those damn yankees! [and their food]

[jaberwocky]

can anyone enlighten me as to what exactly is 'beef jerky' or 'jerked beef ' wife reckons it's sort of cajun style i.e hot. now, she's a head cook so i'd be delighted if she was proved wrong [for a change] thanks.

[bellasasha]

its smoked dried beef...you can buy it in all the supermarkets here

my brother lives on the stuff!!

[Clanad]

They are actually two different things. 'Jerked beef' usually refers to a spicy, mostly Carribean method of cooking beef... here's an example recipe:
2 green onions, coarsely chopped
1 small Serrano or jalapeno chiles, seeded and chopped
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 boneless chuck eye steaks (about 8 ounces each), at least 2 inches thick
In a food processor, combine green onions, chiles, spices, vinegar and oil. Process until a paste forms, scraping down sides as needed. Rub steaks on both sides with mixture; refrigerate 1 hour. Grill or broil steaks 5 minutes per side for medium doneness.

Whereas 'Beef Jerky' is spiced, thin strips of cheap cuts of beef, such as flank steak. skirt steak or brisket that are then oven or dehydrator dried for a long period of time. Here's an example:
http://www.smokehousejerky.net/products.htm

It's an acquired taste since it's quite chewy and usually very peppery, but most here really like it...

[Bohne]

beef jerkey is also available in England...
It is dried and seasoned beef!