Small Household Food Exchange @The Family House, Sun Feb 4

Despite multiple trips to Fort Wayne, Indiana for their Burmese food, I have not been to the new Burmese restaurant in Chicago. This omission will be corrected when the Small Household Food Exchange meets on Sunday February 4th.

My doodle suggested a timing of 7 to 9 pm. If everyone is on board, could we switch to 1 pm? It's been pointed out in some posts the A-team is in the kitchen during the day. I am flexible, though blush knowing this could have been covered with the doodle.

The Family House
2305 W. Devon
Chicago IL, 60659
(773) 856-0192

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We're always interested in fresh blood. Even if you can't exchange, please join us for dinner and conversation!

What is the Small Household Food Exchange, you may ask.

Most importantly, it’s a gathering of like-minded folks at an interesting restaurant for a meal, taking advantage of the ordering power of a good number of people to share and sample a good number of menu items.

The Small Household Food Exchange started so that those of us in 1-2 person households who love to cook aren't stuck eating that big pot of chili for a whole week. Instead, we make 4-10 servings of one dish, and bring home 4-10 different dishes. Exchanging participants bring one pre-portioned serving of their food for every exchanger who has RSVP’d to come that month. The priority will be for entrees, meats, soups, salad, stews, pastas, grains, etc. (Check the Events Board, there’s a separate Dessert Exchange.)

The fine print
Number in the group: We will cap attendance at each gathering at 12, and food exchange participants at 10, so that participants are never making more than 10 servings of anything. Couples can be counted as one serving, or two — if you come as a couple, please specify whether you're bringing one or two dishes to exchange.

There will be no restrictions on the food – we’re an omnivorous bunch. IF ANYONE HAS ANY ALLERGIES, PLEASE LET THE GROUP KNOW.

The containers/delivery system: Everyone in the group should use the GLADWARE 3 1/8 CUP PLASTIC CONTAINERS (7” x 7” square container with a blue lid). You’ll portion your food into those containers to bring and hand out at the gathering. You can freeze them or not depending on your schedule and when you make your food. If you use something else to deliver your food that month (Ziploc bags, plastic wrap, etc.) you should also return the empty containers from the last round so that everyone always has a stash of these containers for the exchange, and no one has to run out and buy more. Ideally, everyone will find a way to label their containers, describing the contents, so we don’t end up staring into our freezers at a field of blue-lidded containers and wondering what’s in each one (not that there’s anything wrong with the occasional surprise …).

Please RSVP your attendance by responding in this thread one week before the monthly gathering. If you're exchanging, please post what you're bringing at least three days before the gathering.

The organizer will monitor the thread to see what people are bringing. The organizer will also make reservations for the group at the restaurant where we will be gathering.

Hope to see you there!

DINNER
Cathy2
moetchandon
Nr706
Pie Lady
GAF
Sweet Willie
Zaatar x 2

EXCHANGE:
Cathy2 - Sicilian pizza
moetchandon - Braised Brisket with pomegranate juice, chestnuts and turnips
Nr706 - crepe cake, with turkey, cheese, veggies, and whateverthehellelse I decide to throw in at the last minute.
Pie Lady
Sweet Willie - Mafe (west African peanut & chicken stew). A co-worker is from Senegal

I'm in for dinner and exchange.

moetchandon wrote:I'm in for dinner and exchange.

Me too.

Turns out I cannot do Sunday night on the 4th. I will be there for a meal and no exchange, if we go at 1:00. Jennie will not be there.

I will be making Braised Brisket with pomegranate juice, chestnuts and turnips

Hi,

I realized just now this is Super Bowl Sunday. It can be a pretty good time to go to restaurants, because many of the regulars are not there.

I can go at 1 pm or 7 pm. If you feel you are missing the big event, I think we will proceed as long as there more than just one (me!).

Regards,
Cathy2

I’m good with 1:00

Either is fine with me, but I have a slight preference for 1:00

I can only do 7pm (or at least after 3pm) because I have an online thing that morning. But please don't rearrange on my account! If 1pm is the only time that works, I'll live vicariously through your debrief and nr706's pictures.

I will join you: either 1 or 7 (or anytime in between) - just for the meal.

