How To Make Beef Rendang - Indonesia’s No. 1 Beef Curry | Naz It Up

Summary

In this video, host Shannaz shares a scrumptious recipe for Indonesian beef rendang, a caramelized curry celebrated as one of the world's best foods by CNN. She meticulously prepares a rich curry paste with aromatics like garlic, galangal, and turmeric, then slow-cooks beef in coconut milk until tender. The dish is enhanced with coconut butter and tamarind juice, resulting in a flavorful, caramelized masterpiece. This detailed tutorial promises to guide viewers through creating a delicious, traditional rendang perfect for a weekend feast.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Rendang is a highly acclaimed curry, once named the number one among 50 best foods by CNN.
• 🌍 There are many variations of rendang, with differences found in Indonesian and Malaysian versions.
• 🍲 The recipe involves slow cooking meat in a curry for several hours, making it ideal for weekend gatherings.
• 🌿 The rendang curry paste is made from a blend of dry and fresh aromatics, including red chilies, shallots, garlic, galangal, ginger, and turmeric.
• 🥥 Candlenuts, native to Indonesia, are used for their thickening properties and velvety texture in the sauce.
• 🐂 The choice of protein is important; beef is preferred for rendang due to its suitability for long, slow cooking.
• 🔥 The cooking process involves sautéing the meat in the curry paste until it loses its raw color before adding coconut milk.
• 🌱 Kaffir lime leaves are essential for adding a distinct aromatic flavor to the curry.
• 🍯 Seasoning includes salt and palm sugar, with the latter contributing to the caramelization process.
• 🕒 The curry is slow-cooked for several hours to develop a deep color and rich, caramelized sauce.

Q & A

What is Rendang and why is it considered one of the best curries?

Rendang is a caramelized, luscious curry that originated from Western Sumatra. It is known for its slow-cooked meat that is stewed for several hours, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish. CNN once dubbed it as the number one among the 50 best foods in the world, highlighting its exceptional taste.

What are the variations of Rendang found in Indonesia and Malaysia?

There are numerous variations of Rendang in Indonesia and Malaysia, each with its unique blend of spices and cooking methods. The video specifically discusses the preparation of a delicious and scrumptious version from scratch.

What are the key ingredients used to make Rendang curry paste?

The key ingredients for making Rendang curry paste include dry red chilies, shallots, garlic, galangal, aromatic ginger, fresh turmeric, candlenuts, and possibly turmeric powder if fresh is not available.

Why are candlenuts important in Rendang curry?

Candlenuts are important in Rendang curry because they help thicken the sauce and give it a velvety texture. They should not be eaten raw and are blended with other ingredients to create the curry paste.

What type of meat is traditionally used in Rendang and why?

Traditionally, beef is the number one choice for Rendang because it needs to be cooked for hours to caramelize properly. The script mentions using chuck roast and English cut short ribs, which are perfect for slow cooking. Chicken is not ideal due to its tendency to shred quickly, while lamb can be a good alternative.

How does the choice of meat affect the cooking process of Rendang?

The choice of meat affects the cooking process of Rendang as certain cuts are better suited for slow cooking and caramelization. The script emphasizes the use of meat with bones for their natural juices and the importance of using beef over chicken due to the latter's quick shredding.

What is the role of lemongrass in Rendang curry?

Lemongrass plays a crucial role in Rendang curry as it adds a distinct aroma to the dish. Only the soft inner parts of the stalks are used, and they are bruised to release their fragrance into the curry.

Why is coconut milk used in Rendang curry and how does it affect the final product?

Coconut milk is used in Rendang curry to create a rich and creamy base that also helps in caramelizing the meat. It reduces and turns into a silky caramelized sauce, which is iconic to Rendang curry.

What is the significance of kaffir lime leaves in Southeast Asian cooking?

Kaffir lime leaves are significant in Southeast Asian cooking, including Rendang, for their aromatic and fragrant properties. They add a unique flavor that enhances the overall taste of the curry.

How long does it typically take to cook Rendang curry and why?

It typically takes around three hours to cook Rendang curry. The long cooking time allows the meat to become fork tender and the flavors to fully develop, resulting in the characteristic deep color and caramelized texture.

What is the traditional way Rendang was cooked and why?

Traditionally, Rendang was slow-cooked with only coconut milk and an array of spices. This method was used to preserve meat, especially in warm climates, allowing the meat to remain edible at room temperature for days.