Monday, June 15, 2009

Live a Little...Learn a Little

It occurs to me that I've been forced to learn a lot of new things of late. Usually I embrace the opportunity to expand my horizons, as long as it isn't in a formal classroom over the course of months or years. I outgrew that when I went back to graduate school to get my MSW 20+ years after receiving my BA. It felt like alien territory initially, surrounded by some classmates who were contemporaries of my own children. But within a short time our class bonded into a focused core group which was strengthened and enhanced by the variety of our ages, religions, ethnicities and sexual orientation. Hunter College School of Social Work's admission committee makes sure that at least 10% of each class is gay/lesbian, in order to accurately reflect the greater society.

Probably the most remarkable student I met there was a nun, about 70 years old. She had been a member of an Order that sent her to Africa many years earlier. While there, her community realized that they needed a dentist. When one wasn't able to be found, they decided to send her back to the US for dental school. For several decades thereafter she was the sole dental provider in that region and trained many native Africans to assist her and expand the ability to offer services to neighboring areas. When the Order realized that they needed to confront new social issues and no one had the training to do that, they sent her back to get her MSW. The lesson was clear and simple: they identified a need and did something about it...utilizing the resources they had available. I met her just as she was preparing to fly back and begin the next chapter in her life.

Because of the vast variety of life experiences we each brought to the classroom, I learned as much from my classmates as I did from the core classes. There was an overriding attitude of DOING...if you saw that something needed to be done, jump in and volunteer to make it better. It's how I came to write the first "Book of Social Services Resources for the Bronx", all 75 pages of it. When I worked with a client in a counseling session, I was frustrated that there was no list of resources I could consult in order to make a referral for them. I became a "resource junkie", amassing lists of agencies & services within the borough, which I shared with my co-workers. Ultimately, I turned it into a book and was able to self-publish a modest number of copies. I didn't get paid. I didn't get extra credit. I just did it because it needed to be done. When Montefiore Hospital (where I spent the year as an MSW intern in the country's first hospital Employee Assistance Program) decided to fund future updating/distribution of my book, I grinned from ear-to-ear. That was payment enough!

During these multi-stressful times, I encourage you to "jump in" and help when you see something or someone whose life you can improve. Along these lines, I want to restate my offer for local non-profit organizations to hold a free fund-raiser at Bonni Bakes. Just call me at 941-746-6647 or email bonnibakes@gmail.com and we can discuss it.

IF YOUR'E UP FOR EXPERIENCING SOMETHING NEW & DELICIOUS, WE'RE OFFERING 3 CLASSES THIS MONTH, AS WELL AS AN ETHIOPIAN DINNER JUNE 23. ALL REQUIRE ADVANCE REGISTRATION. FOR DETAILS, OR TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE, CALL 941-746-6647.

Tues June 16 @ 7pm "EASY AS PIE!"
Stephanie shares her love of baking & 30 years of experience as a pastry chef as she shows you how to make a pie that you'll be proud to present to family & friends. Everything from how to make the dough, rolling, filling, lattice crust and baking will be discussed. Enjoy coffee/tea and pie, plus recipes, for only $20/per person.

Tues June 30 @ 7pm "BAKING WITH FILLO"
Overcome your fear of fillo as Stephanie walks you through the process of building layers of this paper-thin dough, fillings (both sweet and savory), rolling into strudels or appetizers and baking. Enjoy coffee/tea and strudel, plus recipes, for only $20/per person.

Sat June 27 @ 3pm "MOMMY (OR DADDY) & ME IN THE KITCHEN"
Join Bonni for a hands-on workshop for kids (6-12 years old) accompanied by their choice of adult (any age). Have fun cooking together and making delicious food favorites, like pizza, while creating lasting memories. Perfect Father's Day gift. Limited enrollment (so everyone gets individual attention) only $30/per pair.

We're offering LUNCH TIME DELIVERY SERVICE Tues-Fri between the Manatee River/17th Ave/W 14th St/ E 9th St. The plan is for deliveries to leave every 30 minutes (11:30, 12, 12:30, 1, 1:30 & 2pm). We've gotten a new fax machine so you can fax your order in early (from 9am) and we'll have it ready to deliver at your specified time. Same phone number: 746-6647

Hugs from the kitchen,
Bonni
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Tues JUNE 16 Steph’s TRADITIONAL ETHIOPIAN LUNCH served 11-2

Spicy Chicken (Doro Wet) Chicken stewed with lots of onions, tomatoes, Ethiopian spices, and a hard boiled egg. $8

Mild Beef Stew (Zigni Alicha) Beef stewed with lots of onions, garlic, ginger and Ethiopian spices.$8

Both served with:
Chickpea Sauce (Yeshiro)
Collard greens (Yeabesha gomen),
Mixed Vegetable Stew (Yeataket alicha) Carrots,potatoes, and cabbage
Red Lentils (Yemisir kik wet)
A spongy sourdough pancake like bread (Injera) to scoop up the food.

