Beef Rendang (Spicy Beef Stew with Coconut)

After not cooking meat for a while i thought why not try cooking Rendang, it is sort of like a dish you can't go wrong. No beef rendang is made the same. It is a stew that is cook patiently over very low heat so as to dry up the liquid and make the meat tender. Another fact also is, it only gets better with time, so much so that the Minangkabaus(The tribe where the dish is origin from) save them for months as the complex taste and flavour develop over time.


I like to cook a large pot of it and of cause i cannot resist eating it right away when done but still plenty to store in my freezer for whenever i have the craving its just there. The flavours is so good, i just love the feel of the meat melting in your mouth. I am so happy with the results the flavour was spot on!


Ingredients

1 1/2 pound boneless beef short ribs, cut to cubes
5 tbsp cooking oil
2 cinnamon stick
6 cloves
4 star anise
4 cardamon pods
2 lemongrass, cut to 4 inch lenght and bruised
1 cup thick coconut milk
1 cup water
2 tsp tamarind pulp, soaked in warm water for the juice and discard the seeds
6 kaffir lime leaves, very finely sliced
7 tbsp of kerisik, toasted coconut ( if fresh ones not available you can sub it with dessicated coconut)
1 tbsp palm sugar or to taste
salt to taste

Spice Paste
5 shallots
1 inch galangal
3 lemon grass, white part only
5 cloves garlic
1 inch ginger
10-12 dried chillies, soaked in hot water to soften

Method

• Place all the spice paste ingredients and blend it in a food processor to a paste.
• Heat the oil in a stew pot, add the spice paste, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and cardamom and stir fry them until fragrant.
• Add the beef and the bruised lemongrass and stir for 1 minute.
• Add the coconut milk, tamarind juice,water and simmer on medium heat, stirring frequently until the meat is almost tender.
• Add the lime leaves,toasted coconut, palm sugar, stirring to blend well with the meat.
• Lower the heat to low,cover the lid and simmer for 11/2 - 2 hrs or until the meat is really tender and gravy has dried up.
• Try the gravy and season to taste as your liking.
• Serve with steamed rice.