nr706 wrote:

Josephine wrote:As for me, I am looking into a keg of something good, since I currently have no kitchen. Anyone interested in helping with the tapping? I am in need of technical assistance. I will bring cups.

I don't do kegs, I do bottles, but I'll try to bring a reasonably good supply for folks.

NR706,

I'd believe bottles are prohibited, right? As stated in C2's initial post:

"Glass beverage containers are not permitted on the Forest Preserve District property."

Bummer.

Hammond

Yes, but I plan on bringing stoneware and plastic bottles, which I don't think are prohibited.

But be forewarned - I will want to take empty stoneware bottles back - they're not that easy to get, and they're easy to refill ...

Ramon wrote:Isn't this the Forest Preserve across the street from the windmill house?...

Yes

Ann Fisher wrote:Okay, okay. This is clearly a "can't miss" event. I'm in for two (though the DH may well decide not to come) and will bring a couple of Baylor melons and a turkey for the fryer. Is there a suggested size on the turkey?

Ann,

I'm assuming you were referring to using my lard/fryer for the turkey. Unfortunately, I don't have enough lard to fry a turkey. Plus with the concern about children's safety and dogs, I have developed that same issue about children being around hot oil and decided not to bring the turkey fryer setup.

HI,

Is it possible Ann's fried turkey morphed into a grilled turkey? How long would that take?

Ramon - your young daughter will find lots of playmates. JoelF has a high school age son ... if my niece attends, then there is a 16 year old, but she is a fat maybe.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

Is it possible Ann's fried turkey morphed into a grilled turkey? How long would that take?

Regards,

Grilled turkey is no problem. Although I would recommend butterflying it to shorten the cooking time. I doubt if it would take more than a couple of hours. If it needs to hurry a few extra coals under it will speed things up.

I was considering wimping out on the turkey anyway, when I remembered that it's usually injected before frying. I grill turkey all the time--usually takes under 2 hours, but let's leave the turkey question open for now, except to say we won't be deep frying one.

Ramon wrote:Could we get an account of kids and ages? Ramonita is 8 and her sister is 18. I'll probably have basic hotdogs and buns for those young 'uns yet to be food adventurists. I think more kids stuff may be needed and we can assist.

thanks, Ramon, this is a good idea. Lucantonius is almost-6. A hot dog* would make him very happy, especially if he is allowed to put ketchup on it. Though he might also be enthusiastic about any of the grilled meats that aren't picante, and jazzchef might want to keep an eye on the mozzarella in his insalata caprese if Lucantonius is anywhere nearby.

Our son has a further restriction, unfortunately -- he has a severe allergy to peanuts and all kinds of tree nuts.

Looking forward to meeting in person more of the LTH-ers (and their kids!),
Amata


* I think SteveZ is also down for hot dogs, isn't that right?

Amata wrote: A hot dog would make him very happy, especially if he is allowed to put ketchup on it.

Who sez he's allowed to put ketchup on it

Amata wrote:* I think SteveZ is also down for hot dogs, isn't that right?

Yes. I'm bringing natural casing 4 - 5/lb Viennas from E&M.

Is it too late to RSVP for 2? I'll bring cookie dough brownies, and I'll edit my message later when my friend decides on what to bring. Thanks!

Bruce wrote:and decided not to bring the turkey fryer setup.

Darn

And I was planning on making corn dogs. Back to plan B.

I would like to come; I could bring a marinated Moroccan lamb dish that would need grilling on Bruce’s grill unless there are too many main courses.

--

Josephine wrote:Ramon,
I hope you will consider bringing your turtle...

A novel idea, but considering the turtles' daily fear of my gustatory inquisitiveness, surrounded by somewhat like minded souls with cooking devices that require trailer hitches, the turtles elect to engage elsewhere.

As an aside to a recurring theme, and in the nature of awarity awareness, I will add that thousands of glass container beverages of every conceivable nature are imbibed in Cook County Forest Preserves every day. Dogs often wander loose. Teenagers kiss in their cars. Other shenanigans run rampant like the dickens. Things generally sort themselves out as they usually do.

-ramon

I will also be coming... I will try and pick up Baylor watermelons this weekend. Hopefully they will still be around! How many should I get?

As an aside to a recurring theme, and in the nature of awarity awareness, I will add that thousands of glass container beverages of every conceivable nature are imbibed in Cook County Forest Preserves every day. Dogs often wander loose. Teenagers kiss in their cars. Other shenanigans run rampant like the dickens. Things generally sort themselves out as they usually do.

Yeah, except we registered and received a picnic permit. Murphy's Law the smuggled glass container will always be the one to break!

