Fall Picnic @ Belle Haven Park

[Barbara]

Just no wine in a box.

Amen, Sister. For those of you who don't have or don't trust your culinary skills there are quite a few alternatives. The bottom line is: if it tastes good, we will be happy to eat it, whether or not you made it yourself.

[mktye]

The bottom line is:  if it tastes good, we will be happy to eat it, whether or not you made it yourself.

Exactly!

[DanielK]

Bringing a dish to be named later:

DanielK -- something with apples

My wife has decided to make applesauce with the half-bushel we got at the farm. Anyone have an especially great recipe they want to share?

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Just no wine in a box.

Most of the wine I drink comes from a box, and the better ones from a wooden box.

[hillvalley]

An update on our paper good needs from Mr. Gastreaux:

I looked through the bag and I can say that two things we do NOT need are paper plates and plastic cultery.  Other than that, there is a half roll of paper towels and a half a package of paper napkins.  Zero on things like trash bags, tablecloths, plastic storage bags for leftovers, plastic cups.

For those who do not want to bring food, here is a good place to start

Also, a while back we had an idea for a tasting. If you would like to either chip in some money or pick up a sample of the surprise item let me know

[Heather]

I have received my instructions and will be bringing sugar cookies and a salad of some sort.

[mktye]

The latest tally...

Meats/Mains:

Jacques Gastreaux -- 2 smoked pork shoulders (butt) & NC-style sauce

rvanrens -- lightly cremated dead animal

shogun -- miniburgers with an assortment of similarly played-out toppings

mktye -- TX-style BBQ brisket with country-western song sauce

Tripewriter & Walrus -- Cincinnati chili

bubbaque -- couple or three racks of dry-rubbed ribs with a side of chipotle bbq sauce

Al Dente -- definitely-maybe a braised beef substance, probably spicy, with some tortilla action

Sides/Salads:

Jacques Gastreaux -- roasted potato salad

CresentFresh -- some form of chicken salad and probably some corn bread

RaisaB -- tuna aspic

mktye -- coleslaw

Barbara -- pasta salad in homage to Rocks

ScotteeM -- green bean salad

DanielK -- applesauce (or should this be under desserts?)

MelGold -- a big tossed salad (and a surprise )

goldenticket -- Morrocan spiced carrot salad

Scott Johnston -- homemade pickles (2 kinds sweet and sour), maybe a pot of collard greens, or maybe red cabbage

Desserts:

LoganCircle -- better-than-Cakelove red velvet cupcakes

laniloa -- chocolate-laden baked goods

Skysplitter -- pie(s)

tenunda -- cake and/or pie

hm212 -- a dessert

crackers -- tentatively an apple crisp

clayrae -- something chocolate

goldenticket -- zucchini chocolate cake

Heather -- sugar cookies

Appetizers/Drinks/Other:

clayrae -- michael chiarello's cheese salsa with things to dip

Heather -- veggies and dip

hillvalley -- smoked alaskan salmon with a dipping sauce and brown bread

Hannah -- chips, bread, soda, or some combination thereof

hm212 -- “kid junk”

Jacques Gastreaux -- thermos of "martian pig slop from hell"

starfish -- "beverages"

MelGold -- trash bags and containers for leftovers

crackers -- large garbage bags and zip-lock freezer bags

mktye -- tablecoverings and a means of securing them to the tables

rvanrens -- BBQ grill

DanielK -- soccer stuff for the kids

Bringing a dish to be named later:

JPW -- still awaiting inspiration

Nadya -- something "serviceable"

mdt -- ??? (too busy hitting the school books instead of the cookbooks? )

Please PM me with any picnic-food-related corrections, omissions, deletions, additions, changes, spelling errors and/or questions.

Edited September 26, 2005 by mktye

[hillvalley]

Also, a while back we had an idea for a tasting.  If you would like to either chip in some money or pick up a sample of the surprise item let me know

Change in plans. We'll do the surprise tasting in the Spring.

