In this issue of Market Report edition Grace Wang gets to know Nila’s Taste of Indonesia in the Crossroads Market and I Love Biscotti Co., family affair started by Monika and Dale Rossi.
Nila’s Taste of Indonesia:
The tropical port city of Surabaya feels worlds away from snowy Calgary, especially in January. But thanks to Nila Tulis and her husband Pol Polandari, Calgary is now home to authentic Indonesian dishes and showstopping traditional desserts. The couple started Nila’s Taste of Indonesia two years ago to share cuisine from their hometown with Calgarians.
Their stall serves up classics like rendang, a stew of tender beef braised in coconut milk and spices like ginger, turmeric and chili peppers. The rendang is served atop a golden rice, which is cooked with turmeric and coconut milk for an added richness, and finished with homemade spicy, salty sambal, a traditional condiment of chilli peppers, garlic and other ingredients. Another popular dish is their satay chicken skewers, which are flavored with peanut, soy sauce and garlic, and grilled to order. But the hidden gem on the menu is undoubtedly the tossed chicken noodles, a large bowl of springy egg noodles and perfectly seasoned savory soup. Each bite is filled with tender chopped chicken, crispy fried onions, fish meatballs and spicy sambal.
While Pol manages the entrées, Nila focuses on her specialty, desserts. Kueh lapis is a layered tapioca dessert, with each colorful layer painstakingly poured by hand. It is flavored with sweet coconut milk and has a delightful chewy texture, similar to mochi. Other beautiful desserts include Nila’s thousand-layer baked cake and serabi, a traditional pandan cake with coconut milk and palm sugar. If a trip to Indonesia seems unlikely, make sure to visit Nila’s Taste of Indonesia this winter — you won’t be disappointed.
Nila’s Taste of Indonesia | Crossroads Market | 1235 26th Ave. S.E. | 403.681.1223 | Facebook: Nila’s Taste of Indonesia, Instagram: @nilastasteofindo
I Love Biscotti Co.
The thought of biscotti often conjures images of rock-hard cookies, but at I Love Biscotti Co., the exact opposite is true. Monika and Dale Rossi’s biscotti is an original take on the traditional Italian cookie, and provides a satisfying crunch together with a soft, delicate crumb. Each biscotti is handmade and decorated individually, and the care shown comes through in each sweet bite.
Instead of conventional biscotti flavors like almond and pistachio, I Love Biscotti Co. focuses on unique flavors like salted caramel, lemon lavender, and coconut white chocolate. Monika, the baker of the duo, loves to test new seasonal flavours. The couple’s passion for creative biscotti led them to launch I Love Biscotti Co. in 2019 — and it’s a family affair. The couple’s children and relatives can often be found helping with the business.
While 2020 was a challenging year due to the pandemic, I Love Biscotti Co. grew through participation in farmers’ markets in Calgary and nearby communities. Currently, their biscotti can be found at the Dalhousie Farmers’ Market, the Bearspaw Pop-Up Market on February 13th, and at Main Street Market & More in Okotoks.
While the Rossi’s biscotti are soft enough to enjoy without an accompanying drink, they are just as delicious dunked in coffee or milk. As Valentine’s Day approaches, I Love Biscotti Co.’s beautiful biscotti are a tempting treat for a special someone — or yourself!
I Love Biscotti Co. | Dalhousie Farmers’ Market; Bearspaw Pop-Up Market (February 13th) 5432 Dalhart Rd. N.W. (Year-round); 25254 Nagway Rd. | 587.890.1440 | ilovebiscottico.com
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