A unique collection of iconic dishesfrom the Straits-born community, including Eurasians, Chetti Melakans, Indonesian Chinese, Malays and Indonesians that became family favorites through the generations While researching the Straits-born community for this cookbook, Lee Geok Boi realized that the culinary delights typically classified as Peranakan were more than just Straits Chinese. They are also Eurasian, Chetti Melakan, Indonesian Chinese, Malay and Indonesian. The trove of salads, curries, soups, stews, kueh-kueh, cakes and biscuits are all found in the different branches of the Straits-born communities who were drawn to this island at the crossroads of world trade. They show the histories of exploration, economic imperatives and colonization that go back to the days of the Maritime Silk Road. Although there are differences, Straits-born cuisines share many common elements and dishes. Fragrant local roots and leaves, chillies originally from Central America, and spices from the famed Spice Islands and South and West Asia were ground up to prepare iconic dishes that became family favorites through the generations. Discover the rich history and unique culinary flavors of the Straits-born communities with Lee Geok Boi's In A Straits-Born Kitchen. Includes dual measures.

"Starting with charred fried rice and ending with flaky pineapple tarts, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan takes us along on a personal journey that most can only fantasize about--an exploration of family history and culture through a mastery of home-cooked dishes. Tan's delectable education through the landscape of Singaporean cuisine teaches us that food is the tie that binds." --Jennifer 8. Lee, author of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles After growing up in the most food-obsessed city in the world, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan left home and family at eighteen for America--proof of the rebelliousness of daughters born in the Year of the Tiger. But as a thirtysomething fashion writer in New York, she felt the Singaporean dishes that defined her childhood beginning to call her back. Was it too late to learn the secrets of her grandmothers' and aunties' kitchens, as well as the tumultuous family history that had kept them hidden before In her quest to recreate the dishes of her native Singapore by cooking with her family, Tan learned not only cherished recipes but long-buried stories of past generations. A Tiger in the Kitchen, which includes ten authentic recipes for Singaporean classics such as pineapple tarts and Teochew braised duck, is the charming, beautifully written story of a Chinese-Singaporean ex-pat who learns to infuse her New York lifestyle with the rich lessons of the Singaporean kitchen, ultimately reconnecting with her family and herself. Reading Group Guide available online and included in the eBook.

With over 800 unique photographs, this Chinese art book is a feast for the eyes. Produced exclusively for wealthy Chinese communities along the Strait of Malacca in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Peranakan Chinese porcelain is enjoying a resurgence of interest among collectors. Straits-born Chinese, or Peranakans, in Penang, Malacca and Singapore, used this ornate and colorful enamelware on festive occasions such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and Chinese New Year. Peranakan Chinese Porcelain is richly illustrated and includes key information on reign marks and factory marks. In-depth discussion of the motifs, colors, forms and functions of Peranakan Chinese ceramics makes this an invaluable reference. Supporting photographs and text introduce related aspects of Peranakan culture including architecture, dress, cuisine and customs, making Peranakan Chinese Porcelain a wonderful contribution to the history of the Straits Chinese.

This pivot considers the use of porcelain vessels within multi-dialect cultural spaces in the consumption of cooked food in Singapore. In a place of ubiquitous hawker centres and kopitiams (coffee shops), the potteries used to serve hawker foods have a strong presence in the culinary culture of Singaporeans. The book looks at the relationship between those utensils, the food/drinks that are served as well as the symbolic, historical, socio-cultural and socioeconomic implications of using different kinds of porcelain/pottery wares. It also examines the indigenization of foreign foods in Singapore, using two case studies of hipster food – Japanese and Korean. While authentic Japanese and Korean cuisines find resonance amongst the youths of East Asia, some of them have adapted hybrid local features in terms of sourcing for local ingredients due to costs and availability factors. The book considers how these foods are hybridized and indigenized to suit local tastes, fashion and trends, and offers a key read for East Asian specialists, anthropologists and sociologists interested in East Asian societies.

Wartime Kitchen: Food And Eating In Singapore (1942-1950) Captures The Resilience And Adaptability Of A People Faced With Limited Resources And Shortages During The Japanese Occupation And In Post-War Singapore, Never Before Examined In Detail.

