Beef Rendang

In the picture above, the beef (covered in spice paste) has been added to the wok along with the coconut, coconut milk, lemon grass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves. This is before the slow cooking and "tempering" process.

This is a very beautiful beef recipe from the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

1 kg (2 lbs) beef topside
4 tablespoons grated fresh coconut or steamed dessicated coconut, roasted in a dry pan until golden brown, then ground finely
3 cups coconut milk (2 cups thick mixed with 1 cup thin)
2 stalks lemon grass, cut into several pieces and bruised
3 cm piece galangal, bruised (optional)
2 kaffir lime leaves (optional)
salt to taste

Paste spices
1 tsp coriander seed, roasted in dry pan and ground finely
2-3 tsp of chilli flakes (more if you like it very hot)
3 cm piece green ginger, finely chopped
3 cm piece fresh turmeric, finely chopped or 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2-4 cloves garlic, chopped
10 shallots, sliced

Grind all the paste ingredients together, adding a little water if the mixture is dry.  Cut the meat into 5 cm cubes, mix with spice paste and leave aside.

Combine the spiced beef and the coconut with the coconut milk in a wok.  Add lemon grass, galangal if using it,lime leaves and salt.  Bring to the boil, stirring all the time.  Cook without a lid until the gravy is almost dry.

Turn the heat down low and cook until the oil comes out of what is left of the gravy.  Stirring constantly, let the meat and its spices fry in the oil until the dish is really dry and the meat has turned dark brown but is not burnt.  This last "tempering" process is the crucial one for beef rendang - the whole dish depends on the care with which this is done.

This recipe has been adapted from the recipe for Beef Rendang in South East Asian Food by Rosemary Brissenden.

Green Fish Curry

Serves 4 or more as part of a feast.

For the green curry paste

2 shallots or one small brown onion, peeled and quartered
2 lemongrass stalks, trimmed and chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
2 cm piece of fresh ginger
6 long green chillies, chopped
1 bunch of fresh coriander, including roots, chopped
1 tablesp fish sauce
1 tsp cumin
2 tablesp vegetable oil

For the curry

1 tablesp oil
270 ml coconut cream
1 cup fish stock
2 tablesp brown sugar
4 kaffir lime leaves, shredded
1 tablesp fish sauce
1 tablesp lime juice
800g firm fleshed fish, cubed

Place shallots, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, chillie, coriander, fish sauce and cumin in a food processor.  Process until finely chopped.  With motor running, gradually add oil in a slow, steady stream until a smooth paste forms.  Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one week.

Heat oil in a pan on high heat.  Add curry paste and fry for a few minutes.

Stir in coconut cream, stock, sugar, leaves, sauce and juice.  Bring to the boil.
Reduce heat to low and add fish.
Simmer, stirring, for about 5 minutes, or until fish flakes when tested with a fork.

Serve with rice, coriander leaves and lime wedges.

Beef Curry

1 large brown onion, chopped finely
1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cm fresh ginger, minced
3 tbsp fresh coriander or parsely, minced
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 to 3 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp black pepper or chilli powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
500g beef, cut into cubes
3/4 cup water or beef stock
 medium tomatoes, cubed

Heat oil on medium heat.  Add onion, garlic, ginger and fresh coriander.  Stir and fry 5 to 10 minutes until soft and transparent but not brown.

Add turmeric, garam masala and black pepper or chilli.  Mix well.  Cook 1 minute.

Add meat to onion and spices.  Stir and fry 3 to 5 minutes until lightly browned.

Add water or stock to meat.  Mix well.  Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to medium low.  Simmer 30 minutes.

Add tomatoes.  Mix well.  Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until meat is tender.  Remove cover.  Cook until most of liquid is absorbed.