Beef rendang

In Malaysia, there is hardly a festive occasion that will not include "rendang daging" amongst its' meals. It is a fabulous dish that marries tender beef, coconut, numerous spices and of course the heat of dried chillies, all in a fabulous rich gravy!

 

Ingredients

Vegetable oil

3 cm cinnamon stick

2 cloves

4 star anise

2 cardamon pods

600 g topside beef cubed

250 ml coconut milk

2 teaspoons tamarind pulp

2 kaffir lime leaves very finely sliced

1 tumeric leaf, very finely sliced

2 tablespoons kerisik (ground cooked coconut - see below)

1.5 teaspoons sugar

for the spice paste:

2 shallots

2 cm galangal

3 lemon grass

2 cm ginger

10 dried chillies soaked in water

Firstly let's start with the spice paste. Chop the ingredients before placing in a blender and puree into a smooth paste.  

In a hot pan add a little oil and the following: the spice paste, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and cardamom. Fry over a moderate heat for 5 minutes, the aromas will be wonderful I can assure you! Now add the beef, coconut milk and the tamarind. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered. Turn the ingredients frequently until the meat is nearly cooked through, approximately 30 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare the kerisik by roasting 300 g of grated fresh coconut on a flat baking tray in a moderate oven (170 C) until brown. Let the coconut cool and then grind finely.

Add the kerisik, lime and tumeric leaves, sugar and salt to the pot, stirring to mix well.

Continue to cook on a low heat until the meat is really tender and the gravy has all but dried out. This should take between 1 and 1.5 hours.

I find that the rendang tastes infinitely better the next day (in common with many stews and curries), however it is still wonderful served with boiled rice immediately after cooking.

Enjoy a totally authentic taste of Malaysia ! Fabulous!

Comments

[aforkfulofspaghetti]

That looks very much like the real deal - yum!

[Paul]

Thanks - it is !

you have a great blog by the way!

[Jane]

Where did you find turmeric leaf in London?

[Paul]

Hi Jane, the spice shop in Notting Hill 0207 221 4448 stocks tumeric leaf.