Classic stew, spiced the Malaysian way

RENDANG is a favorite dish at our local Malaysian restaurants, but there’s rendang and then there’s rendang. Times staff writer Charles Perry came across an exceptionally rich and luscious version of the spicy stew during his travels in England this summer. This recipe is from Lagenda, the restaurant of the Holiday Villa Hotel in London, which is part of a Malaysian-based chain.

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Rendang

Total time: 2 1/2 hours

Servings: 6

1 cup freshly grated or dried unsweetened coconut

4 or 5 stalks lemon grass

(the bottom 4 3/4 inches)

4 cups sliced onions

1 (1 1/2 -inch) piece ginger root, peeled and sliced

6 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced

1 to 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

1 3/4 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 cups unsweetened coconut cream

2 cups water

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons sugar

3 to 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn

1 tablespoon lime juice

1. Toast the coconut in a dry skillet until crisp and golden brown, about 10 minutes for dried coconut and 15 minutes for fresh. Cool for 5 minutes, then grind finely in a food processor. Set aside.

2. Remove the outer layers of 4 lemon grass stalks; slice the stalks. Place the sliced lemon grass, onions, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes in a food processor and process to a paste, adding a little water if needed.

3. Place the cubed beef, spice paste, coconut cream, water, salt and sugar in a pan or large wok. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 1 1/2 hours. The gravy should be quite thick, with a film of oil on the surface.

4. Add the toasted coconut, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice and, if desired, an additional stalk of lemon grass (outer layer removed and stalk bruised). Continue cooking over low heat for another 20 to 30 minutes, stirring frequently to keep the sauce from scorching. Remove from heat and taste for seasonings.

5. Serve with rice. Garnish with julienned cucumber and spicy sambal (Indonesian chile paste), if desired.

Each serving: 515 calories; 30 grams protein; 19 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 37 grams fat; 31 grams saturated fat; 51 mg. cholesterol; 825 mg. sodium.