What's Cooking this Week Jan 27 -31, 2009

I've been distracted for the moment from the swirling economic news by the arrival of Chinese New Year, the Year of the Ox. The lunar year 4706 in the Chinese calendar began January 26th and it's comforting to think in terms of something strong, steady and solid. Ever since my trip to China in 2000 with a group of anxious adoptive parents, this annual celebration triggers visions of giggling girls, all of them 9 to 11 years old now. My terrific little cousin Melanie is one of them. I honor all of the kids & parents who bridged the culture gap and nurtured desperate babies (at age 2 Melanie weighed 21 lbs) into the beautiful, talented, reassured people they are today. This past weekend those families gathered in MA to celebrate together, as they do every year. When I heard that the "China Sisters" made the wontons, I thought, "if they can do it, so can I". This isn't the first time I've prepared Chinese food. Last time was in an ancient kitchen in Menorca, Spain where we washed everything down with Spanish champagne (cheaper than bottled water at the time). Growing up in NYC meant lots of wonderful meals in Chinatown, especially if you were lucky enough to be accompanied by a Mandarin speaker who ordered without a menu. I'll be adding some Chinese items for lunch Saturday, when it's my turn in the kitchen.

This coming Saturday evening, Jan 31 at 6:30pm, Chef Walter (graduate, French Culinary Institute) will be teaching how to make show-stopping Hors D'Oeuvres w/a French Touch. Relax with a glass of wine, taste everything and take home the recipes so you can duplicate it in your own kitchen. $25 per person, reservations required. Call Bonni at 746-6647. Limited seats available.

We're hosting another Traditional Ethiopian Dinner on Tuesday evening, Feb 3, prepared by Stephanie Peterson & her daughter Rahel Manna, using family recipes handed down by Steph's mother-in-law. It's all inclusive, only $15 per person. Two seatings: 6pm and 8pm (last time the 8pm sold out quickly). The meal consists of a large platter covered with injera (thin sourdough bread), spicy chicken stew, chick pea sauce, mustard greens, spiced cottage cheese, mild beef stew, mixed vegetable stew, spicy red lentils and traditional drinks (bring beer or wine if you'd like). Vegetarian Platters available upon request! Reservations strongly suggested.

But what's cooking THIS week you ask...so here is the yummy lineup.

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Walter's Light French Menu for Tues Jan 27 (served 11-2)

Potage Culivateur
Soup of Blended Organic Vegetables $4

Salade Compose aux Saumon Fume et Chevre Frais Vinaigrette et aux Noix
Organic Fleld Greens w/ Smoked Salmon, Walnuts & Chevre Vinaigrette $5

Jarret de Agneau aux Demiglace
Lamb Shank with Demiglace $8

Filet de Mahi aux Bette Arc-En-Ciel
Mahi Fillet on Organic Rainbow Chard $8

Dessert du Jour $4

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Parvin's Persian Tea House Menu for Wed Jan 28 (served 11-2)

Soup-e Jow
Cream of Barley Soup, barley, carrots, onions and sour cream (V) $3

Tossed Salad
Mixed romaine, iceberg, cucumber & tomatoes w/House vinaigrette (V) $3

Salad -e -oliveh
Potato salad with egg, potato, peas, carrots, pickle, served with pita bread (V)
Appetizer $4

Polouw Morgh
Boneless chicken tenders marinated with saffron, ginger, olive oil and lime juice served with saffron rice or cranberry basmati rice $9

Polow Khoresh-e-Geymeh
Chunks of beef cooked with tomato, yellow split peas, onions, dried lemons in our special gravy, served with basmati rice $9

Sholeh Zard
Persian Rice Pudding (Sweet Rice, Saffron, sliced almonds, dusted with cinnamon $3

Drinks
Hot tea, Iced Tea, Sweet Tea $2 (refills no charge)
Coke, Diet Coke $1 per can

Extras:
White Basmati Rice $1
Pita $1

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Walter's Modern French Menu for Thurs Jan 29 (served 11-2)

Soupe de Lentilles aux Carottes
Organic Lentil Soup with Diced Organic Carrots (V) $4

Salade de Asperges et Oeufs Mimosa
Chilled Asparagus Salad with Vinaigrette and Eggs Mimosa (V) $5

Poulet Chasseur
Hunter's Style Chicken with Mushroom Cognac Reduction $8

Moules aux Poireaux et Verjus
Mussels with Leeks and Red Verjus $8

Dessert du Jour $4

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Bonnie & Hector's Caribbean Menu for Friday Jan 30 (served 11-2)

Fresco
Fresh pressed fruit, veggies & herbs $3.50 (VG)

La Alfalfa y La Ensalada Carbonizada con Vinagreta de Mandarina
Alfalfa sprout & chard salad w/tangerine vinaigrette, seasonal vegetables and egg $5 (V)

Sopa crema enfriada de Calabaza (V)
Chilled Calabaza Bisque w/ red onion, celery & lime $4

Ensalada de Pollo de Aguacate-Hierba
Avocado-Herb based Chicken Salad w/red onion, citrus mayo &
plantain chips Sandwich $7 Salad $8

Mofongo Llenó Almejas con Arroz Amarillo
Plantain-Red Pepper Mofongo Stuffed Clams & Yellow Rice $8

Pastelillos de Mangos y Piña
Mango-Pineapple Turnovers $4 (V)

Para Beber
Orange Iced tea, coffee, bottled water $2

Delivery & Carry Out available 941-580-8085

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Bonni Brown's New York City Menu for Sat Jan 31 (served 11-2)

Soup of the Day
Grace Chu’s Classic Wonton Soup w/Crispy Noodles $4

Salads
Ses Salinas Salad romaine, red onion, cucumber, tomato, Spanish
olives, Feta plus Bonni’s Dijon Vinaigrette (V) $4

Asian Beer Shrimp on cellophane noodles & veggies, w/mixed green
salad & Chinese Balsamic Vinaigrette $7.50

Chicken added to your salad $2

Pick Two: Soup, House Salad OR Stromboli(V) (Florentine or Roast Veggie) $7.50

Handmade 8" Individual Thin-Crust Pizza (vegan available on request)

Naked Cheese mozzarella, red sauce, parmesan, fresh oregano (V) $6
New York mozzarella, pepperoni, red sauce, parmesan, fresh oregano $6
Mahon mozzarella, spinach, tomato, red onion, red sauce, oregano (V) $7
Margherita mozzarella, red sauce, tomato, parmesan, basil, olive oil (V) $7
Chinese Chicken hoisin, roast garlic, chicken, broccoli, mozzarella, scallions $7

Dessert
Celebrate w/a Chinese Almond Cookie (V) $1.75
Large crunchy cookie (ask for today’s flavors) (V) $1.25
Texas-size Muffin (V) $1.75
Chocolate Orgasm Cookies (Pkg/4) (V) $4.50

Drinks
Bottled Spring Water, cans of soda $1
Brewed Raspberry Iced Tea or Hot Tea (assorted bags) $1.50
Our House Blend of Half/Caff Flavored Coffee $1.50

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If you'd like to receive a copy of the weekly menus delivered to your email account, just send a request to bonnibakes@gmail.com

Hugs from the kitchen,
Bonni

Bonni Bakes
in the Village of the Arts
930 12th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34205
941.746.6647

bonnibakes@gmail.com