Count me in- I've stopped eating this week in preparation. No peanut butter and jelly 3 ways this year, but a sort of a refreshing appetizer. It'll be watermelon with hot peppers, or as I like to call it, the Spicy Gallagher. I'm +2.

My original intent was to use farro, but I already was using it and didn't want to double it up on the menu. Now that there's no menu to compete with, will give it a shot.

Instead of "focaccia with fennel agrodolce and lardo" my focaccia should probably be labeled "focaccia with fennel agrodolce and cured pig," or something like that. My lardo source is unsure whether he'll have enough this weekend, so I may swap it for guanciale. I'm also planning to make schiacciata con l'uva, a Tuscan flatbread with grapes. This may also be called an appetizer even though it teeters toward dessertiness.

my dessert is going to be quadrados de l'oranja- portuguese orange squares. i made them for the second picnic and people really enjoyed them. they are homely, but delicious. justjoan

Going to have to go with Plan B
Pickled Cauliflower
and
Dulce de Leche Brownies

Happy to help with any set up or clean up needs.

Jyoti

Count is now at 202. The spreadsheet has been updated. Looks to be a grand day!

-Mary

I have decided on what style of chicken wings I am bringing: Smoked - Korean style chicken wings.

I also may have a surprise wild card item.

also I would be available to help set up since we will be arriving around 9:30 a.m.

Hi,

We have tableclothes cover for the 15 tables from the forest preserves. We also seem to have plastic cups covered, too.

People who PM'd updates, I have not yet updated the spreadsheet with those ideas over the last 18 hours. I hope to update later this morning.

People who are coming with friends and family, let me know names for nametags. You can reply on this thread or PM The GP, MHays or I.

The excitement is building!

Regards,

Kennyz wrote: I'm also planning to make schiacciata con l'uva, a Tuscan flatbread with grapes. This may also be called an appetizer even though it teeters toward dessertiness.

I just realized I didn't have milk in the house (just the fat-free stuff my MIL uses--blech! & we aren't big milk consumers) for this grape focaccia.

pairs4life wrote:

Kennyz wrote: I'm also planning to make schiacciata con l'uva, a Tuscan flatbread with grapes. This may also be called an appetizer even though it teeters toward dessertiness.

I just realized I didn't have milk in the house (just the fat-free stuff my MIL uses--blech! & we aren't big milk consumers) for this grape focaccia.

I wouldn't let that stop you. I'd never even heard of using milk in focaccia or schiacciata prior to seeing that recipe. I'm not planning to use any in Sunday's version.

Kennyz wrote:

pairs4life wrote:

Kennyz wrote: I'm also planning to make schiacciata con l'uva, a Tuscan flatbread with grapes. This may also be called an appetizer even though it teeters toward dessertiness.

I just realized I didn't have milk in the house (just the fat-free stuff my MIL uses--blech! & we aren't big milk consumers) for this grape focaccia.

I wouldn't let that stop you. I'd never even heard of using milk in focaccia or schiacciata prior to seeing that recipe. I'm not planning to use any in Sunday's version.

Thanks.

Cathy's interview about the picnic just ran again on Channel 5. I wonder if we're going to get a bunch of new people signing on at the last minute wanting to come to the picnic.

stevez wrote:Cathy's interview about the picnic just ran again on Channel 5. I wonder if we're going to get a bunch of new people signing on at the last minute wanting to come to the picnic.

Did they rework it or was it the same from a few months ago ...

Regards,

Love the idea of LTH and the picnic sounds extraordinary....definitely coming, possible guest with me, set up/clean up will help where able....how exciting!! If time, might bake cookies,will put together a salsa/chip/veggie tray....

Ok, I have settled on a sweet corn, sage, and cheddar cheese clafoutis warm from the oven. Count it as an app, as I will cut it into squares for passing.

Also, I'm going to have to leave by 6 now and will not be around very long, so I don't think I can be counted on fully for dedicated clean up duty. I do pledge to eat and clean all I can for whatever time I'm around, though.

I'm in.

And rest easy... I've got the Jug o' Beano covered.

PIGMON wrote:I'm in.

And rest easy... I've got the Jug o' Beano covered.

There go my plans for the musical entertainment portion of the picnic.

Cathy2 wrote:

stevez wrote:Cathy's interview about the picnic just ran again on Channel 5. I wonder if we're going to get a bunch of new people signing on at the last minute wanting to come to the picnic.

Did they rework it or was it the same from a few months ago ...

Regards,

Pretty much the same as far as I can tell. Strangely sandwiched between the stories of different ad hoc restaurants, bugt you presented well.

This weekend is too full for us to try to create a dish for the picnic. We will bring cheese sticks from The House of Cakes.

rubyred asked if I could change her contribution from peach sangria to a cheese & salami plate. She couldn't find what she wanted for the sangria.

The GP wrote:This weekend is too full for us to try to create a dish for the picnic. We will bring cheese sticks from The House of Cakes.

Yum! Something I want to try without having to travel for it!

mbh - consider the changes done.

If everyone helps clean up during the day, like picking up dishes and keep the garbage moving. We will be in fine shape at the end of the day.

Regards,

Kennyz wrote:

PIGMON wrote:I'm in.

And rest easy... I've got the Jug o' Beano covered.

There go my plans for the musical entertainment portion of the picnic.

Ummm.....I'm starting to rethink my plans

We will be attending (2 adults/2 kids)
Still not sure what we will be bringing...but, can't wait to be there...

I forgot to give you names--

Nancy Zwick
Joel Straus
Isabel Straus
Nathan Straus

I will make spicy North African Beef Ribs (I WILL NEED TO GRILL THEM ON SOMEONE"S GRILL.....?) They are Korean style cut ribs that are pounded flat and only stay on the grill for a few minutes....

Argh - someone give me some ideas of what YOU want, I'm completely stumped and uninspired

BK pork tenderloins

Seriously, you know what I brought several years ago that would be awesome: peach ice cream from former GNR Cunis Candies. It's the anti-Mario's Peach, great and unsung (at least lately). All you have to do is drive down to the far side of the freakin' moon to get it.

leek wrote:Argh - someone give me some ideas of what YOU want, I'm completely stumped and uninspired

A nice Cream of Leek soup. I Love soup!

(That is what I always think of when I see your username)

I have a request, if anyone wants to bring along some chili oil (Gwiv, I'm thinking about your awesome chili oil ) to go with our chinese dishes, that would be awesome. If not, i'll gladly make or buy some but I seem to have every second accounted for up to the picnic! Can't wait!

laikom wrote:I have a request, if anyone wants to bring along some chili oil (Gwiv, I'm thinking about your awesome chili oil ) to go with our chinese dishes, that would be awesome. If not, i'll gladly make or buy some but I seem to have every second accounted for up to the picnic! Can't wait!

I just made a batch of nam prik pao (Thai chili jam). I am planning to use some in a Thai salad and I will bring extra. It's pretty potent, though (not just spicy but fish sauce/dried shrimp-funky) so it's not as 'all purpose' as Gary's (or other, far-inferior types of) chili oil.

We have changed what we are bringing to two cocktail-inspired sorbets: a Juliet & Romeo sorbet and a Negroni sorbet.