STOP, SMELL THE ROSES...OR THE LEMONS

Look at this delicate flower on my Meyer Lemon tree. It's finally showing some activity for the first time since we moved it six months ago. And the aroma...oh my, to me it's heavenly. If you come to pick-up your order at my TreeHouse on Friday, take a moment to stop and inhale its intoxicating smell. I wish I could bottle it. And where there's a blossom, there should be a fruit soon.

My "Big Bertha" peppers suddenly started turning red a few days ago, and it's amazing how quickly the color intensifies each day. One little plant in an Earth Box has produced half a dozen huge fruits. I speak lovingly to them each day, encouraging their growth. Such fools, they don't realize I'm really the Wicked Witch who is only dreaming of eating them! Hold the breadcrumbs.

On the other hand, where is the broccoli? All I've seen are large healthy leaves but no sign of little florets inside. Almost as slow growing as the Brussels sprouts. Ah those brassicas, not only are they good for you, but they instill patience.

This week there were lovely heads of cauliflower available at the Palma Sola Farmers Market. I took advantage and made one of my favorite vegetarian dishes, "Roasted Cauliflower with Tomato & Cheese". To make it, break the head into golf ball sized chunks & place in an oven-proof dish; drizzle a little olive oil, salt, pepper & optional herbs of your choice over the top, and bake 10 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Remove from oven; spread drained contents of a 14 oz can of petite cut tomatoes (or halved fresh cherry tomatoes) over cauliflower, followed by grated cheese of your choice & Panko breadcrumbs. Dot the top with 1 TBL of cut-up butter. Return to oven & bake at 400 degrees for about 10-15 minutes until browned on top. The Market is open to the public Sundays 11-3 and you don't have to be a CSA member to buy fresh picked produce grown on the farm.

On a personal note, the time has come for me to sell my much loved Natuzzi leather cream colored 90" couch. I'm ready to follow my original inclination when I designed the TreeHouse, to create space for the 8' French oak dining table & chairs that Rea & I bought. The current living room space will become the dining room. Tomorrow the couch will be listed for sale on Craig's List for $500...it cost $2000. It's in great shape with no cuts or damage to the soft leather, which has been "broken in" over time with our butts. If you're interested, call me at (941) 746-6647.

Here's what I'm baking this week:

BREAKFAST CORN MUFFIN    $2

The soft texture of a non-greasy corn muffin is studded with sauteed scallions, cooked bacon and  lots of melted Cheddar cheese, especially on top. Satisfying, filling and even yummier when toasted.

OUTRAGEOUS BROWNIE     $2.50

These intensely chocolate brownies share their interior with large toasted walnuts for a marriage made in Heaven, but enjoyed here on Earth  by you with every bite.

HAZELNUT DARK CHOCOLATE BISCOTTI   $2.50/pkg

The perfect "dipping cookie" that tastes so good with a cup of coffee or espresso. Freshly roasted hazelnuts are enhanced by Frangelico liqueur & hunks of 70% Belgium Bittersweet Chocolate. Oh yah!

THE BIG COOKIE    $1.50 

Individually wrapped & available in the following flavors:  Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Orange Belgium Dark Chocolate Walnut, Oatmeal Raisin Walnut, Snickerdoodle, Pecan Coconut Belgium Milk Chocolate

CHOCOLATE ORGASM COOKIES    $5/pkg

My legendary chocolate delivery system made from melted Belgium Bittersweet chocolate, toasted fresh almonds, chocolate chips & very little flour. Sold in packages because you must have more than one.

NYC ONION ROLLS      $3.50/pkg of 4

The same rolls my Dad brought back from the Jewish bakery on Sunday morning. Soft & light inside, with a thin crisp crust covered in sauteed onions & poppy seeds. Makes a great sandwich or just enjoy one slathered with butter and homemade jam. And now, I'm ready for the Sunday NY Times crossword.

CHALLAH LOAF  $4.50 

This traditional Jewish bread has a special place at the table on Friday nights. Its fluffy interior is perfect for making French Toast or Bread Pudding, if there's any left over.

