Peranakan is the term given to descendants of early Chinese migrants who settled in Penang, Malacca, Indonesia and Singapore and married the native Malays. Peranakan (or Nonya) cuisine combines the best of Chinese, Malay and other Asian influences to offer a unique fusion of exotic food. The food is aromatic, spicy, and herbal. Peranakan cuisine also includes a wide range of desserts that are popular in this region. Irene was born to a quintessentially Teochew family, and married into a traditional Peranakan family. Cooking wasn’t always her strong suit, and she had to enrol in cooking classes after her marriage. Then, through trial and error, swapping recipes with friends, gleaning cooking tips from neighbours and friends, and tapping on her husband’s discerning taste buds, Irene’s culinary genie emerged. As the years simmered and broiled, Irene gained confidence and started her own cooking classes. She taught at classes organised by the Social Development Unit, the Welfare Club of Tan Tock Seng Hospital and other church groups. With all these classes, she was able to fine-tune her recipes even further. Writing a cookbook had always been on Irene’s mind, but she passed away before she could complete it. This book is compiled by her daughter Elaine Yeo. Irene’s Peranakan Recipes is part of Epigram Books’ award-winning Heritage Cookbook series, which showcases the best of Singapore’s major cuisines through authentic family recipes.

Introducing the Sherlock Sam series by A.J. Low—a fresh, cross-cultural twist on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, tailored for middle-grade readers. Set in iconic Singapore locations, the series follows the mystery-solving exploits of smart, observant, food-loving 10-year-old Samuel Tan Cher Lock (a.k.a. Sherlock Sam), Watson, his reluctant robot sidekick, and the rest of the Supper Club (a “Scooby Doo gang,” of sorts) as they prove that mysteries are best solved through teamwork. In Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong, Auntie Kim Lian’s precious Peranakan cookbook disappears, and Sherlock Sam cannot eat her delicious ayam buah keluak anymore! Will Sherlock Sam be able to use his super detective powers to find this lost treasure? Praise: “A promising adventure series with Super Sleuth Sherlock Sam! His insatiable appetite to sample Singapore’s popular foods and never-give-up attitude to solving mysteries will keep readers glued till the last page.” —Adeline Foo, author of the bestselling series The Diary of Amos Lee “A thrilling kid’s detective romp in the grand tradition of Famous Five, with a lovable robot and delicious Peranakan food!” —Otto Fong, author of Sir Fong’s Adventures In Science “Sherlock Sam and Watson are set to become one of Singapore’s favourite detective duos! Sam’s preoccupation with food struck a familiar chord with the Singaporean in me and Watson’s deadpan one-liners had me laughing out loud. What afun-filled, food-filled adventure story! This is a delicious read that will certainly warm your heart like a good serving of ayam buah keluak!” —Emily Lim, award-winning author of Tibby, the Tiger Bunny and Prince Bear & Pauper Bear “Watson is a delightful creation. He follows a rich line of great robot companions from Star War’s R2D2 to Star Trek’s Data; no detective should leave home without one!” —Sonny Liew, Eisner-nominated author of Malinky Robot “A genius kid detective would be good. A genius kid detective with a wise-acre robot sidekick is even better. Add a wicked sense of humor and you’ve one of the sharpest, funniest books you’ll read all year.” —Hal Johnson, author of Immortal Lycanthropes “This book will definitely draw you in with its twists and turns that will leave you guessing with each turn of the page who the culprits are. There are also many funny lines from Watson that will cause you to burst out in laughter.” —Seow Kai Lun, ?Singapore's Child “A clever, entertaining and funny children's novel...a promising start to a new book series [with] bold and whimsical illustrations by drewscape” —Tina Gan, Red Dot Diva “This debut local novel is rich (in local references) and satisfying (as a mystery story).” —Stephani Yeo, Young Parents “BOTH boys were clamouring to read the book first, so I was left with no choice but to read the book TOGETHER with the both of them...I found it to be utterly captivating enough to make me want to complete the book in one sitting...the localized dialogue is hilariously tongue-in-cheek and the book's subtle appeal to a child's instinct for the mysterious proved to be just what kept both Ash and Ayd deeply intrigued.” —Kelvin Ang, Cheekiemonkies “A.J. Low have created an intriguing tale which would keep young readers eager to find out what happens next, while subtly documenting old-school landmarks such as Chin Mee Chin Confectionery and Katong Antique House. Looks set to be a betseller.” —Clara Chow, My Paper “I like this book because it leaves you with questions in your mind which make you want to keep reading.” —Greta Roberts, 9, in Expat Living Singapore

