TEOCHEW
HERITAGE
COOKING
CHEF ERIC LOW
TEOCHEW
HERITAGE
COOKING
A treasury of recipes
for Chinese comfort food
Editor: Lydia Leong
Designer: Bernard Go Kwang Meng
All photographs by Hongde Photography except for those on
pages by Chef Eric Low
Copyright 2015 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited
Published by Marshall Cavendish Cuisine
An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International
All rights reserved
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used their best efforts in preparing this book. The Publisher makes no representation
or warranties with respect to the contents of this book and is not responsible for the
outcome of any recipe in this book. While the Publisher has reviewed each recipe
carefully, the reader may not always achieve the results desired due to variations in
ingredients, cooking temperatures and individual cooking abilities. The Publisher shall
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National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Low, Eric, author.
Teochew heritage cooking : a treasury of recipes for Chinese comfort food / Eric Low.
Singapore : Marshall Cavendish Cuisine, 2015.
pages cm
ISBN : 978-981-4634-28-1 (hardcover)
eISBN : 978-981-4677-35-6
1. Cooking, Chinese. 2. Teochew (Chinese people) Food Singapore. 3. Cookbooks.
I. Title.
TX724.5.C5
641.5951 dc23OCN911198254
Printed by Times Offset (M) Sdn Bhd
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to
my late grandfather Mr Lee Sin Chye
who was himself a Teochew master chef.
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing a cookbook may look easy, but it takes
years of experience in the kitchen to write good
recipes recipes that people can trust. Without
the support of the following people, I would not
have had the inspiration and stamina to push
forward with this book, which has been my
dream all these years. It is now a reality.
My deepest appreciation goes to my
mum, Mdm Lee Kah Gek, who encouraged
me when I took on this profession at a time
when being a chef was seen as lowly. Only
with her encouragement, was I able to face
the many challenges and setbacks early on
in my career. When the opportunity came for
me to go abroad to gain invaluable working
experience, she gave me her blessings despite
all the risks that came with running a kitchen
onboard a super yacht, and having to cope
on her own back home. While working on this
book, mum showed her support again, assisting
with logistics and helping out in the kitchen
throughout the recipe-validating process and
photography session.
I would also like to thank my musically
talented wife, Naomi, whom I met while I was
abroad. Her love and understanding allowed me
to take on greater challenges and achieve greater
success each time.
And to those who have helped shaped my
career throughout these years:
Chef Randy Chow, who was my mentor in
the early years. There were times when we had to
camp in the kitchen at work just to deal with the
demands of the festive period. Chef Randy also
opened the doors for me to enter professional
culinary competitions and showed me what true
sportsmanship and discipline were about.
Chef Otto Weibel, who guided me in my
career progression and taught me business
relationship skills beyond the kitchen.
Chef Peter Knipp, who opened the window
of opportunity for me to develop my passion
for culinary writing as a contributor to his highly
successful Cuisine & Wine Asia magazine, and to
go on the world stage to key culinary events for
exposure.
Chef David Ang, who gave me the
opportunity to expand my horizons and
experience the culinary world in Europe and
America for 5 years.
Dr Lien Wen Sze and Ms Cheryl Ng, who
introduced me to the world of food science and
guided me during my years with Nestl. Without
their encouragement, I would not have had the
motivation to step out and push myself to reach
new heights and in the process, validate my
passion in the culinary world.
Last but not least, my fellow chefs in
Singapore and around the world, thank you for
your continued friendship and care.
INTRODUCTION
The Teochews
The Teochews originate from the Chaoshan region in