5 Spicy Hot Rendang Recipes To Follow This Hari Raya 2022
(Credit: Ika Rahma H / Shutterstock)
Other than ketupats and satays, rendang is another all-time favourite dish on the dining table during Hari Raya Puasa. With large chunks of scrumptious beef or chicken soaked in coconut-milk gravy, it’s no wonder why many choose to indulge in this spicy dish. If you’re keen on trying to make your own rendang, then follow these rendang recipes which we’re sure will be a hit among your family and friends this Hari Raya 2022! Psst, we have also included some of the best rendang pastes in Singapore to help you along.
Rendang is a dish that originated from the Minangkabau region in West Sumatra, Indonesia in the 15th century. It is essentially a dish of meat, most commonly beef or chicken, that has been slow cooked and braised in coconut milk. Most times, it is seasoned with herbs and spices which turns the meat dark brown. Rendang has since gained much popularity in neighbouring countries such as Brunei, Malaysia and even Singapore. It is commonly served among the Muslim community at weddings and festive events such as Hari Raya Puasa.
Traditionally, the term ‘rendang’ actually refers to a method of slow cooking by continuously churning the ingredients in a pot or frying pan. As such, other than beef and chicken, you can make rendang with fish, eggs, prawns and even vegetables! Given its cultural origins in Indonesia, it is to note that there are four main ingredients used in a rendang dish which represent different members of the Minangkabau society as a whole:
The meat symbolises the traditional clan leaders and revered elders
The coconut milk symbolises intellectuals, teachers, poets and writers
Rendang as a dish itself works just fine but it is often served with steamed rice, ketupats or lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes). Sometimes, it is accompanied with vegetable side dishes such as boiled cassava leaves, chopped raw cucumber and pineapple salad. Some people also choose to add hard boiled eggs and lado to the mix.
Best rendang recipes to try out this Hari Raya 2022
1. Indonesian Beef Rendang Recipe
One of the most classic and popular recipes for rendang is the traditional Indonesian beef rendang recipe. An Indonesian beef rendang is usually completely dry but still tender with a hint of crunchiness. Get ready for a burst of delicious flavour and peppery aftertaste with every bite!
Pro Tip: You can adjust the amount of chilli according to your preferred level of spiciness. To maintain a red colour rendang with a milder taste, simply remove the chilli seeds.
Blend all the ingredients needed to make the rendang paste together in a blender until it forms a rough paste. Alternatively, skip this first step by getting the Ikan Brand Rendang Paste (available on Shopee Supermarket), which is one of the best rendang pastes in Singapore.
If you’re looking to spice things up (literally), you might want to follow this Malaysian beef rendang recipe which adds a lot more chilli into the dish. A Malaysian rendang is also wetter and more savoury as compared to its Indonesian counterpart.
Pound the lemongrass, ginger, galangal, turmeric, shallots, garlic, red onions and the softened dried chilies into a paste with the mortar and pestle. Once done, transfer them into the same bowl (in step 3)
Add the roasted grounded spices prepared earlier (step 2) into the bowl. Toss and stir the mixture to mix thoroughly
Add coconut cream (available on Shopee Supermarket) in a large pot and stir with a wooden spatula over high heat until oil starts to separate. Once the oil is separated, reduce heat and continue to stir for 1 minute
Add the grounded and pounded mixture prepared earlier (step 5) and stir the mixture until it is slightly drier. Be careful not to burn the bottom.
Add salt, palm sugar and sliced kaffir lime leaves (available on Shopee Supermarket) and stir mixture to mix well before adding some coconut milk
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once it is boiling, stir and scrape the bottom of the pot to clear off any sticking bits. Cover the pot with lid and simmer for 30 minutes over the lowest possible heat.
Continue to simmer over low heat until the gravy is drier. Reduce and discard the oil floated on the surface with a spoon. Be careful not to over stir and break the tender beef into a mushy mixture.
Garnish the beef rendang with sliced kaffir lime leaves and sliced chilies and it is ready to be eaten!
3. Chicken Rendang Recipe
Another way to enjoy rendang is to have them with good ol ‘chicken! This easy chicken rendang recipe is fuss-free, yet promises a juicy, tender and flavoursome plate of rendang. Psst, if you’re tight on time, this is the chicken rendang recipe to follow!
