02/20/11 Veg Small Household Exchange

What: Meatless Meals (that means NO poultry, pork, fish or red meat but CAN include dairy and eggs) exchange
There are great omnivore dinner and dessert exchanges that happen monthly. This is for people interested in doing a vegetarian dinner exchange (without meat or 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, legumes, grains, etc. There's a preference for healthy dishes.

When: Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 2pm

Where: Cousin's Incredible Vitality
3038 W. Irving Park Rd.
Chicago, IL 60618
773-478-6868
http://www.cousinsiv.com/

Number in the group: We will cap attendance at each gathering at 8 so that participants are never making more than 8 servings of anything. Couples will be counted as one serving.

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 the pop-up 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. Also, let's give it a whirl & include your user name & the name of your dish on the lid of the container. Sometimes, when we freeze a dish for later we just have no idea what is inside & who to ask for the recipe & we are too embarrassed to ask out loud on the board.

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.

I'd like to propose a set menu (we will order dessert and beverages separately). Is there anything in particular that tickles your fancy that I should request?

Exchange & lunch:
Pie Lady - Cream of Cauliflower and Walnut Soup and 3-Grain Bread
indianbadger - Panjabi Kidney Bean Stew (Rajmah)
ecs - something
jami - Joy the Baker's Ginger and Lentil Soup

Lunch only:
Mr & Mrs lemoneater

I won't be there, Alistair's getting an award from the Wisconsin State Council of Trout Unlimited and the Award Program is that weekend.

Sorry I'm going to miss this. Please take lots of pics.

Please count me in.

I will be bringing another Indian Slow Cooker dish, maybe Biryani.

VCT

Count me in! I too will be bringing something from Anupi Singla's book. I guess we should coordinate, or this could turn into a Top Chef episode.

Congrats to Mr. pairs. The name of that group always makes me think of millions of trout gleefully flying through the air.

We are getting engagement pictures taken that day, so I will bring food to exchange, but will not be attending lunch.

I am not sure what I'll bring--maybe a soup of some kind.

I am sorry i have to beg off!

My Packers have made it to the Big Game and I have other plans!!

Victor

I think that with pairs4life and indianbadger with other plans, jami not being able to attend the meal, and a low sign-up after nearly a week, we should maybe move the lunch to the next weekend? I can do either day as long as it's no later than 2pm. If we need to pick Saturday, I'd prefer 1pm, if that's okay with everybody.

Opinions?

Anything that is decided by the group is fine by me.

GO pack Go

Victor

Whatever the date, Sundays after 1:30pm are best for me.

Unfortunately, the first two weekends in February are out for me - see you in March!

I prefer Saturday the 12th since Sunday the 13th is the dessert exchange.

I could also do the 3rd weekend. Oh no, Pie Lady do you want a Doodle?

Sounds like a good idea! I'll get on that shortly...

All right, I posted a Doodle for the month of February minus this weekend. Please fill in the dates that work best!
http://doodle.com/zd6weivdr78cc26x

Responded to Doodle Complete.

After looking at the Doodle schedule, it looks like Sunday, Feb. 20th works out best for the most people, except, unfortunately, lemoneater. But in case something opens up, I'll make reservations at 2pm. So sorry this didn't work out for everybody.

I'm going sometime next week for lunch (maybe the buffet, if I can get there quick enough) and I'll talk to them about making a menu.

Please contact me if you can come on the new date and whether you're keeping the dish you already specified. I'm starting the sign-up from scratch.

Thanks!

I will bring something I make from the Indian Slow Cooker book. Panjabi Kidney Bean stew (Rajmah).

Looks like I've got a gardening event at 1 pm. If I can make it, I may very well be a bit late.

Maybe this is a sign that we should stick around to order dessert. Has anyone tried them from here? They sure sound good.

Hmm, the desserts aren't the strongest point. Mr. lemoneater and I will try to stop by for lunch, but I won't have time to cook.

count me in for the exchange and lunch. no clue yet what my offering will be.

I can't believe I'm doing this, I'm out.

The Master Gardener event starts at 1 pm on the Near Northside at 1 pm at Delightful Pastries. Plus, when this was originally the 1st weekend in February & I knew we would be out of town, I signed up for the Omnivore's exchange which is on 2-21. Sounds like too much cooking for the kid.

Please posts lots of great pictures & I look forward to seeing y'all soon.

I'll only be able to exchange again, but it sounds good!

I think I am going to bring a Greek-esque version of mac and cheese. Looking forward to next Sunday. Btw, I think my toddler might join us as well for lunch - hope that is okay.

I'm bringing Joy the Baker's Ginger and Lentil soup!

I forgot to mention mine too! It's Cream of Cauliflower and Walnut Soup (with 3-Grain Bread).

ecs wrote:I think I am going to bring a Greek-esque version of mac and cheese. Looking forward to next Sunday. Btw, I think my toddler might join us as well for lunch - hope that is okay.

Sorry, I forgot to answer this too - yes, bring the future LTHer in!

I also must say that I had to use my coupon because it expired before 2/20, so we won't be getting a discount.

You have me on the list for exchange and lunch, but I'll only be able to exchange. See you soon!