The delicious Rendang Tok

Rendang is a dish which originated from the Minangkabau people of Indonesia. It is one of the characteristic foods of the Minangkabau culture, and it is served at ceremonial occasions and to honor guests. Being also popular in Malaysia, rendang is traditionally prepared by the Malay community during festive occasions.

The delicious rendang tok in Penang is sometimes described as being like a curry, and the name is sometimes applied to curried meat dishes in Malaysia, authentic rending however is nothing like a curry and doesn’t contain curry powder.

Rendang is made from beef or occasionally chicken, mutton,water buffalo meat or or vegetables like ginger,galangal,chilis and fennel. Slowly cooked in coconut milk and spices for several hours until almost all the liquid is gone, leaving the meat coated in the spicy condiments. It is commonly eaten with rice.

How To Cook it????

Ingredients (Serves 5-6 people)

* 2 whole chickens , cut into 6 pieces each, obtain 12 pieces
* 2 cup thick coconut milk
* 1/3 cup coconut paste (kerisik)
* 3 Tablespoons palm sugar
* 2 Asam gelugor
* 5 lime leaves (daun limau purut)
* 2 tumeric leaves ( if available)
* 2 Tablespoons match stick sliced fresh ginger
* Salt to taste
* 2 Tablespoons canola oil

Into a blender:

* 15 dried red chili , soaked in hot water and drained
* 2 large yellow onions , cut into a quarter
* 3 Tablespoons diced fresh ginger root
* 4 stalks lemongrass
* 2 Tablespoons sliced galangal
* 3 candlenuts ( buah keras) [optional]
* 1 Tablespoons coriander seeds }
* 1 teaspoon fennel seeds } ground in a mortar
* 1 teaspoon cumin seeds} until fine
* 1 Tablespoon black pepper seeds}
* 2 star anise}

-Blend thoroughly to form a spice paste.

METHOD...........


1. In a large bowl, Marinate the chicken with the blended paste and half of coconut milk. For about 45 minutes , at least. The longer the better.

2. After marinating, prepare a big wok. Heat the wok on low heat.

* Using wok is better than a pot. Why? A wok has wider opening helps evaporate the liquid faster . A wok has ideal searing surface and evenly hot all over heats more food’s molecules , increases rate of transmission.

* If a pot is all you have, just go ahead use it. It is just more time needed.

3. Drizzle the oil and let it heated.

4. Pour in the marinated chicken and the paste into the heated wok. Let the chicken half cooked.

5. Heat the oven to 400F. Transfer the chicken on a baking sheet. And bake in the oven until brown. While waiting the chicken in the oven, for the spice gravy (the one that remains in the wok), turn the heat low and let it continue to cook..

* Baking the chicken is only optional, you may want to skip the step if you don’t mind of getting slightly mushy meat instead solid chunk at the end.

* If cubed beef, lamb or mutton is used, skip the step.

6. Return the browned chicken into the wok. Turn back the heat medium-low,Let it continue to cook with the spices.

7. When the gravy starts to thicken and the oil separated and appears on top, toss in the remaining of the ingredients; brown sugar/palm sugar, salt , coconut paste (kerisik), kefir leaves (daun limau purut) , sliced ginger root and asam gelugur. Adjust sugar and salt to taste.

8. Keep stirring , every minute to avoid burn on the bottom. Pour the rest of coconut milk.

9. Continue stirring until almost all liquid is vaporized and incorporated well with the meat and spices. At this point, the rendang will look dark and pasty with chunk of meat ( chicken) .

10. Ready to serve with rice, pulut kuning (steamed glutinous rice) and etc.