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Indonesian Rendang and Ukrainian Cake

August 2, 2013 by Nancy Lopez-McHugh 46 Comments

Indonesian Beef Rendang by @SpicieFoodie | #IndonesianFood #beef #meat #Rendang

Have you ever tried Indonesian food? It is amazing! If you love spicy, aromatic, fresh food then you’ll absolutely love this exotic cuisine. Today I am sharing one of our favorite Indonesian dishes, rendang. Rendang is a spicy meat dish made with coconut milk and an array of aromatic Asian spices. Rendang, or beef rendang, is one of the most well know dishes from Indonesia. Originally a dish made by the Minangkabau people, it is now also eaten in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, The Philippines, and southern Thailand.

Indonesian Rendang by @SpicieFoodie | #IndonesianFood #beef #meat #Rendang

Indonesian Rendang by @SpicieFoodie | #IndonesianFood #beef #meat #Rendang

This rendang was made with a special package that our Indonesian friend R. sent to me with her husband. She sent me an Indonesian care package consisting of 2 rendang, 2 nasi goreng spice mixes and a super yummy hot sauce. If that wasn’t enough J. brought me a cookbook from his last trip to Cambodian. I a very lucky girl to have such sweet, kind and thoughtful friends. The book is gorgeous and I can’t wait to cook from it and share it with you.

I saw that the cookbook and both of the spice mixes are available on Amazon, so you too can give them a try. These are the links Rendang, Nasi Goreng and Cambodian Cooking.

Indonesian Rendang by @SpicieFoodie | #IndonesianFood #beef #meat #Rendang

Upon opening the package I could smell the wonderful spices and chile that were used to make the mix — it made my mouth water. Typically rendang can take up to 4 hours to prepare but thanks to this little package dinner can be ready in about an hour. The instructions are included in the package and are pretty straightforward.

Indonesian Rendang by @SpicieFoodie | #IndonesianFood #beef #meat #Rendang

All I had to do was cut the beef into bite-size pieces, boil until tender, drain, then slow cook with the spice mix and a little water until the sauce thickened. I served it with steamed rice for a scrumptious meal.

Indonesian Rendang by @SpicieFoodie | #IndonesianFood #beef #meat #Rendang

As the meat simmered with the spices my mouth kept watering, I could smell cloves, lemongrass, chile, ginger and all sorts of incredible smells. The taste was just as amazing. It was quite spicy and the spices really came through. I can’t wait to cook the next package and hopefully one day my friend R. will teach me how to cook rendang from scratch.

Ukrainian Cake on @SpicieFoodie | #Ukrainian #cake #dessert

So if all the above gifts weren’t enough J. also brought us this gorgeous dessert, a Ukrainian cake made for two, which we enjoyed and helped to cool down our mouths after the rendang.

Ukrainian Cake on @SpicieFoodie | #Ukrainian #cake #dessert

I’m not sure what the cake is called but it was like a roulade cake. The outer wrapper was a thin layer of cake, in the center were two layers of airy vanilla cream or mousse that had pieces of bananas and strawberries. The cream was held inside by a thin layer of cake and the two layers of cream were separated by a very thin layer of cake. And the top was decorated with fresh pieces of strawberries, kumquats, karambola and lime slices.

Ukrainian Cake on @SpicieFoodie | #Ukrainian #cake #dessert

I’ve never had a cake like this before, and now it is one that I would love to eat over and over again. Does anyone know what this type of cake is called?

 

Thanks to our wonderful friends we enjoyed this incredible feast. The only thing that would have made it even better is if we had been able to sit down and enjoy it with them…soon.

 

Have a great weekend and I hope you share a meal with your close friends.

