LTH Vegetarian Small Household Exchange Saturday May 22

Date: Saturday, May 22, 2010

Time: 12:30 pm*

Location:
La Libella Ethiopian Restaurant
5633 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660-4115
(773) 944-0585

We'll cap lunch at 10 (preference given to exchange participants)

Brunch:
Veghound
lemoneater
ecs
msoma97
pairs4life


Exchange:
Veghound
lemoneater
ecs
msoma97
pairs4life



Number in the group: We will cap attendance at each gathering at 10 so that participants are never making more than 10 servings of anything. Couples will be counted as one serving.

The food: There are great omnivore dinner and dessert exchanges that happen monthly. This is for people interested in doing a vegetarian dinner exchange (without meat, meat stock etc, but can include eggs and dairy). We make 5-10 servings of one dish, and bring back 5-10 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. The priority will be for entrees, soups, salad, stews, pastas, grains, etc.

There's a preference for healthy dishes, one no-wheat eater, one veg Atkins. If your dish has wheat or carbs, it can be included, but just inform the group in your post.

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). 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.

Approximately two 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 the meal 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 the meal, even if they are not bringing food to exchange.

*Note: Based on lemoneater's very helpful poll, it looks like this will be a good time. I called the restaurant and, despite the times on their website, they open at 12:30. Hope to see you all then!

Count me in!

i'll be there!

I'm there!

I'm in as well.

I'll be there too!

Thanks!

One of these days I'm going to make it to one of these! I'm testing out lots of veggie recipes so I can bring something extra tasty.

Pie Lady wrote:One of these days I'm going to make it to one of these! I'm testing out lots of veggie recipes so I can bring something extra tasty.

Am I the only 1 who tries new recipes (1st time ) for the exchange. It's always one of those I've been meaning to try this type things & then I do it for the exchange.

I think my rationale is, if it sucks, I will have something ready to hand to eat

Welcome jami! And Pie Lady, please come!

veghound wrote:Welcome jami! And Pie Lady, please come!

'Fraid I can't, I'm visiting my peeps for lunch that day. But next month I bet I'll be free!

pairs4life wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:One of these days I'm going to make it to one of these! I'm testing out lots of veggie recipes so I can bring something extra tasty.

Am I the only 1 who tries new recipes (1st time ) for the exchange. It's always one of those I've been meaning to try this type things & then I do it for the exchange.

I think my rationale is, if it sucks, I will have something ready to hand to eat

Pairs-

I usually am trying new things for the non-vegetarian food exchanges too. I appreciate the group being my guinea pigs.

-Mary

oh drat! i just remembered i comitted to a work event earlier so i won't be able to make it. next time!

Hi everyone,

I'm looking forward to this Saturday and will bring roasted poblano soup. Later this week (maybe Wednesday?), I'll confirm the numbers attending so we know how much to make.

See you soon!

Karen

veghound wrote:I'm looking forward to this Saturday and will bring roasted poblano soup.

Maybe this month's theme is Mexican as I am thinking of making a black bean tart with a chili crust. Looking forward to Saturday! I think I am going to be solo for lunch.

Looking forward to it as well. I am going to bring a coconut/sweet potato/ cilantro soup.

ecs wrote:

veghound wrote:I'm looking forward to this Saturday and will bring roasted poblano soup.

Maybe this month's theme is Mexican as I am thinking of making a black bean tart with a chili crust. Looking forward to Saturday! I think I am going to be solo for lunch.

Darn it! I was going to make empanadas. I will see what I can come up with now.

pairs4life wrote:
Darn it! I was going to make empanadas. I will see what I can come up with now.

empanadas sound great to me! i see no reason to change your plan.

Empanadas sound great to me too! I'm always scared they're made with lard, so it would be a treat.

It looks like there will be 5 of us, so we'll each bring 4 servings to exchange. If anyone plans to bring non-participating guests to the brunch, please let me know by tomorrow, so I can make the reservation. (If you decide last minute to bring someone, I doubt it will be an issue--the restaurant is fairly large.)

Looking forward to it!

It's officially a theme - I'm bringing Mama lemoneater's arroz con gandules. Also, count in Mr. lemoneater, in case he's able to make it.

My kitchen smells fantastic, but I maybe late. Somehow or another I missed some substantial rest periods in this recipe.

I'm coming but order without me.

Thanks everyone! I had a lot of fun seeing everyone and the food looks great.

I got home and realized that I forgot to bring little baggies of toasted pine nuts. If you have any they go great with the soup, but it's fine without.

mr. lemoneater and I had the empanadas for a late night dinner. delicious! thanks, pairs4life

lemoneater wrote:mr. lemoneater and I had the empanadas for a late night dinner. delicious! thanks, pairs4life

Thank you. They weren't easy, but I do think that combination is tasty. I can't wait to try the variations w/ soy chorizo & obviously build in the appropriate time to prepare it( say 2 days before I want it ) Normally, I'm not a fan of cumin, but it works here. Really enjoyable result.

Is there no gathering for June?

Hi,

You need to look further down the list. Details are here.

Regards,

Isn't that a different one? I thought there was a Small Household and a regular one. Perhaps they combined forces?

Hi,

I'm a bit dim today.

Small Household Exchange will resume in October.

Vegetarians continue on with an exchange on June 20th.

Regards,

Pie Lady wrote:Isn't that a different one? I thought there was a Small Household and a regular one. Perhaps they combined forces?

We decided we wanted to take advantage of the bounty of the produce. We couldn't think of a better time to continue with the exchange. Ooh, I think I just figured out what I'm going to make

Come on in Pie Lady, the water is fine.