Rendang Daging Sapi: A Rich and Flavorful Indonesian Beef Stew
Ingredients:
- 1 kg beef (cut into chunks)
- 2 grated coconuts (extract the coconut milk)
- 20 shallots
- 10 garlic cloves
- 4 large red chilies (adjust according to your spice preference)
- A piece of galangal (about 5 cm)
- A piece of ginger (about 5 cm)
- 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
- 3 bay leaves
- 3 kaffir lime leaves
- 2 turmeric leaves
- Lemongrass stalk, bruised
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 1 beef bouillon cube (or equivalent seasoning)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Ingredients:
- Begin by cutting the beef into bite-sized chunks. Rinse the beef under cold water and set aside to drain.
- Extract the coconut milk from the grated coconuts and set aside.
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Blend the Spice Paste:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the shallots, garlic, red chilies, galangal, and ginger. Blend until you achieve a smooth paste.
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Cook the Base:
- In a large pot, bring the coconut milk to a simmer over medium heat. Add the blended spice paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the coconut milk.
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Add the Aromatics:
- To the pot, add the kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves, turmeric leaves, and bruised lemongrass. Stir well to combine with the spice paste.
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Simmer the Beef:
- Add the beef chunks to the pot, stirring to coat them in the spice mixture. Season with salt and the beef bouillon cube.
- Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens. This process can take about 1 to 1.5 hours if cooking on the stovetop. For a quicker method, use a pressure cooker: seal and cook under high pressure for about 25 minutes after the cooker reaches pressure. Once the pressure releases, transfer the contents to a regular pot if necessary.
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Final Touches:
- If you used a pressure cooker, move the beef and sauce to a regular pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency and coats the beef well.
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Serve:
- Once the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat. Serve your Rendang Daging Sapi hot with steamed rice.
Enjoy this aromatic and deeply flavorful Indonesian beef stew, perfect for any occasion and sure to impress your family and friends!
