Authentic Indonesian Beef Rendang: Rich & Spicy Stew Recipe

Rendang Daging Sapi Recipe

Ingredients:

• 500 grams beef, cut into cubes
• 1 whole coconut (for extracting coconut milk)
• Spices to be tied in a bundle:
  • 2 stalks lemongrass, smashed
  • 4 pieces turmeric leaves
  • 5 pieces bay leaves
  • 3 pieces kaffir lime leaves
• Spices to be ground:
  • 100 grams curly red chilies
  • 10 shallots
  • 7 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 7 candlenuts
  • A pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1 segment ginger
  • 2 segments turmeric
  • 1 segment galangal, smashed
  • Sugar and salt, to taste

Steps:

1. Prepare the Beef: Cut the beef into bite-sized cubes and set aside.

2. Extract Coconut Milk: Grate the coconut and extract the milk by mixing it with warm water and straining through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Set the coconut milk aside.

3. Prepare the Spice Bundle: In a small bundle, tie together the lemongrass, turmeric leaves, bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves using a piece of kitchen twine. This will infuse the dish with aromatic flavors as it cooks.

4. Grind the Spices: Use a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder to grind the curly red chilies, shallots, garlic, cumin seeds, candlenuts, nutmeg, black pepper, coriander seeds, ginger, turmeric, and galangal into a smooth paste.

5. Cook the Rendang:

   • In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the coconut milk, spice bundle, and ground spice paste. Stir well and bring to a boil.
   • Once the mixture is boiling, add the beef cubes. It’s important that the liquid reaches a rolling boil before adding the beef to ensure the meat becomes tender and absorbs the flavors properly.
   • Season with sugar and salt according to your taste preferences. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning.

6. Simmer and Reduce:

   • Continue to cook the Rendang, allowing it to simmer until the sauce has thickened and reduced to a rich, almost dry consistency. This process can take several hours, depending on the heat and amount of liquid.
   • Make sure to stir the mixture regularly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning.

7. Finish Cooking: Once the sauce has thickened and the beef is tender, remove the pot from heat. Discard the spice bundle.

8. Serve: Serve the Rendang Daging Sapi hot with steamed rice or your preferred side dishes.

Enjoy this aromatic and flavorful Rendang Daging Sapi, a traditional Indonesian beef stew that’s perfect for special occasions or a comforting meal!