Indonesian Curry: Beef Rendang
In 2017, CNN Travel ran a poll to find the world's most delicious food. According to the results, Indonesian beef rendang was voted the world's tastiest dish. Let's learn that recipe today.
- Serves 8
- 4 hr
- January 4, 2021
Ingredients
- Beef (1 kg)
- Coconut milk (1 liter)
- Onions (2 large)
- Dried chilies (5–6)
- Ginger (2–3 pieces)
- Garlic (7–8 cloves)
- Cardamom (6)
- Cinnamon (4–5 sticks)
- Cloves (4–5)
- Bay leaves (1–2)
- Star anise (1)
- Turmeric powder (1 teaspoon)
- Chili powder (1 teaspoon)
- Cumin powder (1 teaspoon)
- Coriander powder (1/2 teaspoon)
- Tamarind pulp (2 tablespoons)
- Oil (1 tablespoon)
- Salt (to taste)
- Lemongrass (3–4 stalks)
Method
- Set aside 1–2 dried chilies. Grind the remaining dried chilies, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, star anise, and all the ground spices together into a fine powder. Blend the onions, ginger, and garlic in a blender, then mix in the ground spices until well combined.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pot and add the spice paste. When the spices are lightly fried, add 2 tablespoons of tamarind pulp and salt to taste. Stir for 2–3 minutes, then add the beef cut into small pieces. Stir well. At this stage, add 1 liter of coconut milk and stir thoroughly. Reduce the heat to very low.
- This dish needs to cook on very low heat for at least 3–4 hours. Stir every 10–15 minutes so it does not stick to the bottom. When the coconut milk has reduced by about half, add the lemongrass and the reserved dried chilies cut in half. The rendang is done when the liquid has evaporated and the curry is almost dry. Remove the lemongrass and serve.