Rouxbe

• 9 long red chilies (dried)
• 1/2 lb shallots
• 8 cloves garlic
• 2 inches galangal
• 2 inches young ginger
• 1 stalk lemongrass

To make the rendang, remove the stems and seeds from the chilies and soak them in a pot of hot water for about 15 minutes. You can keep the pot over a low flame on the stove. This just keeps the water nice and hot.

Once the chilies have softened, drain them and reserve some of the soaking liquid. Squeeze out the excess water from the chilies and give them a rough chop. Set aside.

Roughly chop the shallots and garlic. Peel and roughly chop the galangal and young ginger. Finely mince the lemongrass.

Place everything into a food processor, along with the chilies. Add a few tablespoons of the soaking liquid and puree. You'll need to scrape down the sides of the food processor from time to time. You may also have to add another spoonful or so of soaking liquid for easy blending. Continue to pulse until you get a paste-like consistency. Set this aside while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.

Related Drill-downs

• What is Turmeric?
• What is Galangal?
• What is Young Ginger?
• What is Lemongrass?

• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 3/4 tsp fennel seeds
• 2 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 2 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 1/4 cups desiccated coconut
• 2 lb eye of round (or stewing beef)
• 1 tbsp palm sugar
• 2 tbsp tamarind pulp
• 2 tbsp kecap manis

Using a mortar and pestle, grind the clove, cumin, coriander and fennel until you reach a fine powder. Set this aside and measure out the turmeric and salt.

Next, toast the coconut over medium-low heat. Keep an eye on it and stir often so it browns evenly, about 5 minutes or so. Once done, remove from the pan and set aside to cool slightly.

Dice the beef into about 1-inch cubes and set aside.

Once the coconut is cool, grind it using a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Chop the palm sugar and measure out the tamarind pulp and kecap manis.

Related Drill-downs

• What is a Mortar and Pestle?
• What is Palm Sugar?

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 400 ml coconut milk
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 kaffir lime (zest of)
• 1/2 fresh lime (juice of)
• 1 tsp Kosher salt

To cook the rendang, heat a heavy-bottomed pot, over medium heat, and then add the oil. Add the ground spices and fry just until you can start to smell the aroma. Add the paste and stir together. Add the turmeric and continue to fry for about 5 minutes, or until the liquid has been cooked out.

Next add the beef and salt and stir to coat with the paste. Add the coconut milk, toasted coconut, water, tamarind, kecap manis, and palm sugar, and stir everything together.

Tear the kaffir lime leaves and zest the kaffir lime. Give it a good stir and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently, uncovered for about 1-1.5 hours. Stir occasionally to make sure the heat is not too hot and that the mixture isn’t sticking on the bottom.

When the meat is done, it should be fork tender and easily fall apart. The sauce will thicken considerably and the oil will start to separate, which is what you are looking for.

To finish, check the seasoning and add a squeeze of fresh lime juice, if you like. Serve over coconut-infused rice and top with fresh cilantro.

Related Drill-downs

• How to buy Coconut Milk
• What is Tamarind
• What is Kaffir Lime?