dr.com 2010 Fall Picnic: Sunday, October 17

[leleboo]

Hey all,

Yes, it's that time again ... time to start thinking about the fall picnic! It turns out that our usual site (Fort Hunt Park, C-002) is already booked for several dates in September and October, so between the dates it's available and trying not to get in the way of holidays and other dr.com events, these four dates appear to be our options. A few notes:

1. September 12th is during the High Holy Days, but doesn't directly conflict with Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.
   
2. October 10th is the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend.
   
3. As always, we're focusing on Sundays to allow our members in the industry a better chance of attending, but we could add Saturday, October 30th, as an outlier if necessary.
   

Vote away!

[Soup]

sitting in this heat and humidity that is DC in august (however aircondition my office may be), it is a very pleasent diversion thinking about sitting outside on a sunny cool autumn day looking at the fall colors as well as all the food that will surely be brought to this event.

[leleboo]

For our new members -- check out some information on picnics past and go ahead and vote in the poll. We'd love to see everybody out at the park in (what is almost certainly going to be) October.

[leleboo]

Hey all -- wonderful weather we're having, eh? Almost picnic-worthy!

Please log your votes by noon on Tuesday, August 17th (that's this Tuesday, for those of you keeping track) so we can finalize the date on the calendar.

[leleboo]

Sunday, October 17th, 2010. Noon to 6 p.m.

Fort Hunt Park

, Alexandria, VA. Site C-002

.

Ladies and gentlemen,

start your ovens!

Keep your eye on this space for more information, attendance, who's-bringing-what, et cetera.

New members: PLEASE COME TO THE PICNIC! To say "all are welcome" would be gross understatement; the picnic is a great way to meet fellow dr.commers.

If you have any doubts about its awesomeness, check out 1000yregg's photos from the spring shindig.

[durwoodx]

I am in - wife is unfortunately on tour.

[ktmoomau]

In with Hubby and after people saw last events pictures may have a few more! But now I am really going to have to think about what I want to bring...

[Kibbee Nayee]

I am in with a possible gaggle of +6....

Should I leave the bacon-flavored jelly beans home this time?

[TheMatt]

As far as my schedule knows, I'm in. +0...sigh.

[astrid]

I'm in, at least +1 and possibly several more. Looking forward to meeting you folks!

[chaofun]

Jenna and I are in. Dishes TBD.

[goodeats]

Jenna and I are in. Dishes TBD.

Pssst. Pork or bacon or chocolate (and combinations thereof) will be gladly accepted and devoured in a less than timeable manner. The chaofun-smoked ribs are quickly catching up to the Chef "Antonio Burrell's crack fried chicken" status.

[lperry]

In, probably +1.

[Scott Johnston]

In +2 (Yes Katie is coming and hopes to see the other DR.com kids there as well!)

What to bring... Deviled Eggs, First Aid Kit, Wine, Chairs, and a mystery dish

[hmclain]

Count me in! What should a foodie and wine-know who doesn't cook bring?

[leleboo]

What should a foodie and wine-know who doesn't cook bring?

Who said you had to cook? Bring your favorite pastries (or wine and beer), or pick up some great cheeses and baguettes (or wine and beer), or, heck, even some bags of potato chips and dip (or wine and beer).

Do you sense a theme?

Also keep in mind the following items you might have on hand to contribute:

• A deep-fryer and portable grills sure do come in handy.
  
• Coolers and ice are useful, as is lots of bottled water and even juices and sodas for the kids and those who don't drink.
  
• Folding chairs are always a good idea. There are picnic tables set up under the pavillion, but chairs are nice if you want to eat under the trees.
  
• I have some supplies left from the last picnic that I will bring, although more plates/napkins/utensils are always welcome.
  
• We will have a basic first aid kit; extra sunscreen, insect repellant, band-aids, antibacterial hand gel, and aspirin can be nice to have around.
  
• Cameras are fine too - just no face shots on the internet without permission (see thread on Cameras for Food Porn if you like ) .
  

I can't wait to see everyone there. Slainte!

[ktmoomau]

We have a small portable weber grill, if someone would like to use it please PM me and I will bring it. I don't have any charcoal so you would have to bring your preferred.

At this point I know I will be bringing a dessert, either a flourless chocolate cake, or I am going to see if I can adapt a family pie (well really it is more like a cobbler, but they call it family pie) recipe to be gluten free and there is the possibility that if Hello Cupcake gluten free cupcakes are really good I might just go for that instead.

