Small Household meal exchange - April 10th

No one seemed to be working on this one, so I will -

Details:
Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Time: 7:00 PM

Location Aroy Thai
4654 N Damen Ave

Dinner attendees:
nr706
lazygal09
moetchandon
abernjoan

Exchange participants: (bring 1 servings to share)
nr706 - olive tart with chicken
lazygal09 - chicken and sausage jambalaya


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.

In for the meal and a possibly weird food exchange.

I'm in please - dinner and exchange. -Liz

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

Sharon

For location, I'm thinking GNR Aroy Thai
http://www.aroythaichicago.com/

leek wrote:For location, I'm thinking GNR Aroy Thai
http://www.aroythaichicago.com/

That's cool with me.
I'll be making chicken and sausage jambalaya.

I'm out for April.

If we have selected April 10th, I am unavailable. I am free on the 17th. Count me in or out.

We're at 2/3 April 10th, 1/3 April 17th. I think it's going to be the 10th.

Hello,
Would love to confirm date and place please...is Tuesday 4/10 at Aroy Thai the definite plan?
Thanks, Liz

Yes, sorry, confirmed!
10th April
7pm
Aroy Thai
(reservation is in the name LEE)

I am out for the exchange but still in for dinner. Too many personal issues keeping me from cooking, sorry

Sharon

Count me in for dinner - thanks!

Turns out I have to attend a work meeting after work (boo hiss) and can't attend. I'll keep updating, though!

I would like to attend the April 10 dinner but do not want to take part in the exchange.
abernjoan

Note that I made the reservation for 8 people, so when you get there let them know there will only be 5 or 6.

Made an olive tart with chicken. But only Lazygal will get to taste it.

I have some work to deal with tonight, and unfortunately won't be able to join you for dinner.

Great company, great meal, but small group tonight. We discussed starting the summer hiatus a little early this year, due to lack of interest. Any opinions about that out there?

Hi,

I am much more free in May than I am this month. I suggest concluding in May as usual, then resume in October.

Maybe the next time we are there en masse, discuss the cut off for how few people participating make it worthwhile. Obviously exchanging between two people is not what is desired.

Regards,

I can attend in May too. Was a place chosen yet? If not, I can do this one.

No one has responded. If no one objects by noon tomorrow, I'll post May's exchange.

Not objecting.

Pie Lady wrote:No one has responded. If no one objects by noon tomorrow, I'll post May's exchange.

You have the green light ...

Okie doke. Now I have to narrow down my list of eight.

Are there any parameters I should be aware of, like distance?

Preferably within North America (although I might agree to Noma).

I believe our furthest-north-living regular participant is in Highland Park. Not sure where our furthest-south-living participant is. I'm in Bucktown. I think the usual is to try for a GNR.