Beef Jerky

Strips of meat are slowly cooked over wood chips, which smokes and preserves the meat. Jerky has been made since ancient times for exactly that reason: It traveled well, and the prepared meat kept for a long time. Well-made jerky is rich and smoky. The word "jerky" itself comes from the Quechua (Inca) word charqui, dried meat. While some people think of jerky as dry and chewy, gourmet products are moist and delicious.