- 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed and drained
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 1/2 cups boiling water
- 3 ounces beef jerky, cut into 1-inch pieces (see note)
- 1 large dried tree ear mushroom
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 small sweet potato, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1/2 cup toasted whole almonds
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rice with the 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat for 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff the rice and let cool completely.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, pour 2 cups of the boiling water over the beef jerky. Cover and let stand until pliable, about 30 minutes. Drain the jerky and coarsely chop it.
- In a small bowl, cover the tree ear mushroom with the remaining 1/2 cup of boiling water and let stand until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain and chop the tree ear into 1-inch pieces; if using shiitakes, discard the stems and chop the caps.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion, sweet potato and ginger and cook over low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Raise the heat to high and add the beef jerky, tree ears and almonds. Stir-fry until heated through. Add the rice and soy sauce and stir-fry to break up the rice and heat it through. Season with salt. Stir in the scallion and serve.