Return of Small Household Food Exchange - Oct 11 2011

This first post will be updated as time gets closer and more info is known

Details:

Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM
Location:

Toons
3857 N Southport Ave
(between Byron & Grace )
http://www.chicagotoons.com

Dinner attendees: (10)
leek +1
nr706
The GP +1
Cathy2
moetchandon
GAF
alliepsp
tarte tatin


Exchange Participants: (8 so far, prepare 7 servings to share)
leek - Fall Flavors Lasagne
nr706 - Chicken Calzone
The GP - Brunswick Stew
Cathy2 - Chili
moetchandon - Venison Stew
GAF - Venison Stroganoff
alliepsp -
boureaulicious - Chicken Thighs with Poblanos and Potatoes

Wait List -


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.

Include me in "list goes here" please. Food TBD.

In for the exchange, +1 for dinner.

HI,

I will be there for the exchange and dinner.

Regards,

yay!!!!!

count me in! Since we're doing a Tuesday, my only request would be a restaurant not too far south! Might I suggest we pick a spot up for GNR renewal since I think the period for comment ends around that time? Options could include: Coalfire, Smoque, Huaraches Dona Chio, Laschet's Inn, La Oaxaquena, Podhalanka...? I have to admit, I've never been to any of them (I've had Smoque numerous times but never eaten there...)

Any thoughts?

HI,

Smoque is not a place to linger or take over another table for our convenience. The line there almost never seems to end.

I don't believe Huaraches Dona Chio is a Great Neighborhood Restaurant. Just in case I might have missed something, I did look for it on the list.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

I don't believe Huaraches Dona Chio is a Great Neighborhood Restaurant. Just in case I might have missed something, I did look for it on the list.

Regards,

It was on the renewal list they sent me for the committee...

Personally, my top 3 (both in terms of what I'd like to try and their suitability for our exchange purposes) would be Laschet's, Podalanka and Coalfire (although don't know if Coalfire would be able to accomodate a group).

Maybe (probably) my memory is failing, but didn't we do Podalanka once? I'll vote for Laschet's

I am actually trying to do Toons, but I haven't heard back if they can accommodate us. They don't normally do reservations, but maybe on a Tuesday, non-football night...

boudreaulicious wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

I don't believe Huaraches Dona Chio is a Great Neighborhood Restaurant. Just in case I might have missed something, I did look for it on the list.

Regards,

It was on the renewal list they sent me for the committee...

Hi,

I apologize, I found it when I went back a second time. Now that my memory has been refired, I have never been there.

Regards,

I think Dona Chio might be a tad small for the purposes of the food exchange gathering. If I remember correctly, 10 to 12 people would pretty much fill up the place.

Toon's would be fun too! And I'm sure they can accomodate us, even without advance notice. I will send Danny a note as well. Good idea!

nr706 wrote:Maybe (probably) my memory is failing, but didn't we do Podalanka once? I'll vote for Laschet's

Laschet's sounds really good as well--seems like they'd have room for us. I go to Toons a lot but wouldn't want to deprive those who haven't been able to so if that's the call, it's still a good one.

Just heard back from Danny at Toons that they'd be happy to have us meet there (Leek, he PM'd you too). My only thought is that maybe we do Laschets' in October, while baseball playoffs are still going on, and do Toons in November when it will likely be quieter there on a Tuesday night...I'm sure they'll take great care of us either way.

Well, there is only one game scheduled that night, #3 of 7 American league playoffs. Not sure how big a draw that will be with Sox out of the picture...

I'm in for dinner and exchange (TBD).

Sharon

Think I can, but need to know the final decision on the place.

Put me down as a tentative yes too, as soon as we figger out the location.

Toons. Because I haven't been yet and they'll hold a table for us.

Thanks--in for both.

I'm a Yes. Right now for both dinner and exchange.

I will come for the exchange, but I dont know what I'll bring yet.
Allie

I am hoping to make this one. Food TBD.

And we are full. A little over, even.

We are looking forward to hosting you at Toons! Thanks for thinking of us.

Danny

Husband just informed me that my birthday present is tickets to Brian Ferry on Oct. 11, 2011.
Therefore, I am unable to participate in the exchange or come for dinner.
I'm disappointed, but it could be worse I suppose!

HI,

I plan to make chili. I finally made one that was better than expected. I am going to borrow ideas from a chili thread, such as soaking and cooking the beans in beer.

One questions: should I bring this chili with served over macaroni or as-is? Of course there will be chopped onions and grated cheddar cheese on top. I don't think sour cream dollop would freeze or defrost well.

Regards,

I am not going to be able to make it--can't miss the opportunity to meet Ruhlman at Butcher & Larder...see you in November!!

I won't be able to make it either. I hope to try again soon. Sorry guys!