Small Household Food Exchange Tue 2/5 @ 7p @ Mixteco

Maybe we can make it work this time.

Details:
Date: February 5, 2013

Time: 7:00 PM

Location :
GNR
Mixteco Grill
1601 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
773-868-1601

Dinner attendees:
nr706
Cathy2
Food Nut
Pie Lady
GAF
Moetchandon
prairieclover

Exchange participants: (bring five servings to exchange)
nr706 - Waterzooï
Cathy2 - Binko's Chicken Paprikash with spaetzle
Pie Lady - Moroccan Chicken with Eggplant and Tomaters
GAF - Jambalaya
prairieclover - Chicken Mole
Food Nut - artichoke stuffed shells with lemon ricotta sauce

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.

HI,

I will make chicken noodles over mashed potatoes with a side of green beans.

Regards,

I'm in for dinner and exchange.

Sharon

Please put me and the DH down for one exchange, two for dinner.

Sorry, we are not going to be able to do this after all

Sorry, I will have to drop out of the exchange and dinner.

nr706,

While I do thoroughly enjoy your company, it appears we don't have quite enough people to bother with an exchange. What do you think?

Regards,

Things have not calmed down enough at work for me to commit this fall. Sorry!

It's the distance and the date this time around for me.
Sharon

Will attend and share not sure what will post later.

Maybe we should postpone to December, when others' schedules might work better. Or should we wait for the New Year?

December is usually bad, I prefer November but if too few people are showing up then lets move it to January.

Do we have a consensus for January? Maybe another venue?

January is fine with me.

Given the lack of interest for November, and the generally busy holiday season, we've rescheduled for Jan 8 2013 at GNR Mixteco Grill. Check the original post in this thread for more details.

Bump!

I'll be making waterzooi au poulet, because it should reheat well, but mostly because I like saying waterzooi.

Who else is in?

My schedule is still not conducive to doing the exchange. Bummer!

I, too, am a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I love the exchange, but this Tues. just isn't going to work for me.

Should we make it February instead?

Pie Lady wrote:Should we make it February instead?

Probably a good idea. How do other regulars feel about sticking with the second Tuesday of the month (i.e. 2/12)?

I'm down with that.

Hi,

Everyone in my household, except the cat and visiting dog, is sick. I am reluctant to offer anything from here.

Why don't we set up a doodle to figure out when most of likely attendees can make it, then go with it.

Sorry I didn't respond earlier, I just wasn't sure about myself.

Regards,

Unless it's especially bad for someone, why don't we stick with the 2nd Tuesday of the month?

I'm not going to be able to make the second tuesday in Feb. How bout the Tues before?? If not, please go with the second TUES.
Sharon

Unfortunately I am in the same position as Sharon. I have an engagement the second Tuesday, but the first Tuesday of February is fine for me. But of course do what is necessary.

So, how about Tuesday Feb 5? Any objections from the regulars?

nr706 wrote:So, how about Tuesday Feb 5? Any objections from the regulars?

Works for me.

Hi,

I plan to make Hungarian mushroom soup.

Regards,

I'm in.

I dunno what I'm making yet. Probably a vegetarian something with bread.