CRACKED PEPPER PARMIGIANO BREADSTIX    $4/pkg

Just the thing to add a sharp crunch with that soup, salad or dip. Made with lots of imported Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, cracked multi-colored peppercorns and fresh oregano from my organic garden.

HOMEMADE  JAM  CHUTNEY & MARINADE     $4/jar

Cranberry Pear,  Blueberry Lemon, Mango Chutney, Ginger Pear Chutney and Tropical Tangerine Marinade.  Enjoy Plant City strawberries in my  Strawberry  Mango Cardamom  and Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper (wonderful with sharp cheese as an appetizer).

MY GARDEN TOMATO TRIO      $3/pint      FINAL WEEK

A melange of "Juliet" (mini Roma), "Chocolate Cherry" (large full flavored) & "Lady Bug" (red cherry) PLUS a small appearance of the elusive round yellow ones whose name I've forgotten.

 Everything always hand-made in small batches with the best ingredients & locally sourced when possible. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or fake stuff EVER!!

ORDER BY 5pm WED.  PICK-UP AVAILABLE EITHER 

FRIDAY  12-4 in the Village of the Arts

at BONNI's TreeHouse 

932 12 St W (down the driveway thru the white wrought iron gate) 

OR

SUNDAY 11-3 at Palma Sola Farmers Market

  at Geraldson's Community Farm, directions at

facebook.com/palmasolafarmersmarket

ALL ITEMS IN LIMITED SUPPLY...FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

TO PLACE AN ORDER 
email  bonnibakes@gmail.com  

OR  
call me at (941) 746-6647 

   PAY BY CASH OR LOCAL CHECK TO BONNI BROWN  

 Hugs from my kitchen,
Bonni

YOUR FREE CHANCE TO LEARN & NIBBLE

This coming weekend is an opportunity for you to become the Great & Powerful OZ. It's the annual STUDIO TOUR in the Village of the Arts when you get to look behind the curtain to see how things are created. It takes place Fri Feb 21 & Sat Feb 22 from 12-4pm and a list of participating galleries will be available for your self-guided tour. More info available at www.villageofthearts.com

I'll be demonstrating, sampling & answering baking questions in the kitchen of my TreeHouse this Friday from 12-4, when customers can also pick-up their pre-0rdered items. 

COME THROUGH THE WHITE GATE

ENTRANCE TO MY TREEHOUSE

Come to 932 12th St W, walk through the white iron gate in the driveway to the 2 story house in back. Please stop by.

Sometimes a cooking experiment has an unexpected outcome. Mike brought me tangerines from his father's organically grown tree. I made Tangerine Lemon Marmalade but it wound up tasting bitter, due to all of the hand cut rind that took forever to do. I had invested too much time to walk away. Instead I added fresh pineapple & cranberries to balance the flavor, but it was still too tangy for my taste. 

I gave Mike a jar to try and he cleverly used it as a marinade with pork, with outstanding results. Last night I thought I'd try it too. I seared seasoned chops quickly in a hot pan on top of the stove. Then I coated both sides with marinade & finished cooking them in the oven. The marinade melted & caramelized onto the meat. Served with additional marinade on top, it provided a fruity tangy sauce for the meat & was delicious!! Now available for you as Tropical Tangerine Marinade.

I hope to see you at the Village of the Arts Friday 12-4 or at Palma Sola Farmers Market Sunday 11-3, where last week there were 14 baby goats to play with...

don't miss the newest batch this week & the freshest organic veggies grown on the farm. 

Here's what I'm baking this week:

MORNING GLORY MUFFIN    $2

Carrot, pineapple, apple, walnuts, raisins, coconut, sunflower seeds & whole wheat flour add up to a healthy delicious muffin that you can grab on the go & still find satisfying. Or choose to savor it very slowly.

BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP mini MUFFIN      2 for $1

The yummy marriage of ripe bananas and melting chocolate in a delicate little muffin. Just the right size for an adult nibble and perfect for little kid fingers to handle on their own. And did I mention they're cute!

