Beef Rendang

(Fire Islands p.52)

It is perhaps the Sumatran specialty of rendang that has captured the world’s attention more than any other Indonesian dish. There is something compelling about the beef with its dark caramelised crust and tender inside suffused with gentle spice. What makes it unique is that the cooking passes from braising to frying in the same pan, like a casserole made backwards. As the coconut milk slowly reduces, the beef starts to sizzle in the coconut oil left behind. You are left with the most unctuous meat, slicked with just a little intensely flavoured sauce.

Serves 4 -6

  • 800 ml (3. cups) full-fat coconut milk

  • 900 g (2 lb) beef brisket or chuck steak,

    cut into bite-sized pieces

  • 1 tablespoon dark palm sugar

    (gula jawa), shaved

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 2 lime leaves

  • 2 turmeric leaves (optional)

  • 1 lemongrass stick, trimmed, bruised

    and tied in a knot

  • 1 cinnamon stick

Bumbu spice paste

  • 8 small red Asian shallots, peeled

  • 5 large red chillies, seeded

  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled

  • 2.5 cm (1 inch) galangal, skin scrubbed

  • 2.5 cm (1 inch) ginger, peeled

  • 2.5 cm (1 inch) turmeric, peeled, or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1/2 nutmeg, grated

  • pinch of ground cloves

Roughly chop all the ingredients for the bumbu and whizz to a paste in a food processor. Add a good splash of the coconut milk to help the blades do their work. Once smooth, transfer to a large wok or large, shallow casserole pan.

Add all the other ingredients to the wok, making sure there is enough liquid to submerge the meat – add a splash of water if needed. Bring to the boil, stirring to stop the coconut milk splitting. Lower the heat and cook at a slow-medium bubble, more lively than a simmer as the liquid needs to reduce. Cook uncovered for about 2 hours, stirring from time to time. The meat should be tender, most of the liquid evaporated and the oil will have separated from the coconut milk. Remove the lemongrass and cinnamon.

At this stage, the meat and spices that have been braising will start to fry in the hot oil. This is called ‘tempering’ and needs to be done with care. For about 10 minutes, you will need to stir gently but frequently over a medium heat until the coconut oil becomes thick and brown. The stir-frying then needs to be continuous for the final 15 minutes or so, until the oil has been absorbed by the meat, which will be a dark chocolaty brown.

Leave to rest for half an hour or more before serving at room temperature. Rendang keeps well in the fridge and the flavours only improve with age.

Recipe from Fire Islands by Eleanor Ford

Photo: Kristin Perers