Krishika Jethani –
Housing agency Neighbourhood Information Post (NIP) launched its first community cookbook with diverse recipes from Moss Park community members on November 16.
Answering questions at the event, recipe contributors said they felt inspired. “They showed how much the cookbook meant to them. I could see they felt really validated and seen, and that their culture felt seen. It was very moving,” said NIP board member Visnja Brcic.
In 2018, Marion Kane, former food editor for the Toronto Star, was in contact with Brcic. “Visnja discussed this [idea] with me and we all loved it and that’s how we got started,” said executive director Gladys Wong.
The project was funded through Kane’s donation and NIP, resulting in 11 contributors publishing their recipes, ranging from appetizers to desserts.
“This is all about empowering the community,” said Wong. “Our principle is we don’t work for them, we work with them.”
Nurleli Siregar shared a recipe for Gulai Ayam & Nasi Kuning, also known as Indonesian Chicken Curry. With ingredients like Thai chillies, Siregar recommends fresh spices over dry ones.
Guests of Honour Ward 13 Councillor Chris Moise and MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam had their own recipes included in the cookbook and attended the event. “Both of them have been really strong supporters of our organization and they come to everything we organize. They have been our rock,” said Brcic.
Moise shared his mom’s banana bread recipe, which he often tweaks, sometimes adding blueberries to keep it moist. “One of the great things I love about our community is the diversity of culture. And with that comes the diversity of food, and I personally love to eat,” he said.
NIP volunteers working with community outreach, recruiting and registration “helped us recruit people who were willing to contribute their recipes,” said Brcic.
Nimo Mohamoud shared a recipe for Somali Rice with Beef Suqaar, where she enhances the flavour with a touch of chicken soup.
NIP staffer Calvin Kwok said participants not only focused on cooking instructions but on where to buy the ingredients. Five to 10 years ago, supermarkets barely sold the ingredients, but they have become more accessible now due to Canada’s multicultural diversity.
Leona Lowe shared a special recipe for her dad’s Shepherd’s Pie, encouraging everyone in the community to experiment with their own ingredients.
The Moss Park community cookbook was launched at the Toronto Public Library on Parliament Street. “The hope is we have this book available in libraries, schools, recreation centres, and more,” said Wong.