I might also bring something else, and will bring some wine.

I am crossing my fingers that the lovely people at Dolcezza come again, and Mr. Burrell too!

[Xochitl10]

I'm in, probably with Azami and possibly two others. I'm bringing daigaku imo (Japanese candied sweet potatoes) and either red chile enchiladas or a Boston cream pie.

[thistle]

Yay! Picnic time-we'll bring the 3 burner camp stove, grill box, & I'll bring the the griddle (even if it weighs 50 lbs.), canopy (in case of rain), asstd. side tables & chairs, & maybe another camp stove (because I'm obsessed w/ cooking outdoors)-for food-I'm worried that NC pulled pork bbq has been repeated too many times, but it's a classic, that can slide in w/ many other dishes...we all LOVE the picnic & look forward to it....

[Heather]

I am still trying to work out whether I can make it. If I can, I'll bring baked beans.

[mdt]

Still coordinating my schedule but if I attend I will bring a selection of terrines.

[DanielK]

Still coordinating my schedule but if I attend I will bring a selection of terrines.

Spiced ham, perhaps?

[mdt]

Spiced ham, perhaps?

Shhhh, there are a good deal of folks that have no idea.

[Heather]

Any interest in a cookbook swap? I have about 50 that need new homes.

[leleboo]

Hrm, my event planning brain is thinking we should have a "pitcher vs. aerator" tasting. Pit the exact same bottle against itself, one from a pitcher decant, the other from an aerator, with voting to determine a winner by type of wine.

Might be a fun and easy thing to do at the picnic. Stay tuned...

Any interest in a cookbook swap? I have about 50 that need new homes.

Can't. Wait.

[durwoodx]

You mean I can finally dump all those Emeril books my parents have been giving me every damned Christmas on somebody else?

[KMango]

You mean I can finally dump all those Emeril books my parents have been giving me every damned Christmas on somebody else?

In a similar circumstance myself, perhaps this year we can have a 30-minute book burning.

(kmango will be there)

(+1)

(at least)

[ktmoomau]

Any interest in a cookbook swap? I have about 50 that need new homes.

Also interested. I will be bringing a few real gems

[TheMatt]

In a similar circumstance myself, perhaps this year we can have a 30-minute book burning.

Fuel for the next pig roast?

[Ilaine]

We now have a cute little (22.5") Weber Performer grill, the one that uses charcoal but you light the charcoal with propane. ( "Little" compared to the offset Texas smoker, which could be brought in the pickup truck, if needed.) If you want us to bring either one, let me know and we'll scrape ourselves out of bed and get there early, for a change.

No idea what we're bringing but there will be at least 3 of us. My guess is that I am going to go for a prep-ahead tail-gating dish. For some reason jambalaya comes to mind.

[Choirgirl21]

I am planning on attending. Have no idea yet what I will bring.

I don't have any cookbooks I want to give away, but I will happily take some off of your hands.

[Choirgirl21]

I don't have any cookbooks I want to give away, but I will happily take some off of your hands.

I was pondering how it's possible that I love all of my cookbooks when I remembered there's an entire box of them packed away in my spare bedroom/office. :lol So I will have some for the exchange after all. The one I think you will all be clamoring over is the spiral bound cookbook, "Microwave Know-How".

[leleboo]

COOKBOOK SWAP!!

So far, October 17th is shaping up nicely.

astrid +1

chaofun + jchao

choirgirl21

durwoodx (beer, deep fryer)

For Love of Wine (wine)

Heather (baked beans; cookbooks)

Ilaine +2 (small stove; jambalaya)

kay quirk (wine)

Kibbee Nayee +6

KMango +1 (wine tasting)

ktmoomau +1(small grill; dessert; wine)

leleboo (picnic infrastructure)

lperry +1

mdt (maybe?)

Scott Johnston +2 (deviled eggs; wine; first aid kit; chairs)

TheMatt

thistle +3 (camp stoves and canopy; pulled pork)

Xochitl10 +1 (daigaku imo, enchiladas or dessert)

So ... whatcha cookin'?

But wait! Who said you had to cook? Bring your favorite pastries (or wine and beer), or pick up some great cheeses and baguettes (or wine and beer), or, heck, even some bags of potato chips and dip (or wine and beer).

