mix until everything is finely combined.
Split the meat into five sections and create the patties.
Slice the mushrooms and onions for the gravy. Make sure to keep the slices relatively thin.
Place a frying pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil in the pan. Place the patties and allow them to cook. Flip them when the bottoms have browned (about 4-5 minutes). Allow the other side to cook (about 3-5 minutes). Once they are cooked remove the patties from the pan, leave the heat on, into a baking dish. At this point pre-heat your oven to 375°F.
In the same frying pan if there isn’t much oil left over add about a tablespoon. Add the mushrooms and onions.
Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onions are beginning to become translucent. Add the beef broth and cover it.
Cook until the broth begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. Place the gravy in the baking dish with the meat. Place in the oven and cook for 15 minutes. Serve with some egg noodles and a green vegetable of your choice for that all American classic dinner.
