Rendang: Indonesian History and Culture from the Minangkabau
28/02/2023 cleoon news
source: media-kitlv.nl
Rendang is a typical Indonesian dish which is famous all over the world. This dish is made from beef cooked in spices and thick coconut milk. Rendang has a spicy and rich taste of spices, and can last for several days or even weeks.
The origins of rendang are believed to come from Minangkabau, West Sumatra, Indonesia. This dish has been part of the culinary tradition of the Minangkabau people for hundreds of years. Rendang is a very popular dish among Indonesian people, especially in West Sumatra.
Rendang has various types, such as beef rendang, chicken rendang, and duck rendang. The main ingredients for making rendang are beef, spices, coconut milk, and other ingredients such as chilies, onions, ginger, galangal, and lime leaves.
The process of cooking rendang is very time consuming and requires patience. The spices and coconut milk must be stirred constantly so they don’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. The rendang cooking process can take up to eight hours or more, depending on the amount of meat being cooked and the desired thickness of the coconut milk.
Rendang is usually served on important occasions, such as traditional ceremonies, weddings or religious events. In ancient times, rendang was not only processed as food, but also had a deep symbolic meaning.
One of the stories related to rendang in ancient times is about a Minangkabau princess who refused to marry the king. He then fled to the forest and lived as a hermit. When the king came to the forest to look for it, the princess made rendang and gave it to the king as a sign of solidarity. In this story, rendang is used as a symbol of brotherhood and solidarity.
In ancient times, rendang was also considered a symbol of wealth. Because rendang required a lot of spices which were expensive and hard to come by at that time, it became a food that could only be served on special occasions by people who had wealth.
Rendang has become part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage and is recognized as one of the most delicious dishes in the world. In 2011, rendang was recognized as a very special dish by UNESCO and became part of Indonesia’s intangible cultural heritage.
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352618117301270