BONNI BAKES BROOKLYN: April 2014

Monday, April 14, 2014

To quote Groucho, "Hello, I must be going"

I do love a challenge. Repelling into a cenote, especially stepping off into the nothingness (like NO FLOOR) was initially pretty scary...followed by elation.

It's easy for me to get comfy in a familiar spot, but ultimately I realize I need to move on to something else. Right now I'm not sure what that is, but I know it's time to get my house in order and my ass out the door. When I started this baking adventure in 2011 it allowed me to recreate memories of my childhood. I thank all of you who have been my munching companions along the way.

This will be my last BONNIBAKESBROOKLYN BLOG for a while. After this week's menu, baking & Friday's pick-up, I'm closing my kitchen so I can focus on other things. Consolidating three buildings into one during the last year (and I'm not done yet), has been an exhausting process. It's time for me to clear my brain & sinuses (during this mega pollen season), travel and explore possibilities a bit.

Manatee Children's Services has opened their new Center for the Arts in my former BONNI BAKES Bakery/Cafe at 930 12th St West. They are starting their Art Classes for Children & Adults, as well as featuring several artists in their Gallery. For more details & class registration call Amalia at (941) 727-1143.

Today I spent the day organizing spaces in my home, the TreeHouse. That included removing everything from my pantry hidden under the staircase.

I feel so much lighter & happier now that it only contains things I want. It also provided a chance for me to clean out things I really don't need and duplicates, like multiple boxes of Instant Oatmeal.

In the morning I'll take them to Our Daily Bread at 701 17th Ave West, our local Soup Kitchen. If you also have extra food, this is a great time to help our local organizations stock their pantries. And Turning Points (in the same building) will gladly take household items for their clients who are setting up apartments. Or you can volunteer a few hours a week, just ask for Cheryl. If we all contribute something, it makes us all stronger!

I'll be posting a lot of things for sale on Craig's List in the coming months. It will take a while before I get around to the Joe Fordham Collection of items from my Dad's pharmacy career. Then there is the Irv & Gert Weil Collection of Mid-Century Modern Furniture from circa 1953. And that doesn't include the Throne Chairs who have been in my family for almost 100 years. Stay tuned.

Here's what I'm baking this week in my kitchen:

CRANBERRY PECAN CORN MUFFIN $2

This recent combo of mine has become an instant favorite. I'm baking it this week because Elaina asked me to. If you haven't had the pleasure, it's a buttery corn muffin punctuated by yummy cranberries & toasted pecans. Maybe I should call it Butter Pecan Corn Muffin with Cranberries.

THE BIG COOKIE $1.50

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

CHOCOLATE ORGASM COOKIES $5/pkg

Your last chance to get my legendary chocolate delivery system made from melted Belgium Bittersweet chocolate, toasted almonds, chocolate chips & very little flour. Not sold anywhere else.

MY GRANDMA'S STRUDEL COOKIES $5/pkg

For years people have asked "What are those things in that picture at the top of your blog". Well, I can't duck out without giving you a chance to enjoy my version of what Grandma baked for our family every Friday. A delicate outer crust embracing a magical filling blending toasted nuts, raisins and jam (homemade in my case). We got our allotment in a recycled cardboard egg carton; I'll do better for you

CINNAMON SWIRL RAISIN BREAD $5

I don't think I could stop baking without making this loaf available one last time. Over 1/2 lb of raisins per loaf & made with the REAL CEYLON CINNAMON as part of that heavenly scented swirl.

JAM & CHUTNEY $4/jar

The selection is down to under a dozen to choose from. I only have 8 Mango Chutney (with free recipe for my famous CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD), 1 Ginger Pear Chutney, 1 Blueberry Lemon Jam, 1 Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper Jam left.

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

LAST WEEK TO ORDER BY 5pm WED. & PICK-UP

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)

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

Monday, April 7, 2014

LET THE APRIL CELEBRATIONS BEGIN...

The next few weeks are filled with lots of holidays & celebrations. It starts April 8th, the birthday of my son Rob, who ran away from home on horseback at a young age. He thrived in the woods amongst creatures he called his "furry brothers" and was cared for by an albino witch who played the glockenspiel. Ultimately he was discovered & drawn out by Giraldo Rivera, who explained to Rob that his family lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan near Zabar's and spent time in Vermont. In a media blitz we were reunited on the Jerry Springer Show and never looked back. His unique childhood is probably why he is a filmmaker today, but I love him anyway. Very Happy Birthday Roberto!! Here's looking at you kid.

Passover begins this week, and although I'm not religious, I'm still grateful to my ancestors who lived the not quite off-Broadway version of "Fiddler" in Russia. Just take a look at these happy kids on their wedding day. For them, each grueling day could also bring another pogrom and destruction.

But somehow they begot my grandparents; who, toying with the not so gentle suggestion of extinction, thought it was a good idea to emigrate to New York City. In their honor I am making a Passover Dessert, because LIFE should be more than boring matzoh.

Coming up on April 19th is the Annual Village of the Arts Brunch & Fashion Show.

We've come along way baby since these early fun days in the front yards on 11th Ave. This year the venue is the beautiful deck under the incredible spreading oak tree of MOTORWORKS BREWING. Just a few tickets left, so call Vicki at (941) 302-1069 to reserve yours. I'll be supplying my famous BONNI BAKES CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD, along with great food from the other Village foodies.

Thanks to those of you who took the time to visit & tour my TreeHouse last weekend during the Garden Walk. It was my pleasure to share some of my design concepts & resources with you.

Here's what I'm baking this week in my kitchen:

MORNING GLORY MUFFIN $2

You'll jump out of bed and head for the kitchen if you have one of these muffins waiting. A delicious balance of fresh carrot, apple, pineapple, coconut, walnuts, orange & sunflower seeds. Made with 50% whole wheat flour too!

STRAWBERRY & CHEESE TWIST $3.50

I loved the Cinnamon Apple Twist I made the other week and thought I'd play around with a new filling. This one will have cream cheese, fresh strawberries and some of my Strawberry Meyer Lemon Jam. They won't be as humongous as the last ones, but just as yummy!

THE BIG COOKIE $1.50

Individually wrapped & available in the following flavors: Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, 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.

CHOCOLATE TOFFEE MATZOH CRUNCH $5/pkg

The best thing that every happened to Passover. Kosher-for-Passover matzoh topped with a layer of yummy caramel + bittersweet Belgium chocolate + toasted sliced almonds. Who needs cake?

JEWISH CHALLAH LOAF $4.50

What a great way to enjoy leavened bread before Passover starts. But you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this fluffy egg bread with butter, as toast or the best french toast ever!

ROSEMARY PARMIGIANO BREADSTIX $4/pkg

Even though my tomato plants have bitten the dust, my perennial Rosemary continues to thrive. When joined by Italian Parmigiano Reggiano, these crunchy Breadstix sing a tune of their own.

JAM & CHUTNEY $4/jar

The selection is getting slimmer, with only 1 or 2 jars of some flavors. Choose from: Mango Chutney, Ginger Pear Chutney, Blueberry Lemon Jam, Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper Jam (wonderful with sharp cheese as an appetizer), and Berry Basket Jam.

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