I'm Thankful The Damn Week Is Over...

So there I was hugging the incredible hulks of mangoes as they were plucked from the tree. All smiles, giddy, awed by how many I could wrap my arms around at once. It was hot so I splashed water on my face, neck & chest in between carrying my load, like Gunga Din. He was lucky, he carried water. I was naive, I carried fresh mangoes with its sap running onto my body. It was a few days later, after the painful itching rash & swelling began, that I learned that I had an allergic reaction to the mangoes. Specifically, the clear fluid that oozes after its umbilical cord with the tree is severed. That fluid contains the same chemical compound found in POISON IVY!!!! I've been a mess ever since. Google "mango allergy" and educate yourself because we're living in a tropical paradise and Mother Nature sometimes has a wicked sense of humor.

To distract myself from all of this, some other force of Nature decided that it would be interesting for a pipe to burst under the bathroom floor at the bakery. That's how Sunday morning started. You might understand why I'm anxious to get back to work and safely encase myself in flour. For this last week in August we'll feature Lebanese, Greek & Turkish lunch entrees courtesy of Stephanie Tues-Thur, and I'll be doing my New York City thing Fri-Sat. See details below.

We're ending the month on a high note. Saturday night, August 29, Steph & I will team up to present the Spanish Beach Dinner. The menu is based on lush picnics I've participated in on the wonderful island of Menorca, in the Mediterranean off the coast of Barcelona. As usual there will be two seatings @ 5:30 and 7:30; you can bring your own wine, beer or sangria; it is all inclusive at $20+tax/per person; we don't take credit or debit cards, cash only; reservations required. Call 941-746-6647 to reserve...space is limited. Here's the menu:

Gazpacho (icy cold pureed tomato based vegetable soup); Tortilla Espanol (classic potato & onion frittata); Gambas a la Plancha (large shrimp grilled with lemon & olive oil, then chilled) served with Aioli Caper Sauce; Orange & Red Onion Salad (with raisins, almonds & olives) dressed with Spanish Vinaigrette, Huevos Rellenos de Gambas (deviled eggs with shrimp, Spanish olives & paprika); Pan Integral (fresh baked crusty wheat bread); Dessert (Seasonal Fruit with Spanish Pastries) and Beverages (Citrus Iced Tea, Assorted Sodas and Coffee). Bring your own wine, beer or Sangria. No corkage fee. Menorcan sandals, optional.

Hugs from the kitchen,
Bonni
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TUES August 25 Steph’s LEBANESE Menu served 11-2

Lentil Lemon Soup V
A traditional lentil soup with spinach, mint and lemon, served with homemade Pita 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.$4
Add chicken for $2

Falafel V
Spicy chickpea croquettes stuffed into homemade Pita bread with organic home grown lettuce, tomato, and topped with cucumber sauce. $4

Chicken Pita:
Spicy yogurt marinated shredded chicken breast stuffed into homemade Pita bread with home grown organic lettuce, tomato and topped with cucumber sauce. $4

Choose Two: pick 2 items from above. $7.50

Handmade Pita $.50 each

V indicates vegetarian

Beverages:
Coffee or Hot Tea $1.50
Iced Tea $1.50
Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, Bottled Water $1.00

Desserts
Baklava $2
Carrot Cake w/Cream Cheese Frosting $3.50
Double Chocolate Brownie $2
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WED AUGUST 26 Steph’s GREEK LUNCH served 11-2

Chick Pea Soup V
A hearty soup of chick peas with lemon, parsley and onions, served with Farmer’s bread. $4

Greek Salad V
Tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese with my own Greek dressing; served with Farmer’s bread. $4

Spinach Pie V
Fillo dough filled strudel style with spinach, onions, parsley, eggs, feta cheese baked to a golden brown. $4

Bread & Cheese V
Slices of Farmer’s bread served with Feta cheese and Kalamata olives. $4

Choose two: pick 2 items from above. $7.50

Farmer’s BreadV
A rustic, crusty bread baked right here. Take some home! $3.50/loaf
V = VEGETARIAN

Beverages:
Coffee $1.50
Iced Tea $1.50
Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, bottled water $1

Desserts:
Carrot Cake w/Cream Cheese Frosting $3.50
Double Chocolate Brownie $2
Baklava $2
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THUR August 27 STEPH'S TURKISH LUNCH served 11-2

Chick Pea Soup V
A hearty soup of chick peas with lemon, parsley and onions, served with Farmer’s bread. $4

Turkish Salad: V
Mixed salad greens from my organic garden, red beans, tomato, mint, parsley, with lemon-mustard-olive oil dressing served with homemade Pita bread. $4 Add chicken $2

Baba Ganough: V
Eggplant roasted and pureed with tahini and garlic and cumin,served with homemade Pita bread. $4

Falafel: V
Spicy chickpea croquettes stuffed into homemade Pita bread with lettuce, tomato, and topped with tahini garlic sauce. $4

Chicken Pita
Spicy yogurt marinated shredded chicken stuffed into homemade Pita bread with lettuce, tomato and tahini garlic sauce $4

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

Brown bread: (V)
Whole wheat, oats hearty bread. $3.50/loaf Take some home!

V = VEGETARIAN

Beverages:
Coffee $1.50
Iced Tea $1.50
Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, bottled water $1

Desserts:
Baklava $2
Carrot Cake w/Cream Cheese Frosting $3.50
Double Chocolate Brownie $2
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FRI August 28 & SAT August 29 BONNI'S BASIC NYC LUNCH served 11-2
Cheddar Corn Chowder
Kernals of young local corn surrounded by a creamy cheddar infused broth with potatoes, onions and bacon. Served with homemade bread on the side. $4

The Classic NYC Salad w/Shrimp
The perfect marriage of organic baby greens, red onion, toasted almonds, sweet pepper, manadarin & plump poached shrimp. Served w/Tropical Viniagrette. $7.50

Ses Salinas Salad (V)
Mixed organic greens, cucumber, tomato, red onion, Spanish olives & Feta cheese, served with Bonni’s Honey Dijon Vinaigrette $4Add chicken $2

Pick Two (V) Bowl of Soup, House Salad OR A Stromboli* $7.50
*choose Florentine w/spinach & tomato) (V) or Roasted Veggies w/Feta (V)

HANDMADE 8” 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(V) $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
Sweet Potato Rum Punch Cake w/Whipped Cream $3.50
Chocolate Orgasm Cookies $4.50/pkg of 4
Large crunchy cookie (assorted flavors) (V) $1.25

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/Half-DeCaff Flavored Coffee $1.50
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Remember, we love you but we don't take debit/credit cards...or your first born.
If you'd like to join our email list and receive weekly updates of menus & events in The Village, send your request to bonnibakes@gmail.com

LUNCH SERVED TUES-SAT FROM 11-2.

SPECIAL OCCASION CAKES TO ORDER AND CATERING AVAILABLE.

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

bonnibakes@gmail.com