Small Household Meal Exchange - Monday November 8

Location
San Soo Gab San Korean Bbq
5247 North Western Ave.
Chicago, IL, 60625
(773) 334-1589

Attendees (preference given to exchange participants):
Leek
Mr. Leek
Cathy2
nr706
jygach
moetchandon
boudreaulicious
Wendy
Amanda
Megan

Exchange: (6) (everyone will bring 5 portions to exchange)
Leek - red lentil and squash soup with sausage
Cathy2 - cabbage rolls
nr706 - Boeuf Bourguignon
jygach - Chinese Five Spice Grilled Chicken with Stir-Fried Noodles
moetchandon - Pepper Steak
boudreaulicious - Lechon Asado with black beans and rice


Wait List

Date: Monday, November 8, 2010 at 7 pm

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. 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 thought we picked a place at the last exchange--maybe not--I was in a duck coma. In any case, sign me up. Maybe we can do one of the many GNR asian spots since I think it's been a while since we did one-- Renga Tei, Sushine Cafe, etc. perhaps?

Will likely be trying out some cajun dishes in prep for the event the following week so don't be surprised if there's some red beans and rice in my offering Not committed yet but thinking about it!

HI,

I plan to be there for the exchange and likely dinner, too!

Regards,

I'm in for exchange and dinner. I'll try to make something that tastes good for a change.

Not to make it too confusing, but please put 1 in for dinner and the exchange. Mr. X will be the household representative and might even be the cook! I have a conflict that night.

I'm in for dinner and exchange.

boudreaulicious wrote:Maybe we can do one of the many GNR asian spots since I think it's been a while since we did one-- Renga Tei, Sushine Cafe, etc. perhaps?

FWIW, I believe Sunshine Cafe is closed on Mondays.

I'm in for dinner and exchange. Still undecided about the exchange. Will let you know shortly.

Sharon

Updated with location

San Soo Gab San Korean Bbq
5247 North Western Ave.
Chicago, IL, 60625
(773) 334-1589

Hi,

I am now in for dinner, too.

Regards,

boudreaulicious wrote:I thought we picked a place at the last exchange--maybe not--I was in a duck coma. In any case, sign me up.

Not a big deal but I was never a maybe. Please add me to the list. Thanks.

boudreaulicious wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:I thought we picked a place at the last exchange--maybe not--I was in a duck coma. In any case, sign me up.

Not a big deal but I was never a maybe. Please add me to the list. Thanks.

Sorry, I read your "Not committed yet" to mean you were a maybe. I have corrected the list

I'm thinking about making red lentil and squash soup with sausage.

Also, I am told we will emerge from the restaurant with our clothes smelling strongly of cooking meat - be warned.

I'll be making Boeuf Bourguignon - including packing up one serving before I add the mushrooms.

nr706 wrote:I'll be making Boeuf Bourguignon - including packing up one serving before I add the mushrooms.

Aw, thanks

I will be making pepper steak for the exchange.

Chinese Five Spice Grilled Chicken with Stir-Fried Noodles

If there is still room, I would like to join for dinner. Unfortunately, I will not have time to cook so will skip the exchange this month.

Thanks
Wendy

Hi all - updated list of who's making what.

Wendy, there IS room for just eating dinner

We have reservations for 12. On Sunday I will call them with our final number. But on Monday if we have to make changes (add, delete) I will call again

Hey all - some NU journalism students want to join us and interview us about LTH Forum for a class project. IF it is OK with you guys?

Same gals as last time or different students? They joined us back in May I think for the dinnera at Ras Dashen.

boudreaulicious wrote:Same gals as last time or different students? They joined us back in May I think for the dinnera at Ras Dashen.

I think it will be a new set from the current class.

THe last group left before dinner, you may want to clarify their plans.

Regards,

As an ex-journalist, I have no problem with them joining us.

Hello All,
I'm one of said NU students, my name is Amanda Gajdosik. My classmate, Megan Neunan, and I really appreciate you all letting us in on your event, we're both really looking forward to it. Our questions won't be too difficult or invasive (we hope), our main objective is to just observe you guys interacting with one another (creepy though it may seem ). As of now our plan is to take the L into Chicago at a time that will get us to your event around 7:30 if that is an acceptable time for the group. Thank you all very much for allowing us to attend, it really is going to make the project.

Amanda

Sad to say, but Mr. X will not be joining you for the dinner or exchange.

Next time!

HI,

I bought this large cabbage last weekend on my last farm tour. It's been sitting on the porch instead of the house, because of its size. The large leaves scream stuffed cabbage rolls. Due to this deafening noise, I will commit to cabbage rolls.

Regards,

I'l be bringing Lechon Asado with black beans and rice, and maybe some plantains if I have time. Since it's a smaller group, I figured i could do something a bit nicer (and then I get to have it for dinner )

See everyone on Monday!

Hi all -

In case I am not there first, the reservation is under the name "leek". We should prepare to do our exchange some time in the middle of dinner, because when we are done eating they will want us to pay up and get out