The New Mrs. Lee's Cookbook, Vol. 2: Straits Heritage Cuisine (v. 2) [Hardcover]

Chin Koon Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 2004

In the 19th century, people of all races flocked to Southeast Asia to trade and seek new life. Among their traditions and beliefs, they also brought with them the cuisines of their hometowns, which blended over time. The New Mrs. LeeÂ’s Cookbook Vol. 2: Straits Heritage Cuisine is a collection of recipes that testify to this unique culinary heritage.

A Peranakan, the late Mrs. Lee Chin Koon (1907-1980) compiled her own collection of recipes that included a mix of Nonya and local dishes, and published Mrs LeeÂ’s Cookbook in 1974. The cookbook has since had numerous reprints, and has become widely accepted as one of the authorities on Nonya and local cuisine in Singapore.

Now, three decades later, these well-loved recipes have been faithfully and lovingly reworked by her granddaughter, Shermay Lee, into two fully illustrated cookbooks. The first, The New Mrs. LeeÂ’s Cookbook Vol. 1: Nonya Cuisine was launched in 2003. It won the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2003. This second cookbook, The New Mrs. LeeÂ’s Cookbook Vol. 2: Straits Heritage Cuisine features a delightful mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian recipes, and also includes anecdotes explaining their origins. New useful sections have also been added, including:

• a comprehensive illustrated glossary of ingredients

• a glossary of basic kitchen equipment

• step-by-step illustrations of basic food preparation

• a list of useful contacts

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Shermay Lee is an investment banker-turned-chef. She revised her grandmotherÂ’s classic cookbook, Mrs LeeÂ’s Cookbook , into two beautifully illustrated cookbooks, namely The New Mrs. LeeÂ’s Cookbook Vol. 1: Nonya Cuisine, and The New Mrs. LeeÂ’s Cookbook Vol. 2: Straits Heritage Cuisine. The former went on to clinch the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2003 and is a bestseller.

A sixth-generation Peranakan with a strong culinary tradition, she started cooking at the age of five. She learnt the rudiments of cooking first from her grandmother, Mrs. Lee Chin Koon, then later, at the renowned classical French culinary institute, Le Cordon Bleu. Prior to that, she graduated from Brown University, USA, in Political Science and History.

She has opened her own cooking school, ShermayÂ’s Cooking School, in Singapore, where she personally teaches Nonya cooking as well as other types of cuisine. She has plans to continue publishing other cookbooks.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Corp/Ccb (September 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9812327053
• ISBN-13: 978-9812327055
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,072,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best ever, September 6, 2008

By 

Judith Culwell (Texas,) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The New Mrs. Lee's Cookbook, Vol. 2: Straits Heritage Cuisine (v. 2) (Hardcover)

We lived in Singapore in 1971 and 72 and I actually took cooking classes from Mrs. Lee in her home. While she cooked she lectured on the culture of the Island and how it was to grow up during WWII. These recipes are exactly as I remember and are those served today in the markets.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for entertaining but great for the kids too, August 20, 2005

By 

Erika M - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Mrs. Lee's Cookbook, Vol. 2: Straits Heritage Cuisine (v. 2) (Hardcover)

I find the New Mrs Lee's Cookbook so versatile - It's so handy when I need to entertain and yet also contains good ideas for kids too. As a new mom, I find recipes like Sook Muy Tong (creamed corn and minced chicken soup), Lobah (shredded yam and meat) and Potato Balls easy to prepare and help take away the pain of trying to get the little one to finish his meals.

By the way, this book is great as a gift too; the recipes are easy to follow and the photos are incredible - they really make your mouth water.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 24, 2005

By 

Maiesha Sigler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Mrs. Lee's Cookbook, Vol. 2: Straits Heritage Cuisine (v. 2) (Hardcover)

These cookbooks are excellent for anyone who wants to enjoy authentic Nonya Cuisine. My favorite dishes are "Chicken wrapped in Paper" and "Curry Devil." These dishes are delectable and the directions are easy to follow. Even though I love cooking I do not have much experience cooking Asian cuisine. What I find most difficult about Asian cuisine is that I am unfamiliar with the ingredients and I don't even know what most ingredients look like. However, with both of these volumes at my side, I was able to go into my grocery store and get the ingredients I needed because each book has a photo glossary of all the ingredient that are needed to make every dish. In addition, the cookbooks are truly beautiful; every recipe has a final picture of what the dish should look like as well has useful tips and basic cooking techniques to make sure that each dish is authentic. I highly recommend these books to anyone who loves Asian cuisine.