Thursday, April 21, 2011

RENDANG

Some years ago I am stocking up on spices at a Pakistani grocery.  On my way out I see some envelope packets like the ones you normally see in supermarkets, the ones for chili or gravies and such.

 One I notice had an unusual name: “Rendang”. I’d never heard of it and pick it up.  It says Beef chili with coconut, which interested me, so I purchased the packet.  The directions were a little strange, like – cook for two whistles.  I later realized it referred to a pressure cooker that makes a whistling sound every so often.

But I cooked that Rendang and it tasted wonderful.  I learned that Rendang is an important dish in Indonesia; they have that rice table down there, I love rice.

An American oil worker gave me this recipe back in the 1980’s.  He got it from a family in Jakarta. Let’s make some of this exotic, tasty Rendang.        Serves 8

Ingredients:
3 lb (1.5Kg) chuck steak, cut into 1- inch cubes
4- 13.5 ounce cans (1.75 litres) coconut milk
3 medium onions, cut into quarters and sliced
5 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon of minced gingerroot
4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1-teaspoon galangal, chopped (if unavailable, omit)
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 bay leaves
1-teaspoon salt

Method:
Put every ingredient in a big deep skillet or heavy pot.  Simmer uncovered for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally during the first hour, and a little more frequently towards the end, tasting for salt. The remaining liquid should be mostly absorbed into the meat.

This delicious Sumatran stew is good served atop steamed rice.  Join the millions who love it.

13 comments:

Al Penwasser said...

It may look regurgitated, but I love that kind of stuff!

Unknown said...

I've only recently been introduced to Thai food. Coconut milk has so many uses! This recipe sounds like it is worth a try.

Bonnie said...

Now that sounds yummy!!! I made Pancit tonight!!

anthony stemke said...

Thank you all for your interest.
When coconut milk was on sale for 80 cents each I bought 20 cans.
I wonder if rice noodles and pork were in your pancit, BREA.
I like noodles almost as much as rice.

Lindsay N. Currie said...

Oh my god, it's only breakfast time here and this looks FANTASTIC. I'm starving now LOL:)

Rekha said...

Nice blog you have here...pity i am a vegetarian or would have definitely tried one of these. good luck with the atoz.

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Mmmm, I want some! I love rice, too. Glad you enjoyed your family, you're a great grandparent. Wish there was more like you here. :)

♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

Gregg Metcalf said...

Well, I must say this dish looks very good. I have to admit however, of all the types of food I have eaten I have never eaten Pakastani dishes.

I will have to try this recipe. I love to try new ones and I have actually cooked several I have found in blogs. Thanks.

Mary said...

It sounds lovely--wanna come cook it for me? Ha! I kid. Pressure cookers have always freaked me out (I know they don't really explode much anymore but still) so I'll probably have to try this in a restaurant or convince one of my fab Pakistani friends to cook it for me. V. cool A-Z Blog posts!

Unknown said...

Sounds yummy! I'm going to have to give this a try :)

Jessica Thompson said...

Mmmm I'm gonna try this tonight! Come check me out, alphabetalife.blogspot.com

Samantha Vérant said...

That does sound delicious, but I don't think it would go over in my house. The kids palettes aren't that sophisticated---and they detest most spices. More for me and the hubs, I guess???

Unknown said...

this looks and sounds amazing! I love indian food. It's sooo difficult to find in Sicily though :( Actually, there isn't really any ethnic food around here. except for kebabs and the occasionally overpriced mexican food.

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