Beef Rendang

Instructions

1. 1

   Chop and Blend Spice Paste

   8 min

   Begin by finely chopping the necessary spice ingredients, such as shallots and any other aromatics. Transfer these chopped ingredients into a food processor and blend until you achieve a smooth, fine paste, ensuring there are no large chunks remaining.

2. 2

   Heat Oil and Cook Spices

   34 min

   In a large stew pot, pour in vegetable oil and heat it over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the blended spice paste along with the cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and cardamom. Stir-fry this mixture for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until it releases a fragrant aroma and starts to darken slightly.

3. 3

   Add Beef and Lemongrass

   14 min

   Introduce the beef into the pot, along with the pounded lemongrass. Stir everything together vigorously for approximately 1 minute, allowing the beef to be coated in the aromatic spice mixture. The beef should start to brown slightly at the edges.

4. 4

   Combine Coconut Cream and Tamarind

   41 min

   Slowly pour in the coconut cream, followed by the tamarind paste and water. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until the beef is nearly cooked through and the sauce begins to bubble.

5. 5

   Add Lime Leaves and Kerisik

   4 min

   Once the beef is almost tender, add the lime leaves, kerisik (toasted coconut), and sugar to the pot. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully with the meat.

6. 6

   Simmer and Tenderize Beef

   1 min

   Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Allow the beef to cook for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until it becomes tender and the sauce thickens to a rich consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and sugar as necessary for balance.

7. 7

   Serve with Steamed Rice

   1 min

   Once the dish is ready, serve the Beef Rendang hot alongside freshly steamed rice. For convenience, feel free to store any leftovers in an airtight container for the next day’s meal.