NYC JEWISH APPLE CAKE    $3/slice

Just like the cake I grew up with...lots of cinnamon covered fresh apple chunks surrounded by a moist not-too-sweet cake. A match made in heaven, or Brooklyn, by generations of immigrants using family recipes.

CHOCOLATE ORGASM COOKIES    $5/pkg

My legendary chocolate delivery system made from melted Belgium Bittersweet chocolate, toasted fresh almonds, chocolate chips & very little flour. Sold in packages because you must have more than one.

BROOKLYN BIALYS   [VEGAN]    $3.50/pkg of 4

I've been visualizing breakfast with a stack of Brooklyn bialys waiting to be toasted & shmeared with cream cheese. Topped with chopped scallions, garden tomatoes & nova, this week my fantasy comes true.

THE BIG COOKIE   $1.50

Individually wrapped & available in the following flavors:  Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Orange Belgium Dark Chocolate Walnut, Oatmeal Raisin Walnut, Snickerdoodle, Pecan Coconut Belgium Milk Chocolate

ROSEMARY PARMIGIANO BREADSTIX     $4/pkg

Enjoy the way the imported Parmigiano Reggiano cheese marries with the fresh picked rosemary from my garden...plus they stay crunchy down to the last bite! Perfect as a snack or alongside soup, salad or a drink. 

HOMEMADE JAMS & CHUTNEYS     $4/ jar

Cranberry Pear,  Berry Basket,  Blueberry Lemon, Mango Chutney, Ginger Pear Chutney and Tropical Tangerine Marinade (see description above).  Now that Plant City strawberries are here, I've added new batches of Strawberry  Mango Cardamom  and  Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper (wonderful with sharp cheese as an appetizer).

MY GARDEN TOMATO TRIO    $3/pint  [this may be the last week]

A melange of "Juliet" (mini Roma), "Chocolate Cherry" (large full flavored) & "Lady Bug" (red cherry) and a small appearance of the elusive round yellow ones.

 Everything always hand-made in small batches with the best ingredients & locally sourced when possible. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or fake stuff EVER!!

ORDER BY 5pm WED.  PICK-UP AVAILABLE EITHER 

FRIDAY  12-4 in the Village of the Arts

at BONNI's TreeHouse 

932 12 St W (down the driveway thru the white wrought iron gate) 

OR

SUNDAY 11-3 at Palma Sola Farmers Market

  at Geraldson's Community Farm, directions at

facebook.com/palmasolafarmersmarket

ALL ITEMS IN LIMITED SUPPLY...FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

TO PLACE AN ORDER 
email  bonnibakes@gmail.com  

OR  
call me at (941) 746-6647 

   PAY BY CASH OR LOCAL CHECK TO BONNI BROWN  

 Hugs from my kitchen,
Bonni

Even then Abe Lincoln thought the glass was half full...my kinda guy

I'm a traditionalist, born during a quaint era when birthdays were celebrated on the actual day they took place. In that vein, I plan to honor the birth of Abraham Lincoln and all he achieved & sacrificed for this nation on his true birthday, February 12th, not Monday February 17th as part of  a fictitious "Presidents' Day".

In researching how Abe & George wound up glommed together, sharing a cake the third Monday in February, I discovered this bizarre fact from the Center for Legislative Archives

George Washington was born in Virginia on February 11, 1731, according to the then-used Julian calendar. In 1752, however, Britain and all its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar which moved Washington's birthday a year and 11 days to February 22, 1732.

So, if that's the case, and I was born in a hospital mistakenly using an old Julian calendar (Brooklyn was not very sophisticated back then), then I too am probably a year & 11 days YOUNGER according to Gregorian Chant, et al. Who needs plastic surgery, I just need a Calendar Wonk. 

NOTE TO ABBY & ROB:
Sorry for the mistake & thanks for the celebration last Dec in Tulum but we'll be celebrating my 70th birthday again on Jan 10, 2015...start saving!!

