Originally from Indonesia though now more well known as a Malaysia curry, the sauce is made with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom and star anise as well as fresh aromatics including lemongrass, garlic, ginger and galangal.
Unlike many curries, Beef Rendang is a dry curry which means there is not loads of sauce. However, the meat is so ridiculously tender and has a thick coating of sauce on each piece, so when the meat literally falls apart at a touch, it mixes through rice, flavoring it like saucy curries.
If you love South East Asian curries, Beef Rendang is without a doubt one of the best!
Ingredients:
=> 3 tbsp neutral oil (such as avocado oil)
=> 2 tbsp plain flour (all-purpose flour) or cornflour (cornstarch)
=> pinch salt and pepper
=> 800 g (1.8 lbs) braising / stewing beef cut into large chunks (approx 3-4cm)
=> 1 large brown onion peeled and chopped
=> 5 cloves garlic peeled and minced
=> 2 tbsp minced ginger
=> 1 tsp turmeric
=> 2 lemongrass stalks discard the outer leaves, and finely slice the lemongrass (you can replace this with 2 tsp of lemongrass paste)
=> 2 red chilies chopped. (I use hot red chilies as the heat cooks out during cooking).
=> 1 tsp tamarind paste
=> 1 tbsp ground coriander
=> 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
=> ½ tsp cinnamon
=> 2 kaffir lime leaves fresh or freeze dried
=> 3 tbsp dark brown muscovado sugar
=> ½ tsp salt
To Serve (Optional):
=> boiled rice or egg fried rice
=> spring onions (scallions) sliced into thin strips
=> fresh red chilies sliced
Preparation:
=> Preheat the oven to 150C / 300F (fan) and place a large cast iron casserole dish on the hob (stove top).
=> Add 2 tbsp of the oil and heat on a high heat. Mix the flour with a pinch of salt and pepper, and coat the beef chunks with the flour.
=> Place the beef in the hot oil and brown (you may need to do this in two batches). Remove from the pan and place the sealed beef in a bowl.
=> Add the remaining 1 tbsp of oil to the pan and then add in the onion. Turn down the heat and cook slowly for a couple of minutes whilst stirring (scrape up any crispy bits on the pan as you go).
=> Add in the garlic, ginger, and turmeric and cook for another couple of minutes whilst stirring. At this point, you may find that the base of the casserole dish is starting to get quite brown and the onions may be beginning to stick a little. If so, add a splash of cold water to prevent the pan from burning.
=> Add in the lemongrass, chilies, tamarind paste, ground coriander, pepper, cinnamon, lime leaves, sugar, and salt. Mix together and allow to cook for a minute.
=> Add in the coconut milk and bring to a gentle bubble, stirring to ensure nothing is sticking to the base of the casserole dish.
=> Add the beef back in and stir. Place a lid on and put in the oven. Cook for 90 minutes – giving the curry a stir after 45 minutes.
=> After 90 minutes, give everything a stir again and ensure nothing is sticking, then remove the lid and continue to cook in the oven, uncovered for another 2-2.5 hours. Stir very gently every half an hour (to ensure you don’t break up the beef chunks).
=> Towards the last hour of cooking time, you’ll see that the sauce is going darker and the oil is separating and rising to the top.
=> If you like a bit of sauce with your rendang then take your rendang out of the oven when there is a bit of oil on top, and is still quite saucy underneath.
=> If you prefer your rendang drier, then leave it to cook for longer. Keep a close eye on it to ensure it doesn’t burn. Stir gently and often. Drain any remaining oil off before serving. Gently stir the rendang, and then serve with rice and sprinkled with strips of spring onion (scallions)
=> Serve Hot with choice of Rice Dishes or additional Egg Dishes.
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