A - Slice or cube meat and wash in hot water for few minutes. Keep aside. B - Toast finely desiccated coconut in a wok (without oil) over medium heat until it turns golden brown. This toasted coconut is then pounded until it turns into oily brown paste. Another alternative is to blend this toasted coconut into a very creamy paste.
Next, blend ingredients in C with 1/4 C of water. Keep aside. Prepare the rest of the ingredients. For chili paste, use store bought or soak few cups of deseeded dried chillies in hot water until soft. Blend into a very fine paste. Use 2-3 tablespoons for this recipe. Refrigerate the rest of the paste for other dishes/recipes. Next, thinly slice young turmeric leaves. Keep aside.
Cooking the rendang - in a big wok, heat up a cup of cooking oil. Add in C (blended paste) and cook for few minutes until translucent and aromatic. Add D (other spices) and keep stirring for 5 minutes.
Add A (sliced meat). Stir well. Cover for few minutes. Remove the lid. Season with sugar, chicken seasoning powder and salt. Put the lid on and leave covered for few minutes. Add coconut milk. Leave to cook until little liquid left and meat is tender. Add sliced turmeric leaves and B (toasted coconut paste). Stir to make sure everything is well-mixed. Remove from the heat and serve with sticky rice or steamed rice.
