Small Household Food Exchange, 4/23 @ Isla Pilipina

Details:
Date: April 23, 2013

Time: 7:00 PM

Location:
Isla Pilipina
2501 W. Lawrence Ave. Chicago, 60625
(773) 271-2988

Dinner attendees:
Pie Lady
nr706
Cathy2
lazygal09
moetchandon
tarte tatin
Food Nut
justjoan
mrsm
prairieclover

Exchange participants:
Pie Lady - Cream of Mushroom Soup with Rosemary Focaccia
nr706 - Stuffed Squid with Hoisin, perhaps?
Cathy2 - Chili
lazygal09 - White Chicken Chili
Food Nut - Florentine meatballs with red sauce
justjoan - Mushroom Asparagus Bread Pudding?
prairieclover - Thai Red Curry & Rice

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.

The food: The 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 we made for a whole week (I do it so I don't have to have a sandwich for lunch every day!). Instead, we make 6-10 servings of one dish, and bring back 6-10 different dishes. Participants bring one pre-portioned serving of their food for everyone who has RSVP’d to come that month. A serving is whatever you think it is for your food item. For soup, it may be two cups say; for pastrami, 4 oz. (or more if you make more generous sandwiches). The priority will be for entrees, meats, soups, salad, stews, pastas, grains, etc. One dessert is OK each month, we just didn’t want 6-7 dessert offerings as everyone was mostly interested in main meals (and there is a fabulous LTH dessert exchange the first Monday of each month). There will be no restrictions on the food – we’re an omnivorous bunch. WE DO HAVE ONE MUSHROOM ALLERGY IN THE GROUP SO IF YOU MAKE SOMETHING WITH MUSHROOMS, PLEASE INFORM THE GROUP WHEN YOU POST WHAT YOU ARE BRINGING. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS ANY ALLERGIES, PLEASE LET US KNOW. Again, that doesn’t mean that the ingredient is off limits, it just means to let everyone know if you are using it that month. We decided we don’t want to start running any list of off-limit foods or ingredients.

The containers/delivery system: Everyone in the group should use the Gladware 3-1/8 cup plastic containers (it’s the approximately 7” x 7” square, 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. There is no need to fill the container, just put in whatever is a serving to you. 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 doesn’t have to run out and buy more.

The process: Each of us will take turns being the organizer each month. Each time we meet, someone will offer to organize the next month’s gathering.
Several weeks before the next gathering, the organizer will post a new thread to the events page announcing the date and the location for that month and asking for RSVP’s.
Participants will need to RSVP their attendance by one week before the monthly gathering. They will then need to post what they are bringing by three days before the gathering. This is to help make sure we get some balance in the food so that we’re not all bringing something that has to be eaten in the next 2-3 days; that there’s a balance of stuff that can be frozen for later, or eaten sooner.
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. People can choose to stay for dinner or just come and exchange food and leave. Just let the organizer know so they can get an accurate count for the reservation. Other LTHers are welcome to join us for dinner, even if they are not bringing food to exchange.

We’re all pretty relaxed and flexible with the exchange as there will likely be some bumps here and there and questions we will continue to come up. Remember that the core purpose of the exchange is for a group of LTHers to exchange good food they’ve made with minimal hassle and restrictions.

I'm in. How about a BYO joint?

Sorry to do this, GAF—I was thinking of making this the 2nd so you could come, but there are five Tuesdays in April, so if we did the 2nd, there would be 5+ weeks til the next one. I hope you have fun on your trip and please tell us all about it next time we see you.

As for the location, I mentioned yesterday that I never had good Filippino. I ate at Pampanga's on Caldwell once and it was not a good time. Other than La Isla Pilipina, I can't think of any in the city. Cathy2 gave a favorable review to Cid's Ma Mon Luk in Niles, but it closes at 9. I'd love suggestions.

As for BYO, I'll do my best to find the best of both worlds.

Hi,

Cid Ma Mon Luk has changed hands and not as good as it once was. I have pictures of certain dishes before and after it changed hands, it is clearly different.

China Chef in Morton Grove is owned by Filipinos with quite a bit of Filipino food on their menu.