Do you sense a theme?

Also keep in mind the following items you might have on hand to contribute:

• A deep-fryer and portable grills sure do come in handy.
  
• Coolers and ice are useful, as is lots of bottled water and even juices and sodas for the kids and those who don't drink.
  
• Folding chairs are always a good idea. There are picnic tables set up under the pavillion, but chairs are nice if you want to eat under the trees.
  
• I have some supplies left from the last picnic that I will bring, although more plates/napkins/utensils are always welcome.
  
• We will have a basic first aid kit; extra sunscreen, insect repellant, band-aids, antibacterial hand gel, and aspirin can be nice to have around.
  
• Cameras are fine too - just no face shots on the internet without permission (see thread on Cameras for Food Porn if you like ) .
  

[Barbara]

Dame Edna and i will be there with a guest, who wants to make a "signature" dish. She's a part-time caterer and really knows how to cook. I will bring a dessert and some wine, as usual.

[chaofun]

I'm leaning candied homemade bacon now.... ribs though are always a possibility.

[agm]

NotQuickDraw and I are coming. We haven't decided what we're bringing; most likely some form of roasted or smoked meat.

[StorageLady]

Can't wait! Don and I are bringing along 2 DR newbies (not that I'm exactly a frequent flyer myself). My guests, Keith and Andrea are VERY excited to be coming as they are brand new to the whole phenom that is DR... See you all there!

[Barbara]

Dame Edna and i will be there with a guest, who wants to make a "signature" dish. She's a part-time caterer and really knows how to cook. I will bring a dessert and some wine, as usual.

Well now. In "honor" of the new Cafe Nonna, or whatever it's called, I will bring Lorenza De Medici's Torta della Nonna to the picnic. I used to make this for company pot-lucks, back when I actually had to work for a living. Not to worry--it's pretty good and will feed far more than the recipe says it will.

[leleboo]

As it turns gross and gray outside my window right now, my brain turns visions of golden October sunlight and the brilliant colors of changing leaves and cookbook covers...*

Picnic roundup!

agm + NotQuickDraw (some roasted meat ... mmm, roasty)

astrid +1

Barbara, Dame Edna, +1 (Torta della nonna & a 'signature dish')

chaofun + jchao (there's a rumor of candied bacon)

choirgirl21

crackers +1

durwoodx (beer, deep fryer)

For Love of Wine (wine)

goodeats (dessert)

Heather (baked beans)

Ilaine +2 (small stove; jambalaya)

Jacques Gastreaux +1

kay quirk (wine)

Kibbee Nayee +6

KMango +1 (wine tasting)

ktmoomau +1(small grill; dessert; wine)

leleboo

lperry +1

mdt (terrines )

Scott Johnston +2 (deviled eggs; wine; first aid kit; chairs)

StorageLady +3

TheMatt

thistle +3 (camp stoves and canopy; pulled pork)

Xochitl10 +1 (daigaku imo, enchiladas or dessert)

...and the cookbook swap

All you TBD's out there -- don't be afraid if you aren't comfortable in the kitchen. After all, who said you had to cook? Bring your favorite pastries (or wine and beer), or pick up some great cheeses and baguettes (or wine and beer), or, heck, even some bags of potato chips and dip (or wine and beer).

Do you sense a theme?

Also keep in mind the following items you might have on hand to contribute:

• Coolers and ice are useful, as is lots of bottled water and even juices and sodas for the kids and those who don't drink.
  
• Folding chairs are always a good idea. There are picnic tables set up under the pavillion, but chairs are nice if you want to eat under the trees.
  
• I have some supplies left from the last picnic that I will bring, although more plates/napkins/utensils are always welcome.
  
• We will have a basic first aid kit; extra sunscreen, insect repellant, band-aids, antibacterial hand gel, and aspirin can be nice to have around.
  
• Cameras are fine too - just no face shots on the internet without permission (see thread on Cameras for Food Porn if you like ) .
  

*This was extraordinarily forced and heavy-handed. I expect you all to make fun of me.

[22209]

I'm in and likely +1 as well. Yay!

[mdt]

And let's not forget about the Cellar Cull.

[catharine]

I'm in +1. We haven't figured out what we're bringing yet.

[astrid]

Still me +1.

I'm planning to bring my foolproof Thai red curry boneless chicken thighs and oven roasted fall veggies (garlicky brussel sprouts or roasted Korean yam/kabocha with onion/cardamom).