This week was filled with the true birth days of many baby goats that Glenna brought to the Market Sunday. Unfortunately my video skills suck and I wasn't able to upload my video of almost a dozen adorable kids, less than a week old and a few less than 24 hours old!! 

That's what you miss when you don't come out to Palma Sola Farmers Market Sundays 11-3 at Geraldson's Community Farm in NW Bradenton. You'll find the freshest organic veggies just picked from their fields and vendors like me. You can order baked goods via email, then pick-up your baked items Sunday 11-3 at Palma Sola Farmers Market, then go across the street to explore Robinson Preserve. 

It's an amazing place that attracts wildlife with easy bike & walking trails; an opportunity to put your kayak or canoe in the water around the mangroves; a free observation tower to climb & watch the variety of birds, or just a chance to be in a natural setting without extraneous noise. A great way to spend a Sunday morning, even for a newly minted 30 year old Luke.

Here's what I'm baking this week:
CRANBERRY PECAN CORN MUFFIN  $2

If you enjoy the flavor of "butter pecan", you'll love this slightly sweet corn muffin studded with tart cranberries and crunchy toasted pecans. Tastes perfect to me!

NYC RUGELACH  $4.50/pkg    [REQUESTED BY FRANCINE]

The quintessential Jewish pastry, made with a cream cheese dough and filled with walnuts, raisins, jam & cinnamon. Individually hand rolled; they'll melt in your mouth & leave you smiling.

CHOCOLATE ORGASM COOKIES   $5/pkg

My legendary chocolate delivery system made from melted Belgium Bittersweet chocolate, toasted fresh almonds, chocolate chips & very little flour. Sold in packages because you must have more than one.

VEGGIE CALZONE   [VEGAN]   $4

Filled with a delicious combination of roasted butternut squash, sauteed onions, fresh spinach, herbs and quinoa,  & tucked inside my handmade pizza crust. Perfect to heat, grab & go.

MINORCAN MULTI-GRAIN BREAD  [VEGAN]  $4.50 

Inspired by a bread in Spain, this crusty loaf hides a soft interior flecked with almost a dozen types of grains and seeds. Toasting really brings out all of their complex flavors.

THE BIG COOKIE   $1.50

Individually wrapped & available in the following flavors:  Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Orange Belgium Dark Chocolate Walnut, Oatmeal Raisin Walnut, Snickerdoodle, Pecan Coconut Belgium Milk Chocolate

ROAST GARLIC BLUE CHEESE BREADSTIX   $4/pkg

Enjoy the subtle dance as warm roasted garlic plays against the sharp Gorgonzola in your mouth...and they're crunchy to boot! Perfect as a snack or alongside soup, salad or a drink. 

HOMEMADE JAMS & CHUTNEYS   $4/ jar

Cranberry Pear, Mango Meyer Lemon, Berry Basket,  Mango Chutney and Ginger Pear Chutney. AND THE RETURN OF Strawberry  Mango Cardamom and Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper.

MY GARDEN TOMATO TRIO  $3/pint  [very limited availability]

A melange of "Juliet" (mini Roma), "Chocolate Cherry" (large full flavored) & "Lady Bug" (red cherry) and a small appearance of the elusive round yellow ones.

 Everything always hand-made in small batches with the best ingredients & locally sourced when possible. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or fake stuff EVER!!

ORDER BY 5pm WED.  PICK-UP AVAILABLE EITHER 

FRIDAY  12-4 in the Village of the Arts

at BONNI's TreeHouse 

932 12 St W (down the driveway thru the white wrought iron gate) 

OR

SUNDAY 11-3 at Palma Sola Farmers Market

  at Geraldson's Community Farm, directions at

facebook.com/palmasolafarmersmarket

All items in limited supply...first come, first served

TO PLACE AN ORDER 

call me at (941) 746-6647 

  or email  bonnibakes@gmail.com  

   PAY BY CASH OR LOCAL CHECK TO BONNI BROWN  

 Hugs from my kitchen,
Bonni