Vegetarian Platter $6
Includes:
Chickpea Sauce (Yeshiro)
Collard Greens (Yeabesha gomen)
Mixed Vegetable Stew (Yeataket alicha)
Red Lentils (Yemisir kik wet)
A spongy sourdough pancake (Injera) is served on the side to scoop the food up with.

Beverages:
Coffee $1.50
Iced tea $1.50
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Bottled water $1

Desserts:
Mom’s Apple Pie $3.50
Chocolate Walnut Rum Ball $2
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Wed JUNE 17 Steph’s MOROCCAN LUNCH served 11-2

Pumpkin Soup V
Moroccan Ras el Hanout spiced pumpkin pureed with milk and vegetable broth, garnished with plain yogurt and cilantro; served with Moroccan country bread $4

Couscous Salad V
Tomato, red and green sweet peppers, greens beans, chickpeas, cucumbers, raisins, green olives and couscous mixed with a tahini, mint, lemon and extra virgin olive oil dressing; served with Moroccan country bread $4

Moroccan Chicken Sandwich
Saffron, cinnamon & ginger spiced chicken served on Home made Country Bread $4,

Moroccan Chicken Pie
Cinnamon, ginger, saffron spiced chicken sandwiched between layers of crisp phyllo pastry with almonds $4

Choose two: pick 2 items from above, served with Country Bread. $7.50

V indicates vegetarian

Moroccan Country Bread
A rustic, plain bread. Take some home! $3.50/loaf

Beverages:
Coffee $1.50
Iced tea $1.50
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Bottled water $1

Desserts:
Mom’s Apple Pie $3.50
Chocolate Walnut Rum Ball $2
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Thurs JUNE 18 Steph’s INDIAN LUNCH served 11-2

Spiced Carrot Soup V

A creamy, coriander, cumin and turmeric spiced carrot soup made with my home grown organic carrots served with pappadum. $4

Cucumber Yogurt Salad V
Shredded cucumbers in cumin, garam masala spiced yogurt dressing served with pappadum. $4

Stuffed Pepper V
Bell pepper stuffed w/potato, eggplant & yogurt spiced with coriander, cayenne, garam masala and cilantro baked to perfection served with fresh mint chutney served with pappadum. $4

Samosa V
Diced potatoes, peas and broccoli spiced with cumin, fenugreek, ginger, turmeric, coriander, asafetida, cloves, and cinnamon fill a golden pastry turnover. $4

Choose Two: pick 2 items from above, served with pappadum. $7.50

Pappadum V A thin crispy cracker type bread. 2/$1

V indicates vegetarian

Beverages:
Coffee $1.50
Iced tea $1.50
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Bottled water $1

Desserts:
Mom’s Apple Pie $3.50
Chocolate Walnut Rum Ball $2
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Fri & Sat JUNE 19 & 20 Bonni's NYC & Upper Eastside Grazing Lunch served 11-2

Thinking about some of those fun cocktail parties we frequented on the Upper Eastside of New York, where grazing was the game and an icy martini was the drink, inspired this week's menu.

Bloody Mary Soup
A concentration of roasted fresh tomato in homemade stock with Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, lemon & vodka (of course!). Served w/Horseradish Cream on the side & crisp Breadstix $4

Cocktail Party Hors d’oeuvre Platter
A sampler plate filled with an assortment of delicious hors d'oeuvres, available also as a Vegetarian plate $7.50

Ses Salinas Salad (V)
Mixed organic greens, cucumber, tomato, red onion, Spanish olives & Feta cheese, served with Bonni’s Honey Dijon Vinaigrette $4

Grilled Chicken Breast added to your salad $2

Pick Two: Bowl of Soup, House Salad OR A Stromboli* $7.50
*Florentine (V)(spinach/tomato) Roast Veggies (V) or Mexican Chicken

HANDMADE 8” INDIVIDUAL 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, garlic, chicken, broccoli, mozzarella, scallions $7
(V) = Vegetarian

Dessert
Chocolate Orgasm Cookies (V) $4.50/pkg of 4
Bonni's "Biscotti To Die For" (V) $2.50/pkg of 2
Large crunchy cookie (assorted flavors) (V) $1.25
Homemade Muffins (V) $1.75

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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For a copy of our JUNE 2009 Bonni Bakes Menu List (in PDF form), just email a request to bonnibakes@gmail.com

BONNI BAKES
in the Village of the Arts
930 12th Street West
Bradenton, FL
(941) 746-6647

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