Rendang is a spicy meat dish that has its origins in the Sumatra region in Indonesia. The incredible aroma of the fried curry leaves and the coconut shards add the perfect flavour and texture to the dish. It is the intensive roasting process that enhances the unique flavour of rendang.
Rendang holds the 11th position in the list of world’s best food published by the CNN. It is the traditional dish of the Minangkabau people in Sumatra. Lots of flavoursome ingredients are added to make the perfect Rendang. It is then cooked for 2 -3 hours which gives the dish a darker shade and dry consistency.
Each piece of beef absorbs the flavours from the ingredients in the most amazing way. If you are not that patient and still wants to taste the incredible flavours of rendang, you could try the kalio or gulai that are made using almost similar ingredients. These dishes too are spicy with some delicious gravy as well.
The spice mixture that is added in rendang is called the pemasak. It is believed that each element of rendang symbolizes the unique Minangkabau culture. The meat represents the tribal heads and elders of the community. Meanwhile, the coconut milk symbolizes the scholars and the poets. The pemasak spice mix represents the entire Minangkabau community.
Rendang is popular in countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei as well. You could prepare rendang with any type of meats, vegetables or eggs.