Homemade Beef jerky, or, The beauty of a dehydrator

A dehydrator is one of the handiest tools I ever spent $60 on. Jerky is really the main thing that I use it for, but I put plenty of fruit (pineapple especially) in it, let it dry, then mix with some nuts and seeds for a good little trail mix.
   Any of these snacks are great for just keeping around when needing something to take on the go.

Jerky is pretty simple to make, I prefer beef, so that's what is in the photos. Flank steak is a good, lean meat works really well. For a nice, softer jerky, cut slices against the grain, so that it will pull apart more easily later. If you are a real jerky afficionado, you know that jerky is supposed to be chewy, so cut the flank steak along the grain.

As for spices, use whatever you've got that you think will go well together. This is a little photo of spices that i use, some smoked paprika, cayenne, coriander, cumin, garam masala, tumeric (though just a pinch...turmeric will add bitterness if too much is used!), add a bit of balsamic vinegar....mix all the spices with about a cup of water, then add the beef strips, marinate for a couple of hours at least, or else overnight.
The strips should need anywhere between 2.5 and 5 hours in the defydrator, depending on how thickly you decide you want to slice the beef, and your own preference on moisture left in the meat.
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I like my jerky soft, thick and still slightly moist, so i cut about 1 inch thick slices against the grain, and dehydrate for about 3.5 hours.

More to come about other dried foods in the dehydrator....