For Malaysians, rendang is that must-eat dish during the Ramadan and Raya season. However, with global inflationary pressure the price per serving of this classic dish has increased. The price is justified as traditional rendang takes skill and time especially when it comes to making the spice mixture and the kerisik (dry fried coconut flakes). Once on the stove, it also takes time and constant stirring to thicken.
Do not despair as you too can make traditional rendang like what nenek makes back in the kampung, and in quarter the time with the Ayam Brand™ Rendang Raya Starter Pack. Guaranteed deliciousness, and easily customizable to your taste with your choice of protein, while being much more budget-friendly.
The Ayam Brand™ Rendang Raya Starter pack consists of the all new Ayam Brand™ Rendang Paste, Ayam Brand™ Toasted Coconut Paste otherwise commonly known as kerisik and Ayam Brand™ Coconut Milk that’s as good as fresh. It has all you need except the chicken, meat, seafood or plant-based meat for an authentic rendang at home.
Prepare your rendang in just 3 steps. Step 1: To preheat cooking oil in the pan, then add Ayam Brand™ Rendang Paste and stir fry until fragrant. Step 2: Add in 500g of chicken/ meat/seafood stir until the protein is semi-cooked, then add in 120ml of Ayam Brand™ Coconut Milk, stir until well combined and the meat is cooked through. Step 3: Add in one pack of Ayam Brand™ Kerisik 40g to thicken, and add texture, stir well to coat the meat/chicken/seafood with the toasty kerisik. Continue stirring occasionally until the oils rise – the sign of a well cooked rendang. All done in 30 minutes or less if using seafood. You can stop here, or continue to cook for a ‘drier’ rendang. Best served hot with rice.
The Ayam Brand™ Rendang Paste is a wonder that takes the guesswork and long prep time out of cutting and mincing onions (oh the tears!), toasting and spices and herbs, and careful blending. It includes onion, shallot, garlic, galangal, dried chilli, lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, tamarind, coriander seed, fennel seed, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and fenugreek among a host of other good things. So many ingredients, lovingly prepared and blended just like nenek used to take hours to make. It is free of nasties such as preservatives, MSG and additives giving you the authentic goodness of traditional rendang, with the convenience of a ready-to-cook paste in 30 minutes or less.
For anyone who has made kerisik, toasting fresh flaked coconut until the oils rise can take hours, a time consuming endeavour that is bound to build your arm muscles. The Ayam Brand™ Kerisik is ready-to-use, simply mix well, snip open the pack and add to the dish of your choice.
Localisation is at the heart of Malaysian rendang with every state and every family having their own spin on rendang. How can you localise your rendang using Ayam Brand™ Rendang Paste? Here are a few suggestions but be forewarned that the Ayam Brand™ Rendang Paste rates a solid 3.5 out of 5 on the spiciness scale. This is not a mild rendang paste.
Perak’s Rendang Tok
If you’re craving the dark and ‘dry’ yet extra tender Rendang Tok, add palm sugar and more kerisik to your culinary masterpiece. The palm sugar will caramelise darkening the rendang, and the kerisik will help to dry up the gravy. Be prepared to leave the rendang on the stove simmering on low heat for another 30 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.
Negeri Sembilan’s Rendang Minang
The Nogori spiciness tolerance is on another level for Rendang Minang (Negeri Sembilan specialty). If you’re up to it, add lots of pounded cili padi and cracked black pepper to the Ayam Brand™ Rendang Paste at step 1, and then continue. Eye-wateringly good.
Rendang Johor
The deliciousness that is rendang Johor is simple to achieve. Prepare as per the basic rendang recipe, then add turmeric and kaffir lime leaves before adding Ayam Brand™ Kerisik to the dish.
Rendang Hijau
Add pounded or blended green chillies to the Ayam Brand™ Rendang Paste and sauté until fragrant. This step will take more time as you want the flavours to meld before stewing the protein of choice in it.
Using these ideas you can localise and customise the Ayam Brand™ Rendang Raya starter pack to your taste preference.
Ready to add more convenience and traditional goodness to your cooking repertoire? Try these easy, convenient and authentic traditional paste from Ayam Brand™ including Ayam Brand™ Rendang Paste, Ayam Brand™ Chicken Curry Paste, Ayam Brand™ Sambal Tumis Paste and Ayam Brand™ Asam Pedas Paste. Each 180g pack retails for RM5 while Ayam Brand™ Kerisik 40g for RM1.20 and 100g for RM2.60. Guaranteed deliciousness, in a fraction of the time.
Ayam Brand™ products are widely available from Aeon, Aeon Big, Giant, Cold Storage, Jaya Grocer, Hero (selected only), Mydin, Econsave, Matahari or visit the Ayam Brand™ Official stores on Shopee and Lazada.