Hi,

Since 7 pm works for most, we will stick with it.

Regards,
CAthy2

Sweet! In that case, put me down for chow and exchange.

Pie Lady wrote:Sweet! In that case, put me down for chow and exchange.

I did before you said this,

I'll be making a crepe cake, with turkey, cheese, veggies, and whateverthehellelse I decide to throw in at the last minute.

I think there is still room, so I'm in for dinner & the exchange.

Sweet Willie wrote:I think there is still room, so I'm in for dinner & the exchange.

Consider yourself part of the family!

Regards,
Cathy2

Hi,

Unless we have a surprise addition, expect to bring four portions each for the exchange.

Regards,
Cathy2

Hi everyone,

Apologies for the late reply. I'm just now seeing the thread. If you still have room for dinner, you can put us down for 2 (no exchange). Otherwise we'll try to catch you next time.

Thanks!

Lindsay

Cathy2 wrote:Unless we have a surprise addition, expect to bring four portions each for the exchange.

6 people in for the exchange, so doesn't that mean 5 portions to bring?

Side note: It looks like I'll be bringing Mafe (west African peanut & chicken stew). A co-worker is from Senegal and shared with me her Mom's recipe. It doesn't have exact measurements so my version may be a bit different

zaatar wrote:Apologies for the late reply. I'm just now seeing the thread. If you still have room for dinner, you can put us down for 2 (no exchange). Otherwise we'll try to catch you next time.

I am calling the restaurant this morning. If the restaurant does not die of shock at the number, I hope to include both of you. I just need to confirm with them.

Sweet Willie wrote:6 people in for the exchange, so doesn't that mean 5 portions to bring?

GAF is dining, but not exchanging. There are presently five for the exchange.

Sweet Willie wrote:Side note: It looks like I'll be bringing Mafe (west African peanut & chicken stew). A co-worker is from Senegal and shared with me her Mom's recipe. It doesn't have exact measurements so my version may be a bit different

Looking forward to this!

Regards,
Cathy2

nr706 wrote:I'll be making a crepe cake, with turkey, cheese, veggies, and whateverthehellelse I decide to throw in at the last minute.

Your stuffed-on-the-outside pork loin was dinner for Mom and I last night. Despite reheating in the microwave, the crust was crisp when we cut into it. Mom and I were quite delighted.

We also dug into the spent grain noodles. Initially gave Mom a small portion, she ate it and got some more. If we did not know those were noodles, it could have been mistaken for seaweed or something else. We liked it.

You are so creative.

Regards,
Cathy2

zaatar wrote:Hi everyone,

Apologies for the late reply. I'm just now seeing the thread. If you still have room for dinner, you can put us down for 2 (no exchange). Otherwise we'll try to catch you next time.

Thanks!

Lindsay

I just made a reservation for all of us.

Look forward to seeing you and yours, Lindsay!

Ugg. We had an issue come up and need to cancel for tonight. I'm so sorry for the last-minute notice. Thanks for understanding and again, sincere apologies.

Lindsay

zaatar wrote:Ugg. We had an issue come up and need to cancel for tonight. I'm so sorry for the last-minute notice. Thanks for understanding and again, sincere apologies.

Lindsay

Stuff happens, but thanks for the warning.

Cathy2

I'm making matar paneer unless I really screw it up. Speaking of which, are we swappin' three?

By the way, totally unrelated (and I may have mentioned this before) but this font is the bees' knees.

Pie Lady wrote:I'm making matar paneer unless I really screw it up. Speaking of which, are we swappin' three?

By the way, totally unrelated (and I may have mentioned this before) but this font is the bees' knees.

There are five for the exchange, so bring four portions.

If you screw it up, bring it anyway. We have all had those days.

Regards,
Cathy

Okie doke. At least I won't poison anybody.

I also may bring dessert. But that's a big maybe.

Oooo I can't wait for this.

Hi,

Today's lunch was moetchandan's Braised Brisket with pomegranate juice, chestnuts and turnips recipe adapted from Michael Solomonov of Zabay in Philadelphia.

This was luscious in taste and a bit like sensory deprivation eating an all-black meal. Mom and I loved it! I already looked around the internet for the recipe influences.

Thank you!

Regards,
Cathy2