 

 

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Filed Under: Asian, Beef

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Comments

  1. Susan (Susonia.com) says

    August 2, 2013 at 23:56

    I LOVE beef rendang!!! I did try to recreate the version from my favourite Malaysian restaurant in the slow cooker a while ago and keep saying I have to make it again. Here’s a link to my recipe if you’re interested:
    http://susonia.com/2012/11/slow-cooker-rendang-beef-curry/

    And that cake looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 3, 2013 at 14:19

      Hi Susan! That’s great that you recreated the recipe. I’ll stop by and take a look. Thanks:)

      Reply
  2. Marta @ What Should I eat for breakfast today says

    August 3, 2013 at 00:32

    This cake looks so delicate und yummy. I also love the background on your pictures. And I’m googling this book :D

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 3, 2013 at 00:43

      Thanks Marta, it was very delicate and very yummy. Enjoy the book!

      Reply
  3. Rosa says

    August 3, 2013 at 01:38

    That is one of my favorite curries! A beautiful cake.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 3, 2013 at 14:17

      Mine too, thanks Rosa!

      Reply
  4. Kumar's Kitchen says

    August 3, 2013 at 08:47

    gorgeous clicks…rice and rendang look irresistible…starry cake is so pretty…awesome :-)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 3, 2013 at 14:18

      Thanks Kumar!

      Reply
  5. Nandita says

    August 3, 2013 at 10:21

    Oh wow! The dish lookssobeautiful. I loved the blue background. Beautiful post as always Nancy :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 3, 2013 at 14:18

      Thanks Nandita!:)

      Reply
  6. Helene D'souza says

    August 3, 2013 at 13:14

    You are so lucky indeed Nancy! =) How sweet of your friends for sending you these gifts. =)
    I have an Ukrainian friend here, I ll show her the pic if I get some time. She doesn’t know that much English but she ll be able to say what your wonderful cake is called.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 3, 2013 at 14:19

      I really am blessed and so lucky. Ah, thanks so much Helene. It would be great to find out the name. Have a great weekend:)

      Reply
  7. Serena says

    August 3, 2013 at 15:17

    I can almost smell the spices withe these beautiful photos. What a fun post withthe gorgeous cake and new foods (for me)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 3, 2013 at 16:58

      Thanks so much Serena, I hope you can try the rendang soon.:)

      Reply
  8. Daniela says

    August 3, 2013 at 17:55

    Mmh,the beef looks irresistible with all these wonderful spices! I can nearly smell the aromas of cloves,coconut and chili.
    Great shots Nancy.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 4, 2013 at 14:36

      Thanks so much Daniela! As it cooks you really can smell all of those wonderful scents.

      Reply
  9. Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says

    August 4, 2013 at 00:05

    I LOVE Rendang! I have a Paleo version on my site based on a recipe from Saveur that is awesome but it does cook all day long :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 4, 2013 at 14:43

      I’ll have to check out your blog and recipe Alyssa, thanks!

      Reply
  10. yummychunklet says

    August 4, 2013 at 04:54

    I love the look of those desserts!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 4, 2013 at 14:43

      It was delish!

      Reply
  11. Joanne T Ferguson says

    August 4, 2013 at 04:56

    G’day Nancy and LOVE Rendang and your photo has me drooling for some right now, true!
    PERFECT weather for it now in the Land Down Under too!
    The cakes looks delightfully lovely,
    Perhaps it may be kievskiy? As there are many special and secret Ukrainian family recipes of this cake…
    Cheers! Joanne

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 4, 2013 at 14:51

      Hi Joanne,

      Yes, this dish will warm you right up. It’s similar but not quite exactly like a Kievskiy cake, but you may be right. Thanks so much!

      Reply
  12. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    August 4, 2013 at 07:30

    Such a pretty cake, it’s leaping off the screen! I’ve never tried Rendang but I love the flavors!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 4, 2013 at 14:51

      I think you would love it Laura, thanks!

