How to prepare traditional Chicken Rendang dish – aromatic and satisfying
The Rendang dish though having originated in Indonesia has grown into becoming one of the most favoured and flavoursome takes on Malaysian fare. Made with an assortment of spices that combine in packing one almighty punch, the Chicken Rendang dish is one such variant of the traditional Rendang dish that must be savoured at least once during your travels in the country. Given below is how you can try your hand at preparing such appetizing cuisine.
What is Chicken Rendang?
With roots in Indonesia, Chicken Rendang is a classical Malaysian-Indonesian creation that brings together a chicken stew infused with a wide array of aromatic spices and freshly squeezed coconut milk that culminates in a sensational spread. This dish is definitely worthy of your attention and foodie senses whenever in Malaysia. Importantly, the Rendang must be slow-cooked and thereafter, stewed in the highlight of the dish; the Rendang sauce will add layers of taste and texture to this unique celebration of Indonesian and Malaysian cultures.
What ingredients will you need?
To start with, choose your chicken very carefully and in this sense, boneless and skinless thighs or breasts will work perfectly. Around 1 ½ lb. of chicken finely sliced into cubes will get you started. Also, 1/3 cup of cooking oil followed by 3 cardamom pods, 3 cloves, 3-star anise, 1 stick of cinnamon coupled with 1 lemongrass cut into strips (white part) will be required. Moreover, be sure to include salt, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 5 tablespoons of toasted grated coconut, 5 kaffir lime leaves and 1 cup each of coconut milk & water respectively. Next up would be the spice paste which deserves as much attention and precision as the main dish itself. For this purpose, 6 shallots, 4 cloves of garlic, 10 dried chillies (seeded), 3 stalks of lemongrass (white section only), galangal (2 cm) and peeled ginger would be the needs of the hour.
How much time will you require?
Preparation is an essential part of Chicken Rendang which is why you will need to invest a minimum of 15 minutes sorting out the ingredients and ensuring that the right quantities have been added. As a further 45 minutes will be exhausted in terms of cooking time, you are looking at spending a total of 1 hour in the kitchen. Therefore, if you are thinking of cooking Chicken Rendang ahead of that much looked forward to gathering with family or friends, then it is wise to begin early leaving plenty of time for the ingredients to work their magic.
The cooking
Initially, look to address the spice paste element of the dish and for this, you will need a food processor. Into the processor, goes all the ingredients mentioned above and makes sure that the said ingredients are blended well. Thereafter, use a skillet to stir fry the spice paste, star anise, cloves, cinnamon and cardamom and do so up until the point where the aromas begin wafting through your kitchen. This will indicate that you are right on track en route to whipping up one amazing rendition of Chicken Rendang. To this, you will then add the chicken and lemongrass before stirring so that the spices mix well with the meat. Additionally, include the water and coconut milk and allow the same to simmer on medium heat. Frequent stirring must be accompanied up until the dish nears completion and the chicken is well cooked. Further, the kaffir lime leaves and toasted coconut can now be added and almost simultaneously, look at lowering the heat and covering the lid to allow the chicken to simmer for another 30 minutes. Once you see that the gravy has dried up, add salt and sugar to taste before spooning out this fantastic depiction of a traditional cross-cultural dish. Even when on holiday in Malaysia, you will easily stumble upon Chicken Rendang which will inspire you into making your very own. Dining at some of the best restaurants in Langkawi even placed within luxury resorts such as Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa will be a pleasing way for you to get your head around preparing Chicken Rendang.