Cut the Halal Whole Chicken (available on Medina Mart) into large chunksPro Tip: Do not remove the bone as it contributes to the flavour to the gravy. If you dislike the idea of having bones in your chicken rendang, you can add some chicken stock (available on Shopee Supermarket) to stew the chicken
Add the salt on the chicken chunks and keep it aside to marinate for a while
Make the rendang paste by blending the ginger, galangal, lemongrass, and chilli with a small amount of water in a Ninja Food Processor (available on Ninja Kitchen Shark Clean Official) until it forms a smooth paste. You can also add some onion and garlic if you wish.
Alternatively, skip the third step by getting the MUSC Rendang Paste (available on Shopee Supermarket), which is one of the best rendang pastes in Singapore
Toast the kerisik (available on Kmmsb) with a little bit of oil in a pan until it becomes golden brown
Transfer the rendang paste to the pan with some cooking oil and saute it over low heat until it turns aromatic
Add the chicken, coconut milk, cinnamon bark, star anise, cloves and palm sugar into the pan and let it simmer for 20 minutes
Soak a piece of Asam keping (available on SG Provision) in hot water, and keep the extraction while discarding the fruit. Add it into the mix once done
Simmer the pan for another 10 minutes and you’re ready to feast on the rendang!
4. Fish Rendang Recipe
Whoever said you can’t have a seafood rendang obviously hasn’t followed this fish rendang recipe! Not only is it a quick and unique way to cook your fish, this rendang recipe also promises a coconutty and tangy aftertaste that blends well with the fish.
Rub the fish until it is nicely coated and set it aside for 10 minutes
Make the rendang paste by blending the cloves garlic, shallots, lemongrass, ginger, galangal, green bird eye chilli and dry chilli. Add a little water to the mix.
Give it another mix and let it cook for 2 minutes with the lid on
Add the fish back in and give it a final mix before serving. Ensure that the paste covers the entire fish for a spicier bite!
5. Prawn Rendang Recipe
Prawns mixed with rendang gravy is a dish that you should definitely try eating this Hari Raya. It is relatively simple to put together, so if you’re not sure how to cook prawns, follow this beginner-friendly prawn rendang recipe!
1kg large prawns (legs and feelers removed, deveined with scissors)
500ml coconut milk
1 cinnamon stick
3 star anise
5 cloves
5 kaffir lime leaves
1 turmeric leaf
2 calamansi lime, halved
55g roasted and pounded desiccated coconut
4 tbsp chilli paste
Prawn rendang recipe:
Make the rendang paste by blending the candlenuts (available on Chuan Hong Seng), shallots (available on Fruit’ Alive), garlic, lemongrass, turmeric, galangal, ginger and kaffir lime leaves. If the mixture is too dry, you can use vegetable oil to help you achieve a smooth consistency.
Fry the spice paste with chilli paste (available on Shopee Supermarket) for 7 minutes in a pan on medium-high heat until fragrant. Lower the heat in order not to burn the spices.
Add in cinnamon stick, star anise and cloves to the pan and stir-fry for 2 minutes
Once fragrant, add in 500 ml coconut milk and 500 ml water
Once the gravy starts to boil, immediately bring to a simmer at low heat to prevent the coconut milk from curdling
Add in the turmeric leaf (available on Shopee Supermarket), and season it with salt and palm sugar. Simmer until the gravy thickens
Heat up enough vegetable oil for deep-frying. Once the oil is hot, gently place the Savour Gourmet White Peeled Prawns (available on Savour Gourmet) in the pot and let it fry for up to 6 minutes or when it is completely cooked and red.
Once done, add the deep-fried prawns into the pan and continue to simmer until the oil separates and the gravy is slightly dry
No Hari Raya meal is complete without a spicy hot bowl of rendang to share with your loved ones! Need more food to add to your spread aside from these beef and chicken rendang recipes? You’ll be glad to know that you can snag great deals on the best kueh lapis in Singapore and these delicious Hari Raya cookies from Shopee Supermarket. Meanwhile, get ready to nail that Hari Raya #OOTD shot with these modern baju kurungs and easy hijab styles. Check out our Hari Raya Sale for more attractive deals on all your other Hari Raya essentials!
New to Shopee? Get $7 off (min. spend $15) with code: SPICYHOTRENDANG.
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Gabriel Choo
Gabriel is a huge Taylor Swift fan and can memorize the lyrics to every one of her songs. When he's not hustling, you'll find him eating mala or having an intense mahjong marathon with his friends.
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