Cooking Among Friends Guidelines
| Members will: 1) Prepare 8 meals (4 generous-sized servings per meal) by the given meeting date. Enter meal idea on Google Docs or contact the host at least two weeks before the meeting if unable to participate so a sub can be found. 2) Be at the meeting 15 minutes before the start time so meals can be exchanged before the meeting and the meeting can begin on time. If unable to be at the meeting on time, members will arrange for meals to be brought to the host home before the exchange. 3) Try to spend between $65 - $85 for the 8 meals. Items can be added to enhance the meal (i.e., noodles, bread, rice, etc.) 4) Bring to each meeting: a cooler, 7 prepared and labeled meals (with instructions and recipe enclosed), calendar to schedule future meal exchanges, and possible recipe ideas picked out for the next exchange. 5) Use Ziploc brand freezer quality bags. (Glad bags with the zipper top have caused problems.) 6) Label all meals with the following information: name of dish, your name, date (e.g. February, 2007), recipe, and cooking directions. Labels can be written on the outside of the bag, printed on labels, or inserted in the bag in clear view, and without chance of getting soaked. 7) All bags should be together -- if unable, then label and number all parts (i.e., "CAF February" or "Bag 1 of 2"). Double check that all bags are sealed tight with as little air as possible and flattened. Clean off bags if necessary. 8) No seafood. 9) No members require precautions for food allergies. 10) Use yellow onions rather than white onions, unless specified by recipe, as they keep their color when frozen. 11) All-meat meals should include approx. 2 lbs. of meat. 12) Meals should be assembled but ready to bake (rather than already cooked) to improve quality of the meals and ease of preparation (e.g., chop/mix ingredients, prepare sauces, etc.) 13) Enter meal preparation instructions on the Google Docs page (look for the link in host's email) at least 24 hours before the meal exchange, so the information can be printed and handed out at the meeting. List parts of the meal (e.g., "1 frozen bag, 1 can, 1 fridge dough") 14) Take turns being the meal exchange host. The host expectations are listed below. |
Substitutes will:
1) Follow all of the guidelines listed for members.
2) Member may assign a recipe to the sub for the first month of participation, to guide the sub, avoid repeats, and coordinate with other meals for the month.
The host will:
1) Host and lead the meal exchange for the given month.
2) Have 8 laundry baskets set up outside and labeled with members/subs names on them before the exchange begins.
3) E-mail the group during the time before the exchange with links to Google Docs, confirmation of date, and home address.
4) Coordinate meals made for the month, to make sure there are no duplicates, including a variety (e.g., chicken, beef, pork). Identify any needed subs, with help of members.
5) Edit list of meal preparation instructions on Google Docs. Make 8 paper copies to distribute at the meeting.
Meeting Agenda
1) Exchange meals and extras before meeting begins.
2) Set up dates and hosts for future meal exchanges.
3) Pass out current month’s meal list with instructions. Members add comments if needed.
4) Discuss if subs are needed for the upcoming month(s). Ideally, potential subs are identified ahead of time on Google Docs.
5) Agree on meals for the next month. Each participant will at least decide on the category of meal to be made for next month (e.g, pork, chicken, beef.)
10 comments:
1+ - I was looking forward to these because I love berries and am quite fond of chicken. However, (and surprisingly--could be our weirdo taste buds!)the flavors didn't seem to jive and we thought it needed something more. Maybe be creative and add some more seasoning that would go with berries. Fun to try a new combo though!
And once again, that's why it is good to try a recipe before making it for you all. So sorry! Thanks for the feedback.
2 We enjoyed it but I think it would have been better as a whole chicken vs. the breasts. You should only cook this for more like 45 minutes so they don't get too done. Part of the group is trying new things:)
1: Purple chicken! That was a first. Thanks Heather for the advise on how long to cook. Quality of chicken was excellent, but the flavor isn't something we enjoyed. Maybe we'd prefer a berry smoothie instead...or berry cobbler...with ice cream on top...mmmm.
1.5 - not our favorite, and the purple really turned off the kids. good concept though.
2 - I enjoyed it, but I did only cook it for 45 minutes. I put a lot of the berries on top to add more flavor and moisture while I ate it.
1 -- Bummer. I can see how the recipe looked like a keeper on paper, but there are other Berry Chicken recipes I'd prefer.
2 The purple chicken was a bad deal for our finicky kids, but the rest of us (my in-laws included) dug it. We cooked ours for about 40 minutes and it wasn't crazy dry, but it could have been a bit more "fashionably damp" as we say in our family. (We never, ever say the "m" word when describing the texture of food...)
1 - Bummer . . . bummer . . . bummer!
1 -It was helpful to know to cook it 45 minutes and we were fine with it. We ate it and thought it was fine. I would just change it to the whole chicken if attempting it again in the future. No worries.
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