Small Household Food Exchange, 4/14/15 7pm @ Tabaq

A coworker has been raving about this place for months. Let's go slumming!

Tabaq
1245 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 944-1245
http://www.chicagocabfare.com/2012/03/1 ... orth-side/

Dinner attendees
Pie Lady
nr706
Cathy2
moetchandon

Exchange participants - bring 3 servings
Pie Lady - Meat & Veggie Casserole
nr706 - soup!
Cathy2 - Biryani
moetchandon - surprise!


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!

Yes

Hi,

Yes. I am thinking of trying something I like and never made myself: Biryani.

Subject to change, though it is on my wish list.

Regards,

Stealing Cathy's disclaimer, I think I'll make Meat & Veggie Casserole with lamb.

I'm in for dinner and exchange.

For some unknown reason, I'm feeling conservative lately. Nothing especially adventurous or weird this time, just Corn, Crab, and Chipotle Chowder.

Oops. Already made that last year. I'll come up with a significant variation for 4/14. It'll still be a corn crab and chipotle chowder, except it won't use any corn, crab or chipotle. It might still have a little chowder in it. I dunno.

Looks like another wee group. I called for a table but if I'm not mistaken, they laughed at me. I told them there would be four of us at 7pm. I think on a Tuesday we should be fine, but if there are qualms let me know.

Otherwise I'll see youse tomorrow. Bring 3 servings...

It's not a wee group. It's a really exclusive group.

With much regret I cannot make dinner as I'm not feeling well. I've been fighting a bug for a few days and can't seem shake it. Tom will bring my exchange.

I made Dark and Spicy Mole with roasted chicken. Rick Bayless' recipe from Authentic Mexican. Sorry I can't make it as I was looking forward to it.

Sharon

Phooey. I hope you feel better.

And then there were three.

Hi,

I did a last minute switch due to practical considerations:

1. I never got around to buying any goat. If I am making Biryani, it really should be goat. I do have my standards!
2. I have three ham bones occupying precious refrigerator and freezer space. In the pot with a bit of vegetables for a split pea soup. At the very least, it will be generous with the ham.

See you all very soon!

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:If I am making Biryani, it really should be goat. I do have my standards!

Somebody please make this a banner quote.

Dudes.

Do youse guys want to do Tabaq next month? The second Tuesday is 5/12.

Pie Lady wrote:Do youse guys want to do Tabaq next month? The second Tuesday is 5/12.

Works for me!

Thanks for your flexibility last night as our friends took to their beds with illness. It was great to eat at Udupi Palace after a long time.

Regards,

You betcha! I had a great time. I hope our other two Exchangers are doing better today!

I'm assuming I'll have gotten rid of moetchandon's germs by then, so that sounds good.

I'll post on that. Thanks guys!