Thai Beef Jerky

I used to go to a Thai restaurant near where I lived that had an appetizer called Thai Beef Jerky. Basically, it was small beef chunks that had been cooked in some spices and lime and served warm. Very tasty, but not real beef jerky. I experimented and came up with this approximation that's easy and tasty.

Take some stew beef (or whatever beef you have on hand, but NOT ground beef)and cut into very small strips about two inches long and half an inch in depth and width. Sprinkle with a coarse salt. I use kosher salt. Put the beef in a bowl and pour two tablespoons of lime juice over it. Stir to thoroughly coat. Spread the beef in a shallow cookie pan and make sure that none of it is touching any other piece of beef. Place in 250 degree oven. Check in an hour and loosen any beef that is stuck to the pan. Sprinkle liberally with more lime juice. Check in an hour and shake the beef around the pan. Sprinkle more lime juice over. Check in half hour increments until the beef is at the stage you prefer. Some like if softer, and some like it more brittle. Try not to overcook. Add lime juice as personal taste dictates. Take out of oven and cool for ten minutes, then serve. Any leftovers can be put in a plastice bag and stored in the fridge.

Very good stuff and lasts a long time. Take care!