Silly Story: Joel's Secret Recipe

Joel was always good at making do with what he had. One day, while he was out hunting, he stumbled upon a herd of deer. He managed to take one down, but he knew he couldn't eat it all before it went bad.

He remembered a recipe his grandfather used to make for jerky, and decided to give it a try. He mixed together soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and a few spices, and marinated the meat overnight.

The next day, he laid the strips of meat out on a baking sheet and put it in the oven to dry out. The smell filled the house, and when Ellie walked in, she immediately asked what he was making.

"It's a secret recipe," Joel replied with a grin. "But if you're good, maybe I'll let you have a taste."

Ellie couldn't resist, and soon they were both munching on the jerky. "This is really good," Ellie said between bites. "What's in it?"

Joel just smiled and said, "It's a secret. But maybe someday, when you're ready, I'll teach you how to make it."

From that day on, Joel's jerky became a staple in their diet. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still some comfort to be found in the simple things.

Surviving in the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us means having to make do with what you have. One of the best ways to preserve meat is by making jerky, and Joel's recipe is one of the best.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean beef or venison
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Slice the meat into thin strips and set aside.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined.
3. Add the meat to the bowl and toss to coat it evenly in the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
4. Preheat your oven to 170°F (or the lowest setting possible). Place the marinated meat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure the strips aren't touching each other.
5. Bake the meat for 4-6 hours, until it's completely dried out and slightly chewy. Let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.