How to Cook Delicious Malaysian Prawn Rendang

I grew up in Malaysia, where I enjoyed cooking and eating local dishes every day.

Traditional Malaysian Dish

In Malaysian cuisine, rendang refers to a savory dish consisting of spices, desiccated coconut (kerisik), coconut milk, and a meat of your choice, such as beef, chicken, or prawns. Authentic rendang is always made from scratch using traditional ingredients.

What Is Kerisik?

One of the main components of rendang is kerisik (desiccated coconut). It adds a nutty flavor and makes the sauce thicker and creamier. To make kerisik, you need to grate fresh coconut, toast it in a pan until it is golden brown, and then pound it to make a thick, oily paste. When I make this dish at home, I make the kerisik ahead of time. I like to make it from scratch, as it produces a more authentic flavor. I use only my traditional kitchen tools, including my mortar and pestle.

Perfect for Lunch or Dinner

Served with steamed rice, prawn rendang makes the perfect lunch or dinner. If you have leftovers, save them in a container and store them in the fridge. I love leftover rendang, as the sauce will thicken over time. I hope you will try this recipe and enjoy it as much as we do!

Vegetarian Options

If you are a vegetarian, you can substitute jackfruit, tempeh, or tofu for the meat. I've made rendang with tempeh, and it was absolutely yummy! Tempeh is a plant-based protein source that originated in Indonesia. It's made by fermenting cooked soybeans and then forming the mixture into a firm, dense cake.

Ingredients

• 2 kilos medium-sized prawn, legs and feelers removed, deveined
• 4 cups coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons desiccated coconut (kerisik)
• 8 long dried red chiles, trimmed and sliced (and deseeded if you prefer less heat)
• 6 shallots, peeled and sliced
• 5 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
• 1-inch piece fresh turmeric, peeled and sliced, or 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 3 fresh lemongrass stalks, coarsely sliced
• 3-4 fresh turmeric leaves, thinly sliced
• salt and sugar to taste
• 1 tamarind slice, or 1 tablespoon tamarind juice
• Water for blending

Directions

1. Prepare the spice paste: In a blender, combine the shallots, ginger, lemongrass, dried red chiles, garlic, turmeric, and water. Blend until they form a smooth paste. Set aside.
2. Prepare the prawns: Use scissors to remove the legs and feelers. Wash the prawns and drain the excess water.
3. Transfer the prawns to a wok or a pan. Stir in the prepared spice paste along with the kerisik, tamarind slice, and coconut milk. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and continue to cook for 1 to 2 hours. (Stir every 10 minutes so the rendang doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.)
4. After 1 hour, add sugar and salt. Check for taste. Add the thinly sliced turmeric leaves and stir to combine evenly.
5. Stir rendang continuously until the sauce has thickened and turned deep brown (see photo). At this point, the rendang may be done, or you may wish to continue cooking for another 15-30 minutes until the sauce has thickened sufficiently.
6. Transfer the rendang into a bowl or serving plate. Serve with steamed white rice or bread.

Photo Tutorial

In a blender, combine the shallots, ginger, lemongrass, dried red chiles, garlic, turmeric, and water.

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© 2021 Liza

Comments

Liza (author) from USA on August 07, 2021:

Chitrangada, thank you for your wonderful comment. I hope you'll try to make the rendang. I promise you it's delicious! Have a great weekend.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on August 06, 2021:

This sounds delicious and an interesting Malaysian recipe! I liked your presentation and helpful pictures! Would love to try this!

Thank you for sharing!

Liza (author) from USA on August 06, 2021:

Hi Linda, rendang is a popular savory dish in Southeast Asian countries, especially Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The vegetarian version is delicious too! Maybe, next time I share the recipe. Thanks for commenting!

Liza (author) from USA on August 06, 2021:

Hi Pamela, rendang is one of my favorite dishes. Yes, I bet everyone can make the rendang once they have the right ingredients :) Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment. I appreciated it.

Liza (author) from USA on August 06, 2021:

Hi Srushti, I hope you will have a chance to make the rendang. I promise you this dish is definitely worth it to try!

Liza (author) from USA on August 06, 2021:

Rendang is one of my favorite traditional Malaysian dishes. The best thing about this dish is it can be made with different types of protein. Thanks for reading, Peggy!

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on August 05, 2021:

The rendang sounds delicious. I've never heard of the meal before. Thank you for sharing the vegetarian option, Liza.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on August 04, 2021:

This looks like a delicious dish, Liza. You pictures are excellent and the directions don't sound too difficult. Thank you for this recipe.

Srushti Gamit on August 04, 2021:

Such a mouth watering recipe!! I can’t wait to try it.

Thanks for it with us.

God bless you

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on August 04, 2021:

I'll bet that this is delicious! Thanks for telling us about this savory dish.