This time around we are going to do an olive oil tasting. For hygienic and environmental reasons we are going to use baguette slices as the tasting vessel and it sounds like we have found someone to provide them.

What we need from you all are different varieties. If you know what you can bring ahead of time shoot me a PM so I know that no one else is bringing the same variety. We are not just looking for your $50 bottles (although we would love to try them too ) but a wide range of varieties. The only requirement is that it be Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

[Al Dente]

The latest tally...

Meats/Mains:

Al Dente -- definitely-maybe a braised beef substance, probably spicy, with some tortilla action

What do you guys want? I'm on a bit of a low budget, but I thought I'd get a big hunk of beef for braising and spice it up a bit. I was thinking barbacoa, but I'm open to idears.

Also, anyone know where to get some good tortillas? Either flour or corn.

Look forward to seeing you all there,

Al

[Tweaked]

Canales deli at Eastern Market has good flour and corn tortillas...check where you order sandwiches

[MelGold]

What do you guys want? I'm on a bit of a low budget, but I thought I'd get a big hunk of beef for braising and spice it up a bit. I was thinking barbacoa, but I'm open to idears.

Also, anyone know where to get some good tortillas? Either flour or corn.

Look forward to seeing you all there,

Al

I have some flour tortillas from HEB in Texas in the freezer. I'd be happy to contribute.

[mdt]

I have some flour tortillas from HEB in Texas in the freezer.  I'd be happy to contribute.

Only you! You crazy Texan.

[shogun]

Soon, you will all know and fear my powerful secret weapon.

[goldenticket]

Also, I will need volunteers to help watch the site that morning (JG did way too much last time so you Va. people need to step up), make sure that there was no evidence that we were there when it is finished, carpool with people coming from the city who don't have cars, pick up people from the metro, etc.  If you can help let me know.

I'd be happy to ride my bike down and help with 'site watching' - just let me know when to be there. Depending on the timing of that duty, I could probably offer 2-3 people a ride from Braddock Rd (or King St) Metro, too.

Is 1:00 the official start time??

[crackers]

I'd be happy to ride my bike down and help with 'site watching' - just let me know when to be there.  Depending on the timing of that duty, I could probably offer 2-3 people a ride from Braddock Rd (or King St) Metro, too.

What kind of a bike is that?

[goldenticket]

What kind of a bike is that?

It's just a regular old 2 wheeler, pedal-powered hybrid.

Perhaps I should clarify, depending on the timing of site-watching - I could ride my BICYCLE back to my house in Alexandria and pick up my car, as well as 2-3 folks who might need a ride from the Metro

[hillvalley]

I'm going to start to figure out numbers here to make sure we have enough of everything, although there will never be enough pork

Here's the list I have so far:

Camillie-Beau 2

clayrae 1

crackers 1

crescent fresh 4

Daniel K 4

goldenticket 2

Hannah 2

hm212 3

jacques gastreaux 4

jpw 3

Laniloa 2

Logan Circle 2

mdt 1

melgold 1

mktye 2

Nadya 1

RaisaB 1

rvanrens 3

Scott Johnston 1

Shogun 1

Skysplitter 1

starfish 1

tenunda 1

tripewriter 2

Tweaked 1

Total 48

Please let me know if I have missed you or have your count wrong. I'm not looking for a commitment but want to have a general idea.

Edited September 27, 2005 by hillvalley

[ScotteeM]

Wow, that's a lot of people!

Um, I checked the list (twice) and didn't see me or Mr. ScotteeM listed. We're coming. We promised green beans.

ScotteeM (still hearing Bob Dylan in my head after the PBS special)

[Halloween]

I'll be there, possibly +1.

I fall into the "bringing plastic storage bags/plastic cups/paper towel" camp.

Edited September 27, 2005 by Monique DC

[mdt]

I will be there +2, and possibly more.

