🇮🇩 Indonesian Cuisine · Main Dishes

Rendang

Prep

25 mins

Cook

4 hrs

Serves

6

Difficulty

Hard

Beef slow-cooked for hours in coconut milk and a rich rempah spice paste until the sauce caramelizes dry onto the meat.

Ingredients

  • 500g chicken thighs
  • 300g fried shallot crackers (krupuk)
  • 2 tsp sliced lemongrass
  • a pinch of ground cumin
  • 2 tbsp neutral vegetable oil
  • 1 cup long beans, sliced
  • a handful of fresh Thai basil, chopped
  • a generous spoonful of crispy fried shallots
  • 1 cup tamarind water

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat the chicken thighs dry, season generously with salt, pepper, and coriander seeds, and let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.

  2. 2

    Heat neutral vegetable oil in a wide pan or heavy pot over medium-high heat and sear the chicken thighs until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.

  3. 3

    In the same pan, gently cook the minced garlic and sliced galangal over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir in the ground turmeric and long beans, cooking for a few more minutes so the spices bloom and coat the vegetables.

  5. 5

    Return the chicken thighs to the pan, pour in the water, and bring everything to a gentle simmer.

  6. 6

    Cover and cook over low heat until the chicken thighs is tender and cooked through, roughly 4 hrs.

  7. 7

    Stir in the lime wedges, taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Tips

Avoid crowding the pan when searing the chicken thighs; work in batches so it browns instead of steaming.

A squeeze of lemon or a final scattering of cilantro just before serving brightens up all the deep, slow-cooked flavors.