Little Quiapo is a Filipino buffet restaurant. I believe they serve alcohol, though the bill would be easy to figure out. It's not a perfect Filipino experience, though you will have a lot to pick and choose from.

I have never been to Ruby's Fast Food, though it was recommended.

Isla Pilipina is recommended by a number of Filipinos. It is fairly small. If Tuesday is not too busy, you can make it work.

Isla Pilipina
2501 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago
(773) 271-2988

Little Quiapo
6259 N McCormick Blvd
Chicago
(773) 279-8861

Ruby's Fast Food
3740 W Montrose Ave
Chicago
(773) 539-2669

Not that it's up for a vote (the organizer is the benevolent despot), but I'll vote for Isla Pilipina.

nr706 wrote:Not that it's up for a vote (the organizer is the benevolent despot), but I'll vote for Isla Pilipina.

This is an election day. I will not be available. Sorry!

i'd like to try this- i haven't really been paying attention to this exchange, but now i'm interested. i like isla pilipina a lot- but they close at 9pm, according to their website. is that a problem if the dinner starts at 7? joan

I'm in. Should we change to the following Tues. if Cathy2 can make that date? Joan, terrific, we LOVE new blood! I'm in, but, selfishly would prefer more centrally located establishments as opposed to super far north ones due to my location. The company is so great, though, I'd probably go anywhere! Isla Pilipina works for me, and, I don't think a 9pm closing time is problematic.

justjoan wrote:i'd like to try this- i haven't really been paying attention to this exchange, but now i'm interested. i like isla pilipina a lot- but they close at 9pm, according to their website. is that a problem if the dinner starts at 7? joan

It probably shouldn't be an issue. We left last night's venue just after 9:00 pm.

I could make the following Tuesday, but if everyone else can make the 9th - so let it be.

I can do either Tuesday, the 9th or the 16th.

I'm easy re: date.

Since Cathy and GAF are both out, can we do 4/23 instead? There would still be four weeks before the next exchange.

Pie Lady wrote:Since Cathy and GAF are both out, can we do 4/23 instead? There would still be four weeks before the next exchange.

sounds fine to me. joan

I got the impression GAF was ONLY available the first weekend in April? Or, I could be wrong.

Food Nut is correct (sort of). I arrive back in Chicago from Shanghai at 4:35 p.m. on April 23rd. And while I am tempted to bring food that was frozen for three weeks, I am convinced that even if I wanted to do something so mischievous, my body would not permit it. Choose the date that works for you. I will try to join you next time.

Since there seem to be no objections to the 23rd and Gary will be out either way, let's keep it the 23rd to reduce confusion.
At Isla Pilipina.

Done! Who's comin'?

Hi,

I will attend.

At present, I plan to contribute pulled pork I will smoke myself. It's been a while since I made any.

Regards,

I'm thinking about making stuffed squid with hoisin.

After all our talk of comparing recipes, I might make cream of mushroom soup. And I'll throw in some form of homemade bread, perhaps of the biscuity persuasion.

I'm in - dinner and exchange please.

I'm in for dinner but no exchange, if that's okay with the group.

Sharon

Of course it's fine!!! I'll be there for both. Don't forget to add justjoan!

If I can keep my work schedule clear, I'd like to join you for dinner only, if there's room....

tarte tatin wrote:If I can keep my work schedule clear, I'd like to join you for dinner only, if there's room....

moetchandon wrote:I'm in for dinner but no exchange, if that's okay with the group.

Sure, glad to have you!

Food Nut wrote:Of course it's fine!!! I'll be there for both. Don't forget to add justjoan!

Indeedy, Joan...are you coming for both exchange and dinner?

yes, put me down for both. sorry i didn't respond earlier-busy week. now i'll start fretting about what to bring.....

nr706 wrote:Not that it's up for a vote (the organizer is the benevolent despot), but I'll vote for Isla Pilipina.

I assume you know, but just in case, Isla is BYO.

I probably won't bring wine, but what would be a good pairing?

I'm making white chicken chili, and I'll bring a red blend.

I'll bring several homebrews which should pair well.

I'm in for dinner only, no exchange.