Regards,

HI,

Picnic is at 78 people and growing:

Appetizer Antonius Italianate antipasto dish (?)
Appetizer Bruce Lard for frying
Appetizer Cathy2 Raccoon on crackers
Appetizer JoelF Tomatillo salsa +
Beverages Erik M Apple Cider
Beverages Giovanna Drinks
Beverages mhl Soda pop
Beverages Nr706 Home made beer
Beverages Vital Info Infused liquors
Beverages Josephine Keg of something good
Bread JOJO LaBriola and possibly Turano
Dessert Amata Yucatecan coconut pie
Dessert Giovanna Torte (Plum)
Dessert gleam homemade ice cream
Dessert Hammond Cookies
Dessert Leek Brownies
Dessert Messycook Beacon Hill Brownies
Dessert MikeG Leaf lard pie
Dessert Ann Fisher Baylor Watermelons
Dessert Pucca Cookie dough brownies
Entertain mhl baseball bat, kite
Entertain Ramon Pinata with candies
Entertain Ramon Baseball bases
Main Cathy2 Peoria Packing hot links
Main Gwiv Pulled Pork
Main Pigmon North African Hoagie
Main SteveZ Elegance in Meat Hot Dogs
Main Trixie Pea Burgoo
Main Aaron Deacon Burnt ends
Main Ann Fisher Turkey (not definite)
Main Ramon Goi Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Salad)
Main Ramon Hot dogs and buns
Main Sweet Willie marinated Moroccan lamb dish
Salad Giovanna Herb vinagrette from Patricia Wells
Salad jazzchef ensalada caprese
Salad Nr706 Pasta salad
Salad SteveZ Southwest Black Bean Salad
Salad Crazy C Baylor Watermelons
Side dish Bruce Greens
Side dish Bruce Black eyed peas
Side dish gp60004 Pickles
Side dish Launeys Tunisian salad or tabbouleh
Side dish Saint Pizza German Potato salad
Side dish sdritz Baked beans
Supplies Giovanna Plastic cups
Supplies Saint Pizza Bag of Ice
Supplies Saint Pizza 2 Black garbage bags
Supplies SGFoxe 70 Plates, 50 Cups, 16 sets tableware
Tasting Cathy2 Piatak Hot Links (2 lb for tasting)
Tasting Cathy2 Scott Petersen Hot links (1.5 lb for tasting)
Tasting Cathy2 Parker House Hot links (1.5 lb for tasting)
Cynthia
GAF
mhl bologna (for grilling)
M'Th'Su
Rene G
John Chase

Ramon wrote:Could we get an account of kids and ages? Ramonita is 8 and her sister is 18.

Myles is 8 next month and Liam is 5. With those 2 and others already stated, there should be kids galore to play with.

Susan

We interrupt this thread for an LTH-ish joke:

Q. How many LTHFORUM-ers does it take to sample a new dish?
A. One to hold it up and everybody else to photograph it.

And now, back our regularly-scheduled program...

Since we're into the last week before the picnic, I thought I'd post some suggestions for supplies for people to consider choosing, in case they were still unsure about what they might bring for sharing. These are just some ideas based on informally summarizing what I've seen folks already post to-date.

Also, given that we're now looking at a group size of 80 people or more, it might be good to consider augmenting some of the quantities of existing food/drink contributions previously posted by others. For example (besides the bologna and squishy white bread for grilled sandwiches ala Taste of Melrose), I'm bringing drinking water plus a few cases of softdrinks, but that could well be consumed in the first part of the picnic if the day is especially hot. If someone else wants to add a few cases of softdrinks, I think that will help. Similarly, although a number of delicious desserts have been declared, some of them seem likely to be of a rather limited quantity compared to the size of the expected crowd. We can always use a few dozen additional desserts, can't we?

So, from looking at what's been explicitly described as of Sunday, 9/18, it seems we might further round-out the list of shared provender by having:

- Condiments (standard mustard, relish, ketchup, and more exotic);
- Salt for the watermelons;
- Chips (potato, corn, tortilla);
- Cheese/fruit for snacks;
- Other "sides" or snacks such as olives, carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, etc.;
- Plain or flavored popcorn?
- Tea or coffee in a thermos;
- Perhaps some marshmallows/graham crackers/chocolate bars for making s'mores. (How do you think they'd be if we used Vosges Oaxaca chocolate bars?)

Some ideas for non- food & drink supplies:

- A plastic tarp + some rope to wrap Josephine's keg;
- Five or more bags of ice to keep keg cool and to put in drink coolers;
- Extra coolers for holding food and drinks (and ice bags);
- A long knife to cut watermelons;
- Kitchen shears to neatly cut food into sharing-sized pieces;
- Aluminum foil serving trays for staging food to & from the grill;
- Several more large plastic trash bags;
- Paper napkins, additional plastic knife/spoon/fork sets, paper towels, baby wipes;
- Small disposable bowls for, e.g., ice cream or other "drippy" foods;
- Plastic containers/resealable bags for left-overs;
- Beach ball and/or soccer ball to kick around;
- Frisbees (and skeet guns to shoot 'em after we get likkered-up!)
- Bocce set (see above re: bocce balls & skeet guns);
- Bug spray;
- Battery-powered music source(?)
- Stick-on name tags + marker;
- Bail money.

