Adam Liaw's beef short rib rendang
A rendang might have a long list of ingredients, but it all goes into a blender, then into a single pot.
Ingredients
2 large onions, peeled, roughly chopped
2 large red chillies, seeds and stalk removed (optional)
5cm galangal, peeled
5cm ginger, peeled
8 cloves garlic, peeled
1 tsp belacan (shrimp paste), or 2 tbsp fish sauce
¼ cup vegetable oil
2 tsp ground turmeric
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
3 stalks lemongrass, each trimmed to around 12cm in length and bruised
5 makrut lime leaves
2.5kg beef short ribs (or 2kg chuck steak), cut into 8cm pieces
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
400ml coconut cream
½ cup dessicated coconut
cooked rice, to serve
Method
1. Combine the onion, chilli, galangal, ginger, garlic and belacan (or fish sauce) in a blender and blend to a paste. You can add a bit of water if you need to. Heat a heavy casserole dish over medium heat and add the oil and paste. Half-cover the pot to stop it spitting and fry the spice paste for about 10-15 minutes until dry and starting to brown, stirring frequently to stop it from sticking to the pot. Add the turmeric, cinnamon, star anise, lemongrass and 3 of the lime leaves and mix well, then add the beef and mix well. Add the salt, sugar, coconut cream and 500ml water and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 2½ hours, stirring occasionally.
2. Meanwhile, toast the coconut in a dry frying pan, stirring constantly until it is hazelnut-brown. Watch it carefully as it can burn easily. Set aside to cool. Finely shred the remaining 2 lime leaves.
3. Uncover the rendang and stir through the caramelised coconut, then simmer for an additional 45 minutes until the mixture is oily and a little dry, and the beef is tender. Taste and adjust the seasoning as required, then scatter with the shredded lime leaves. Serve with rice.
Also try: Adam Liaw's cucumber and onion in sweet vinegar
Find more of Adam Liaw's recipes in the Good Food New Classics cookbook.
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Adam Liaw is a cookbook author and food writer, co-host of Good Food Kitchen and former MasterChef winner.
