This is not a cookbook. It is the story of a people. In the Malay Archipelago - encompassing Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia - the ingredients in a dish reflect the richness of the region. Sublime flavours build ties of kinship, while familiar foods hold their own in tales of kings and dynasties. In the heart of this region lies Singapore. Here, the grandeur of Malay cuisine reflects the eclectic origins of its people. It is central to their art of living. It is their unwritten story. And what better way to chronicle the story of a people than through its food? This landmark publication explores in detail the history and culture of Malay food in Singapore. How did Malay cuisine evolve to its modern-day form? How has geography influenced the way Malays eat? What cultural beliefs shape the rituals of Malay gastronomy? What does food tell us about the Malay worldview? Chapters include: the art of foraging; techniques of preservation and preparation; sweets and savouries; food as medicine; aesthetics and symbolism; cultural exchanges and adaptations; feasts and celebrations. Coupled with over 400 stunning photographs from travels around the region as well as 40 detailed recipes for recreating key Malay dishes (both the popular and the obscure), this highly anticipated book is set to be the definitive work on Malay gastronomy. Includes dual measures.

The term Eurasian has been in use since the mid 19th century, during British rule in India. The British coined the term to define a person born to a British father and an Indian mother, and it was officially used in the Straits Settlements records in 1849. Today, the term is used to refer to a person who has both European and Asian parentage. The Eurasians in Singapore can trace their origins to various trading ports in the region where Europeans have settled, including Malacca, Penang, Bencoolen, Goa, Ceylon and Macau. Contained in these book is one of the most exciting collection of recipes for delectable Eurasian cooking that one can find.

Long before fusion cuisine captured the imagination of the world, the Peranakans were blending Chinese ingredients and cooking techniques with the spices and native ingredients used by the indigenous Malays, over time establishing a repertoire of recipes avidly followed to this day. Peranakan food is typically aromatic and spicy and features ingredients that include cocnut milk, galangal, turmeric, candlenuts, laksa leaves, pandan leaves, tamarind pulp, lemongrass, chillies, shallots, basil and coriander.

McAmis also gives attention to the history of their relationship with Christians - a history that is key to understanding the current state of religious and social life in places like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Since Muslims and Christians together comprise ninety-four percent of the Malay population, peaceful interaction and cooperation between mosque and church are crucial to realizing the economic and political goals of the entire region.".

Malay Cuisine in Singapore is a reflection of the country's multifaceted heritage and culture. It is strongly influenced by Indonesian and Malaysian cuisines and has infused elements from the various ethnic communities in Singapore's immigrant society. This book incorporates recipes passed down from one generation to another and reproduces the traditional elements of the past while mirroring the tastes of the present.

A visual guide to the country's delicious street food On the hunt for the ultimate food experience in Singapore? This guide to the city's popular hawker dishes will help the adventurous visitor discover why Singapore is known as a street food paradise. Find out what goes into these yummy-looking dishes - from snacks such as Nyonya Kueh to one-dish meals like Char Kway Teow - and learn to order them just like a local. Each entry includes a color photograph of the dish as well as a description of what is in it. And for those clueless about what is kopi-si siew dai or mee tai mak, the book includes a glossary of local drinks available and also a visual glossary of noodle types. "If you want the real food in Singapore, get yourself to a hawker center." --Gordon Ramsay

An urgent collection of short stories from one of Singapore's most celebrated voices, now published in America for the first time.