Authentic Beef Rendang: Rich and Tender Indonesian Stew

Beef Rendang: A Flavorful Indonesian Delight

Ingredients:

• 700 grams beef sirloin (chosen for quicker tenderness)
• 300 ml heavy cream (traditional recipes use coconut milk)
• 2 stalks lemongrass
• 5 kaffir lime leaves
• 100 ml water
• 5 cm cinnamon stick
• Sugar to taste
• Salt to taste
• Seasoning (optional, to taste)
• Cooking oil for sautéing

For the Spice Paste:

• 7 shallots
• 7 garlic cloves
• 5 red curly chilies (or 2 tablespoons chili powder as a substitute)
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons almonds (used as a substitute for candlenuts)
• 2 cm turmeric root
• 3 cm ginger
• 5 cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef:
   Begin by cleaning the beef and cutting it into bite-sized pieces according to your preference. Set aside.

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2. Make the Spice Paste:
   In a blender or food processor, combine shallots, garlic, red chilies (or chili powder), ground coriander, ground nutmeg, almonds, turmeric root, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. Blend into a smooth paste.

3. Sauté the Spice Paste:
   Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until fragrant and slightly caramelized, which should take about 5 minutes.

4. Add Aromatics:
   Incorporate the lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and cinnamon stick into the pot. Sauté briefly to release their essential oils.

5. Cook the Beef:
   Add the beef pieces to the pot and stir to coat them evenly with the spice mixture. Pour in 100 ml of water and cook until the beef starts to brown.

6. Simmer:
   Stir in the heavy cream (or coconut milk for a more traditional flavor). Adjust seasoning with sugar, salt, and optional seasoning according to your taste.

7. Slow Cook:
   Cover the pot and let the beef simmer over medium heat for about 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to ensure the meat cooks evenly and the sauce doesn’t stick to the bottom.

8. Final Touches:
   Taste the rendang and adjust the seasoning if necessary. The dish should be rich and flavorful, with the beef tender and the sauce slightly reduced.

9. Garnish and Serve:
   Garnish with fresh tomato slices and chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dish.

Enjoy this rich and aromatic beef rendang, a true testament to Indonesian cuisine!