      Reply
  13. Ramona says

    August 4, 2013 at 14:11

    I’m drooling over the rendang curry and then you pulled out the Ukrainian cake… what a way to finish the meal. :) I would have loved to eat this meal…. both dishes look spectacular. Hope you had a great weekend. :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 4, 2013 at 14:52

      It was a wonderful meal with a perfect sweet ending. You would love the rendang because it is so spicy and very flavorful. Thanks and hope you have a great week ahead!:)

      Reply
  14. john@kitchenriffs says

    August 4, 2013 at 19:33

    I love Rendang! But I’ve never made it before – definitely something I need to correct. Yours looks wonderful – thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 5, 2013 at 22:58

      You should, John. Thanks!

      Reply
  15. Vicki Bensinger says

    August 5, 2013 at 03:45

    I’ve never had this dish before but the meat looks so rich, juicy and flavorful. With the addition of coconut milk I can only imagine the flavor it has.

    As for this cake, it’s beautiful. Can’t you ask your friend the name of it? Now I’m curious. I may have to go try and locate this online to make. It looks so delicious. If you find out the name of the cake please let us know.

    By the way, the blue background is beautiful. What program are you using or is this just some sort of cloth?

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 5, 2013 at 23:00

      He didn’t know the name either, but if I find out I’ll let you know. The background is the color of my board, I painted it myself. Thanks Vicki:)

      Reply
  16. mjskit says

    August 5, 2013 at 05:45

    I’ve never had rendang before, but your description (which has me drooling BTW) makes it sound like a Carne Adovado – meat simmering for hours in a spicy sauce. Thanks for listing the ingredients in the rendang spice because I had no idea. I definitely need to check it out on Amazon because I am a sucker for a spicy spice mix. Fabulous dish and as always- your pics make me want to grab a fork and start eating.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 5, 2013 at 23:01

      Yes, quite similar to that dish and many other Mexican ones too. I hope you can give it a taste soon as I’m sure you’ll love it. Thanks, MJ!:)

      Reply
  17. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    August 5, 2013 at 09:35

    I heard about rendang and always want to taste this dish. I had no idea there is a packaged spice! Great to know!! Also, oh my gosh the ukrainian cake looks beautiful!!!!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 5, 2013 at 23:02

      I think there’s a package spice mix for just about everything, hehe. Thanks Nami, I hope you can try it sometime.

      Reply
  18. easyfoodsmith says

    August 5, 2013 at 13:21

    I once tried Lamb Rendang and loved the layers of flavors. Your clicks make the dish look so appetising and that cake is truly beautiful :-)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 5, 2013 at 23:03

      Lamb rendang is so good too — maybe even better than the beef. Thanks so much!

      Reply
  19. Shema George says

    August 5, 2013 at 15:59

    Wow…such beautiful food and pictures. I love beef with lot of spices… beef rendang is something i haven’t heard of but I am sure gonna love it. The cake look stunning… a work of art indeed

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 5, 2013 at 23:03

      Yes, I think you would love it Shema. Thank you!:)

      Reply
  20. Ash- foodfashionparty says

    August 5, 2013 at 20:55

    Never tried Indonesian food and love your dish. The cake is adorable.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 5, 2013 at 23:04

      You should try it sometime Ash, I think you’d enjoy it. Thank you!:)

      Reply
  21. My Kitchen Stories says

    August 8, 2013 at 04:14

    I love Rendang so much. You are a lucky girl. That book on Cambodian cooking looks very interesting too.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 8, 2013 at 22:40

      Indeed, thanks so much Tania!:)

      Reply
  22. Evelyne@cheapethniceatz says

    August 8, 2013 at 22:24

    I have not had it many(enough) times but I love Indonesian food and it really is exotic. This looks amazing, bookmarked.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 8, 2013 at 22:41

      I too haven’t tasted many Indonesian dishes, but I do love them all and how exotic they are. Thanks so much Evelyne!:)

      Reply
  23. Irina @ wandercrush says

    August 9, 2013 at 04:14

    This is mouth-watering! Rendang always gets me. I wish we had more of it in the West.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 10, 2013 at 00:13

      Thanks Irina!

      Reply

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