A Peranakan Legacy captures the rich heritage of a fast disappearing way of life and put on record many traditions and practices which were previously handed only down from generation to generation. The term ‘Baba’ is used to refer to the Straits-born Chinese or Peranakans. The Babas boast a unique culture and way of life that is an amalgamation of Chinese and Malay customs and etiquette. Their culture is perhaps best captured in the beautiful clothing, stunning jewellery, pretty porcelain and other artefacts used in daily living. Girls were taught, from a young age, how to cook a variety of elaborate meals as well as crafts such as beading and embroidery. The result is a rich legacy of splendid kebayas (embroidered blouses), beadwork and various other items. Through lavish, full-colour photographs of Peranakan artefacts and clothing, this book explains the origins of the various customs and traditions. While some customs are still practiced today, other more complicated ones have disappeared as modern babas adapted to contemporary lifestyles which are deemed more convenient and practical.

Growing up, Quentin and his five siblings—no matter what they were doing—were always home on Sunday for lunch and dinner. Those two meals were always cooked by their father, Robin Pereira. Robin took to cooking after his father and brother were killed in action. He did so because his mother went to work and he was left to care for his sister. The dishes he prepared were passed on to him by his mother, Charlotte, who along with her sisters catered for Eurasian weddings.The word Eurasian is a portmanteau of European and Asian. Literally, it means a person born of a European and an Asian. In Singapore, the term Eurasian is recognised officially, and the people are considered a race in and of themselves. Eurasian food is an exotic blend of East and West. It is quintessential fusion food, going back to the 16th century.As executive chef and owner of Quentin’s—the Eurasian Restaurant, Quentin Pereira carries on his father’s legacy, satisfying exotic cravings of epicureans from all corners of the world. This book is a collection of his dad’s well-guarded secret recipes, published as an easy-to-follow, elegantly designed cookbook. Robin’s Eurasian Recipes is part of Epigram Books’ award-winning Heritage Cookbook series, which showcases the best of Singapore’s major cuisines through authentic family recipes.

Featuring authentic recipes from master chefs in Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam The Food of Asia offers fascinating insights into the historical, geographic and cultural context of these recipes, enhancing your appreciation of these ancient cuisines. Anyone from the experienced cook to the novice can quickly prepare delicious meals by following the comprehensive; illustrated guide to ingredients, and helpful hints sections. This cookbook contains hundreds of recipes from 12 Asian countries and over 200 photos. The Food of Asia features recipes for appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, snacks, drinks, desserts, and more. Recipes include: Daikon salad Shark fin soup Samosas Tuna sambal Beef sukiyaki Bulgogi Nasi Ayam Rendang Daging Chicken & pork adobo Crab curry Steamed seafood cakes Beef pho And many more favorites from all over Asia! Also featured are measurement and unit conversion tables. Each chapter contains the history and culture of each featured country. You will learn about the food and customs of Asia while also learning how to set up an organized multi course dinner menu for every special occasion.

Having turned 85 years old this year, Madam Choy has a collection of Cantonese recipes which she has kept from newspapers and magazines over the last fifty years—all of them fondly adapted to her own style. Born in a well-to-do family in Seremban, she didn’t really have a chance to cook until she was married at 16 and came to Singapore. Her love for cooking grew only in 1957, when she moved to a bigger house with a large kitchen of her own. As someone who has a discerning tongue, Madam Choy often taught her children the language of food tasting. Texture and fragrance were as important as food to taste. Noodles should be darn ngah “spring off the teeth”. Fried dishes must have wok hei (“breath of the wok”). More such Cantonese terms can be found in the book. To Madam Choy, cooking is more art than science; nothing is measured and every ingredient is added by instinct. After fifty years of tasting and trying, she has more than ninety recipes ready to share. Some of the Cantonese recipes in the book range from the higher-end ones such as Abalones in Oyster Sauce, Bird’s Nest Chicken Soup, and Cordyceps soup, to simpler ones such as Bitter Gourd Omelette, Potato Cakes, and Salt Baked Chicken. This book of Cantonese recipes is compiled with the help of Madam Choy’s daughter, Lulin Reutens. This third revised edition has been updated with the addition of seven new mouth-watering recipes, including Eight Treasures Beancurd and Braised Pork Belly in Dark Soya Sauce. Madam Choy’s Cantonese Recipes is part of Epigram Books’ award-winning Heritage Cookbook series, which showcases the best of Singapore’s major cuisines through authentic family recipes.