Unlock the Flavor of Chicken and Veggies in One Dish
Ingredients
Approximately 1.5 lbs of skinless, boneless chicken thighs, neatly cut into 1” pieces. This ensures that each bite is packed with flavor and tenderness. We also use 2/3 C of mayonnaise, which adds a rich and creamy texture to the dish. Along with 1 can of quartered artichokes, drained to remove any excess liquid and retain their delicious flavor. 1 C of cherry tomatoes, adding a burst of color and sweetness. 2 large handfuls of roughly chopped spinach, providing a healthy dose of greens. 2 garlic cloves, minced to release their aromatic essence. The zest and juice of 1 lemon, which gives a refreshing tang. Salt and pepper to season the chicken and enhance the overall flavor. 1/2 sweet yellow onion, chopped finely to add a subtle sweetness. 1/2 tsp of garlic powder for an extra garlicky kick. Dried oregano and dried rosemary to infuse the dish with Mediterranean flavors. Italian seasoning (or other such herbs) to tie it all together. And finally, 1/4 C of grated Parmesan for that cheesy finish.
In a large bowl, we combine the chicken, spinach, tomatoes, onion, Parmesan, and herbs. This creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Then, we add the mayonnaise mix, which coats the chicken and veggies thoroughly, ensuring that every bite is delicious. Transfer this mixture to a baking dish and let it bake in the oven at 400 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, the chicken cooks through and the flavors meld together, creating a mouthwatering dish. Serve it over rice or pasta to soak up all the delicious juices. This dish serves 4, making it perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends.
Directions
First, heat the oven to 400 degrees. This ensures that the dish cooks evenly and reaches the perfect temperature. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, garlic, lemon zest and juice, and approximately 1/2 tsp of both salt and pepper. This creates a flavorful marinade for the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper to season it. Then, in the large bowl, combine the chicken, spinach, tomatoes, onion, Parmesan, and herbs. Add the mayonnaise mix and coat the chicken and veggies thoroughly. Transfer this mixture to a baking dish and bake for approximately 30 minutes. Keep an eye on the dish to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked. Once the chicken is cooked through, it's ready to serve. Serve it over rice or pasta and enjoy the delicious flavors. This dish is not only delicious but also easy to make, making it a great option for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Revolutionize Your Game Update Experience with Steam's New Settings
Understanding the Need for Enhanced Control
In regards to game updates, Valve emphasizes the importance of finding a balance. The automatic settings typically prioritize updates for recently played games and bundle those for less-played games for later download. This works well in most cases, but some users, especially those with metered connections or bandwidth caps, may want more control. For instance, imagine having a 200GB game like God of War: Ragnarok sitting on your PC, being updated for months while you keep playing other games. You might want updates for the latter to be downloaded instantly, but not for the former until you're ready to play again.This new section added to the "Downloads" tab in the Steam client offers two main options. You can set the default to "let Steam decide when to update the game (based on factors like when you last played the game, bandwidth availability, etc.)" or wait to update until the game is launched. Additionally, you can set specific game overrides by selecting "Game Properties" on titles in your library, and these overrides will be visible in the "Downloads" section under "Manage Exceptions."
The significance of these settings becomes evident when considering the storage requirements of modern games. Take Stalker 2, which requires about 154GB of storage and has had multiple large patches since release. Some games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Black Myth: Wukong, and Horizon games all consume over 100GB. Even games like Ark: Survival Evolved, with a base install size of around 130GB, can expand to 300GB+ with expansions and DLC.
The Impact on Different Users
Users with fast and unmetered connections like myself are in a fortunate position. However, the use case for those with limited resources is undeniable. It allows them to manage their bandwidth more efficiently and only update games when they truly need to. For example, a casual gamer who plays a particular game once a week might not want to constantly download updates. With these new settings, they can have more control and only update when they are ready to play.On the other hand, a dedicated gamer who plays the same game every night will appreciate the option to have updates downloaded as soon as they are available. This ensures that they are always playing the latest version of the game without any delays.
Valve's Approach and Future Plans
Valve signs off with a touch of humility, highlighting their "robust set of existing download options" and expressing their willingness to hear from users about additional settings they'd like to see. While there is no set timeline for when these beta features will be rolled out to non-beta users, it's clear that Steam is committed to providing the best possible experience for its users.The company's focus on balancing user needs with efficient use of resources is evident in these new settings. As game file sizes continue to grow, having more control over updates becomes increasingly important. Steam's efforts in this area are a step in the right direction, ensuring that users can enjoy their games without being overwhelmed by large download sizes.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.Uniting Cinema and Gaming in a Unique Narrative
First-Person Cinema vs. Gaming
Nickel Boys stands out with its almost exclusive use of first-person point-of-view shots. While not the first to attempt this style, it is rare in sustained film narratives. Comparisons can be drawn to Robert Montgomery's 1947 film noir Lady in the Lake and various other examples in different mediums. But in gaming, this perspective has been commonplace since the early days.Video game developers have been placing virtual cameras in 3D spaces since 1992 with Wolfenstein 3D. Even before that, they faked it in role-playing games. Players have always wanted to see through their characters' eyes. However, the purpose in Nickel Boys is not about immersion in action but generating empathy and challenging identity notions.
There are many examples in gaming where first-person is combined with different elements to create unique psychological realities. Games like The Chinese Room's Dear Esther, Fullbright's Gone Home, Campo Santo's Firewatch, and Giant Sparrow's What Remains of Edith Finch explore family histories and personal tragedies.
Editing and Perspective Shifts
The film's editing is a powerful aspect. It plays the two protagonists' perspectives against each other, splicing and lining them up for stunning moments of convergence. This is a technique rarely seen in video games, although there are some good examples like Brendon Chung's Thirty Flights of Loving.Occasionally, Ross breaks out of first person to take a third-person view, tightly framed behind a character's shoulders, creating a destabilizing effect. Shots like the poster shot of the two boys looking up into a ceiling mirror together are both artistically and emotionally captivating.
Comparing Cinematic and Gaming Narratives
There is a level of sophistication and playfulness in how Ross sets up the movie's first-person form and breaks it that is not often seen in games. But the subjective, enveloping storytelling that Nickel Boys taps into is familiar to most gamers.For those currently captivated by the film, dipping into some gaming's first-person greats would be a worthwhile experience. Nickel Boys opens in limited release on Dec. 13 and expands to wide release on Jan. 3, 2025.