Small Household Food Exchange, 3/10/15 7pm @ U Gazdy

We decided to make ourselves stretch to a new location, because that's just what we do.

I have visited this place twice and came away very impressed. As much as I like Smak-Tak, this place is even better. I can have two loves, right? I want everyone to meet my new love:

U Gazdy
270 W Irving Park Road
Wood Dale, IL
http://www.u-gazdy.com/

Dinner attendees
nr706
moetchandon
Pie Lady
Cathy2

Exchange participants (bring three servings)
moetchandon
nr706
Pie Lady
Cathy2

(They close at 9 pm, so I kept to 7 pm knowing we may be on time or a little late)


The fine print
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 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; 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 don't want 6-7 dessert offerings as everyone is mostly interested in main meals (check out the fabulous monthly LTH dessert exchange!)

There will be no restrictions on the food – we’re an omnivorous bunch. IF ANYONE HAS ANY ALLERGIES, PLEASE LET THE GROUP KNOW.

The containers/delivery system: Everyone in the group should use the GLADWARE 3 1/8 CUP PLASTIC CONTAINERS (7” x 7” square container 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.

Hope to see you there!

I can make it to U Gazdy, barring another big snowstorm. I plan to tell you by Monday morning, in that case.

Woo hoo, Polish!

Pie Lady wrote:I can make it to U Gazdy, barring another big snowstorm. I plan to tell you by Monday morning, in that case.

Woo hoo, Polish!

Hi,

If weather makes this destination pain, I am willing to make a last minute decision to go elsewhere.

Regards,

Moetchandon & I are up for it, and we can drive one or two others out there if that would help.

Hi,

A reminder to anyone else who wishes to join, it is in one week.

Regards,

Hi,

I am inclined to make Sophia Loren's mushroom pasta. I learned to make it watching Sophia Loren on the Phil Donahue Show in the early 1970's.

Regards,

I'll be making savory éclairs stuffed with seafood mousseline.

I made cheese ravioli with pesto sauce

I'm making European Chickpea Soup with homemade onion rye. No dessert this time.

nr706 wrote:I'll be making savory éclairs stuffed with seafood mousseline.

Tom,

You missed your calling.

Regards,

No, I've still got some good beers brewing.

Reservations under Cathy for four.

Regards,

I really need to check the boards more often. This wasn't too far, could have met for dinner.

Ms. Ingie wrote:I really need to check the boards more often. This wasn't too far, could have met for dinner.

Hi,

We really had a great dinner and would have welcomed a bit more ordering power.

Next month will be something special: a taxi driver joint Pie Lady is wishing to visit.

Regards,

Pie Lady has posted.

Last night's meal was fantastic! I might head out there again just for the potato pancakes. And the Attorney's Delight.