I also have several unopened #10 tins of freeze dried survival food, should foodpocalypse occur during the next four weeks.

[leleboo]

Anyone else jonesing for gorgeous late-October weather instead of this July/August redux we're experiencing??

Also, if you feel like challenging me to see if they'll reheat acceptably (sacrilege, I know), I'll make my blue-cheese gougères for the picnic. Vote now, or forever hold your cheese.

Attendance round-up:

• agm + NotQuickDraw
  
• astrid +1(Thai red curry boneless chicken thighs; oven-roasted fall vegetables)
  
• Barbara, Dame Edna, +1 (Torta della nonna & a 'signature dish')
  
• catharine +1
  
• chaofun + jchao
  
• choirgirl21
  
• crackers +1
  
• durwoodx (beer, deep fryer)
  
• For Love of Wine (wine)
  
• goodeats (dessert)
  
• Heather (baked beans; cookbooks)
  
• Ilaine +2 (small stove; jambalaya)
  
• Jacques Gastreaux +1
  
• kay quirk (wine)
  
• Kibbee Nayee +6
  
• KMango +1 (wine tasting)
  
• ktmoomau +1(small grill; dessert; wine)
  
• leleboo (picnic infrastructure; chicken-liver paté, and ... ?)
  
• lperry +1
  
• mdt (terrines )
  
• Scott Johnston +2 (deviled eggs; wine; first aid kit; chairs)
  
• StorageLady +3
  
• TheMatt
  
• thistle +3 (camp stoves and canopy; pulled pork)
  
• Xochitl10 +1 (daigaku imo, enchiladas or dessert)
  
• 22209 +1
  

We'll swap cookbooks, drink wine we've culled, and eat ourselves silly!

In a few weeks I'll make a list of what we have, so if you're still trying to figure out what to bring, no worries ... you might get some ideas then. And don't feel pressured to cook! Bring your favorite pastries (or wine and beer), or pick up some great cheeses and baguettes (or wine and beer), or, heck, even some bags of potato chips and dip (or wine and beer).

Do you sense a theme?

Also keep in mind the following items you might have on hand to contribute:

• A deep-fryer and portable grills sure do come in handy.
  
• Coolers and ice are useful, as is lots of bottled water and even juices and sodas for the kids and those who don't drink.
  
• Folding chairs are always a good idea. There are picnic tables set up under the pavillion, but chairs are nice if you want to eat under the trees.
  
• I have some supplies left from the last picnic that I will bring, although more plates/napkins/utensils are always welcome.
  
• We will have a basic first aid kit; extra sunscreen, insect repellant, band-aids, antibacterial hand gel, and aspirin can be nice to have around.
  
• Cameras are fine too - just no face shots on the internet without permission (see thread on Cameras for Food Porn if you like ) .
  

[1000yregg]

I'm coming- dunno what I'm gonna bring.

[leleboo]

I'm coming- dunno what I'm gonna bring.

Camera?

[1000yregg]

Camera?

I definitely plan to document the picnic. Oh, and I think I have +2.

[sweth]

It looks like I'll be joining as well. Not sure what I'm brining, but I feel myself moving into a soup-making phase. Currently percolating in the soup idea hopper: a short rib stew, some sort of thai green curry fish soup, and a squid and japanese mustard green soup that I accidentally made a few years ago and rather liked. Let me know if there's any interest in any of those, and also if soup is just logistically too much of a pain and if I should redirect my efforts elsewhere so I'm not in full-on soup mode by mid-October.

[leleboo]

It looks like I'll be joining as well. Not sure what I'm brining, but I feel myself moving into a soup-making phase. Currently percolating in the soup idea hopper: a short rib stew, some sort of thai green curry fish soup, and a squid and japanese mustard green soup that I accidentally made a few years ago and rather liked. Let me know if there's any interest in any of those, and also if soup is just logistically too much of a pain and if I should redirect my efforts elsewhere so I'm not in full-on soup mode by mid-October.

We've had soups before -- no problem! With all the grills and stoves, they're easy enough to reheat. Maybe finalize how heavy a soup you want about a week out, when you have a better idea of the weather and can also see what else is on the menu?

[DanielK]

I realized I never put my RSVP in. +3, and as usual will bring the soccer goals and balls, cooler of iced water, and food TBD.