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.

Winner, Best Chinese Cuisine Book, Singapore, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2012 Enjoy the rich culinary heritage of the Teochews with this compact cookbook, which features over 80 authentic family recipes. Besides the usual Teochew fare of steamed fish and ngoh hiang, this book features many little-known traditional Teochew dishes—some even exclusive to the author’s family, such as Ho Pung and Sio Bee. These time-tested recipes are painstakingly compiled by Mr Lau Chiap Khai’s daughter, Tan Lee Leng. A woman of many talents, Lee Leng is a food consultant, food writer, chef, food stylist, and a formally trained potter. Lee Leng was trained in the art of Teochew cuisine by her father, and holds a diploma from Le Cordon Bleu in London. Her father, affectionately known by friends and family as Uncle Lau, handed down their family’s recipes to Lee Leng in the hopes that she preserve their heritage. By compiling her father’s recipes, Lee Leng has shared this Teochew culinary heirloom so that current and future generations will be able to enjoy these wonderful recipes. Uncle Lau’s Teochew Recipes is part of Epigram Books’ award-winning Heritage Cookbook series, which showcases the best of Singapore’s major cuisines through authentic family recipes.

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.

“Never cook when you are angry or grudging because the dishes will be bitter”. This was what Madam Ambrose Krishnan used to preach to her children. She was a gregarious person, and always more than willing to share her food, recipes and knowledge to anyone who had an interest. To her, the most important ingredient in cooking is the love that one puts into the dish.Madam Krishnan’s family hailed from Pondicherry, a French colony in South India, which was why most of her dishes had some French influence. Her husband’s family was from Kerala, South India and she had to learn Keralite cooking to please her in-law’s palate. Since young, Padma and her siblings had the privilege of enjoying choice cuisines from both Kerala and Pondicherry. The recipes in this book are mainly from Madam Krishnan’s repertoire of recipes, and Padma also shares some recipes that are exclusive to their family. Also included in the book are some recipes that Padma has modified and improved to give the traditional recipes a new twist and also to suit the tastes of the younger generation. This book of South Indian recipes is compiled by Madam Krishnan’s daughter, Padma. In publishing her mum’s recipes, she hopes to preserve the South Indian heritage, so that the future generation can enjoy traditional, authentic South Indian dishes. Madam Krishnan’s South Indian Recipes is part of Epigram Books’ award-winning Heritage Cookbook series, which showcases the best of Singapore’s major cuisines through authentic family recipes.

Dear Diary, Life in New York was looking great. Summer vacation was around the corner, and I’d FINALLY turned 13! Then Mom announced we’d be moving halfway around the world to Singapore, where she grew up. Now it feels like my life is SO over. I don’t know anyone here, my family’s totally weird and everything seems to go wrong at my new international school. How do I express myself when we have to wear UNIFORMS? How do I avoid the mean girls and keep cool around my crush? One thing’s for sure—I’m gonna figure this out! Things aren’t easy for Rosie Smith. Peek into her diary for tales about her spider-obsessed little brother, EMBARRASSING episodes at school and making friends—and enemies—in her new home, Singapore. Narrated with honesty and charm, and peppered with humorous illustrations, Girl Overboard! is a fresh new series whose heroine you’ll find yourself rooting for.