For Malaysians, rendang is a must-eat dish that’s enjoyed during the Ramadan and Raya seasons.
However, the global inflationary pressure has increased the price per serving of this classic dish. The price is justified as traditional rendang takes a bit more ingredients, skill and time, especially when it comes to making the spice mixture and the kerisik (dry fried coconut flakes).
In conjunction with the festive season, Ayam Brand has launched its Rendang Raya starter pack that you can easily make traditional rendang like what nenek makes back in the kampung, and in quarter the time.
The Rendang Raya starter pack consists of the new Ayam Brand Rendang Paste, Ayam Brand Toasted Coconut Paste (locally known as kerisik) and Ayam Brand Coconut Milk.
The preparation seems simple, and can be made in just three simple steps and in 30 minutes.
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 that can be done in 30 minutes or less if using seafood. You can stop here, or continue to cook for a ‘drier’ rendang. It is best served hot with rice.
The Ayam Brand Rendang Paste takes the guesswork and long prep time out of cutting and mincing onions, toasting and spices and herbs, and careful blending.
The list of spices and herbs that are used include onion, shallot, garlic, galangal, dried chilli, lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, tamarind, coriander seed, fennel seed, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and fenugreek.
It is made with all natural ingredients and free of nasties such as preservatives, MSG and additives.
With so many ingredients, prepared and blended just like nenek used to take hours to make, the Ayam Brand Rendang Paste gives the authentic goodness of traditional rendang, with the convenience of a ready-to-cook paste in 30 minutes or less.
Meanwhile, the Ayam Brand Kerisik is ready-to-use, simply mix well, snip open the pack and add to the dish of your choice to get the best aroma and flavour.
Localisation is at the heart of Malaysian rendang with every state and every family has their specialty rendang recipe using Ayam Brand Rendang Paste.
Ayam Brand shares a few rendang recipe 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.
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.
Apart from the Ayam Brand Rendang Paste, you could also check out other authentic traditional paste from Ayam Brand, including 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 are priced at RM1.20 and 100g at RM2.60.
Join the Ayam Brand Bok Bok Raya Tuang, Masak & Menang contest from now until April 25, 2023 and you could be in the running for total prizes worth over RM25,000 including two grand prizes of Dyson Cyclone V10 Fluffy vacuum cleaners, six Samsung 35L Convection microwave ovens with HotBlast, six Duit Raya of RM500 cash and 50 weekly prizes of RM100 Shopee cash vouchers.
For the contest details, visit the Ayam Brand Malaysia Official on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ayambrandmy/.
