Rendang Ayam Recipe
Ingredients:
- 500 grams chicken (cut into pieces)
- 1 packet instant coconut milk
- 2 stalks lemongrass
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
- 1 thumb-sized piece of galangal
- 1 thumb-sized piece of turmeric
- 2 shallots
- 2 cloves garlic
- 15 bird’s eye chilies (adjust to taste for spiciness)
- Salt, to taste
- Ground pepper, to taste
- Seasoning, to taste
- 4 bay leaves
- 2 kaffir lime leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Soy sauce, to taste
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the chicken pieces thoroughly under running water. In a pot, bring water to a boil and briefly cook the chicken pieces for about 10-15 minutes. This will help to remove excess blood and impurities. Drain and set aside.
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Make the Spice Paste: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the spice paste. Peel and chop the shallots, garlic, turmeric, ginger, and galangal. Place these ingredients along with the bird’s eye chilies and ground pepper into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth to create a fragrant spice paste.
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Prepare the Aromatics: Lightly bruise the lemongrass stalks and set aside.
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Cook the Spice Paste: Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until it becomes aromatic and slightly caramelized.
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Add Aromatics and Coconut Milk: Add the lemongrass stalks, bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves to the wok. Stir to combine with the spice paste. Pour in the coconut milk and stir well. Add a small amount of water if needed to reach your desired consistency. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
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Season the Sauce: Before the sauce starts to boil, season with salt, seasoning, and sugar. Stir well and adjust the seasoning to taste. Add a splash of soy sauce for extra flavor and color.
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Combine Chicken with Sauce: Add the pre-cooked chicken pieces to the wok. Stir well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the spice mixture. Adjust the amount of soy sauce according to your taste preference.
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Simmer and Thicken: Allow the dish to simmer gently. Continue cooking until the sauce has reduced and thickened, and the chicken is tender and well-flavored. Occasionally stir the mixture and turn the chicken pieces to ensure even cooking and flavor absorption.
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Serve: Once the sauce has thickened to your liking and the chicken is well-coated with the rich, aromatic sauce, remove from heat. Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes.
This Rendang Ayam is a delightful Indonesian chicken curry, featuring a blend of aromatic spices and creamy coconut milk, perfect for a hearty meal. Enjoy the rich flavors and spicy kick!