Once you decide to bring something, please remember to post soon, including approximate quantity you'll have, so everyone else is aware and can adjust their plans. Don't forget to bring your camera so we can photograph people photographing people photographing the food...kind of like our version of a conga dance line.

It should be interesting.

--Matt

P.S. Did I neglect to suggest some of those murky jello molds, studded with mysterious opaque inclusions, that wobble forlornly and melt in the sun? You betcha! --mhl

Matt,

That is an excellent list. I was already planning to bring the appropriate condiments to go with my hotdogs...buns, mustard, relish, onions, sport peppers (and ketchup for the kiddies).

P.S. You must be under 10 and have picture ID to use ketchup on your hot dog.

I'm also booked for the final home game of the season at Comiskey next Sunday. (Bought the tix back in Feb. and forgot completely about it until the reminder popped up on my cell phone's calendar.) After missing three major LTH events in a row, I'm just not going to make a single plan at all for December until the LTH holiday party is set...

HI,

Rather than cases of pop, why not the two liter bottles? Cheaper and certainly there will be plenty of cups. I'll try to bring a permanent marker so people can mark their cups.

mhl --- you missed garbage bags, which we will need more than the two pledged.

There are a half dozen people who have not yet committed to their offering to the event, they may want to review the initial invitation, the updated list of food and disposables promised and mhl's list above. Once you have decided, then advise here on the board so there are no duplications.

Name tags are already in the plan. I expect there will be no reason for bail money.

Regards,

Alright, put me down as a "+1."

If things go according to plan, I'm bringing 4-5 gallons of freshly-pressed unfiltered/unpasteurized apple cider from my friend's cider mill in Northwestern Illinois.

E.M.

Due to a crazy weekend, I was unable to get the Baylor melons... I know... I know... Don't hate me...

So I can either pick up watermelons somewhere else? Or wimp out and bring supplies? Any preferences?

C

C,

Scroll up to mhl's comments of *missing* items. Ice, garbage bags and chips might be nice ... look it over and advise what you will bring.

Regards,

i got these:
- Several more large plastic trash bags
- Paper napkins, additional plastic knife/spoon/fork sets, paper towels, baby wipes
- Five or more bags of ice to keep keg cool and to put in drink coolers

+2 1.5L bottles of Yaegaki sake

keg party at the park. this is gonna kick arse.

I'll bring an extra cooler, foil trays, bowls, shears, tortilla chips...

CrazyC wrote:Due to a crazy weekend, I was unable to get the Baylor melons... I know... I know... Don't hate me...

So I can either pick up watermelons somewhere else? Or wimp out and bring supplies? Any preferences?

C

C,

My mom picked up 3 baylor melons on Sunday, and I have an extra, so I think we'll have at least 3 melons at the Picnic.

If you bring supplies, has anyone committed to plates/utensils? Or bowls? edit:nevermind!

Hmm... I really can't think of a better way to spend the quarter-century anniversary of my natal day than at an lth "kegger". So, assuming I wake up after saturday night's party at my own abode (which, as it is alice in wonderland themed, there is a real danger of getting caught on the other side of the looking glass in a chess match with the alarm clock...), count in me, hopefully my boyfriend also (if i can drag him away from cramming for the lsat, but i do have that birthday wildcard to play), and a friend or two if we can talk someone into sleeping at my apt. and driving us there the next day (we're both carless).

Not exactly sure what i'll be bringing- may have to be something I can premake in whole or in components on friday and saturday, as I have work, then a Kendall college bbq for new students, then my party on the schedule for saturday, plus tons of futzy little nibble things to be made for that...
rest assured, we won't show up empty-handed (stomachs, however, guaranteed to be so). Perhaps one of my patented "you put crack in these, I swear" potato salads, probably the yogurt, dill, red onion and preserved lemon one... and hopefully a dessert, tentatively a raspberry-fig or raspberry-frangipane tart, and/or maybe I'll make some extra "bread-and-butterfly" sugar cookies and hide some from my guests the night before. Will try to bring some of our plastic picnic ware, condiments, etc...

What's the metra commute from hyde park like? Is anyone else driving from the south side with extra space in their car not taken up by provisions?

HI,

We look forward to your attendance, though this is really a picnic with lots of people bringing interesting food rather than a kegger-party. We will also have a fair number of children present making this a mixed group.

While someone has offered to bring a keg, others are bringing homemade boutique beer, another some homemade liquors. I hope someone will consider bringing foreign soda pops, which are pretty interesting.

I hope the emphasis is on the shared food and getting know each other, which is the intended purpose of this event.

Regards,