[Scott Johnston]

All,

I am sorry to say i have to cancel for this weekend. I did not know that the baptism that I am attending runs all afternoon. I am becoming a Godfather, and now have to eat Italian and grant favors all afternoon at my brother's place in Baltimore. If I get out in time I will stop by with the homemade pickles and curried pickled califlower that I made last weekend.

Scott Johnston AKA haggisman

[Heather]

You forgot me. I will be there solo.

[mktye]

I fall into the "bringing plastic storage bags/plastic cups/paper towel" camp.

For those bringing such things... we are also in need of some paper napkins.

[Al Dente]

You forgot me and Mrs Dente

[Barbara]

Add Craig and me. BTW, has the start time been determined yet? Is 1 pm official?

Edited September 27, 2005 by Barbara

[hillvalley]

Yes, we are still on for 1pm.

No, I did not forget any of you. A couple of pages back I asked people to PM me to let me know if they were coming. I keep track off line and the list I posted is based off the spreadsheet. The additions have been made Doesn't matter if you are on the list or not, as long as you let someone (mktye or myself) know that you are joining us and what you would like to bring.

Here is the current list without how many people are joining you. It's actually less than we had in the spring, when we had about 1/3 as many members

Al Dente

Barbara

brr

bubaque

Camillie-Beau

clayrae

crackers

crescent fresh

Daniel K

goldenticket

Hannah

Heather

hm212

jacques gastreaux

jpw

Laniloa

Logan Circle

mdt

melgold

mktye

Monique

Nadya

RaisaB

rvanrens

Scottee

Shogun

Skysplitter

starfish

tenunda

tripewriter

Tweaked

The total now is 51, plus or minus a few.

[mktye]

For those still trying to decide what to bring, I'm bumping the current food list up to this page of the thread ...

Meats/Mains:

Jacques Gastreaux -- 2 smoked pork shoulders (butt) & NC-style sauce

rvanrens -- lightly cremated dead animal

shogun -- miniburgers with an assortment of similarly played-out toppings

mktye -- TX-style BBQ brisket with country-western song sauce

Tripewriter & Walrus -- Cincinnati chili

bubbaque -- couple or three racks of dry-rubbed ribs with a side of chipotle bbq sauce

Al Dente -- definitely-maybe a braised beef substance, probably spicy, with some good tortilla action

Sides/Salads:

Jacques Gastreaux -- roasted potato salad

CresentFresh -- some form of chicken salad and probably some corn bread

RaisaB -- tuna aspic

mktye -- coleslaw

Barbara -- pasta salad in homage to Rocks

ScotteeM -- green bean salad

DanielK -- applesauce (or should this be under desserts?)

MelGold -- a big tossed salad (and a surprise )

goldenticket -- Morrocan spiced carrot salad

Rissa P -- fruit platter

Scott Johnston -- homemade pickles (2 kinds sweet and sour) with may show up a bit late

Desserts:

LoganCircle -- better-than-Cakelove red velvet cupcakes

laniloa -- chocolate-laden baked goods

Skysplitter -- pie(s)

tenunda -- cake and/or pie

hm212 -- a dessert

crackers -- tentatively an apple crisp

clayrae -- something chocolate

goldenticket -- zucchini chocolate cake

Heather -- sugar cookies

Appetizers/Drinks/Other:

clayrae -- michael chiarello's cheese salsa with things to dip

Heather -- veggies and dip

hillvalley -- smoked alaskan salmon with a dipping sauce and brown bread

Rissa P -- epoisses

Hannah -- chips, bread, soda, or some combination thereof

hm212 -- “kid junk”

Jacques Gastreaux -- thermos of "martian pig slop from hell"

starfish -- "beverages"

JPW -- soft drinks and bottled water

Rissa P -- ice, paper napkins and trash bags

MelGold -- trash bags and containers for leftovers

crackers -- large garbage bags and zip-lock freezer bags

Monique DC -- plastic storage bags/plastic cups/paper towels and such

mktye -- tablecoverings and a means of securing them to the tables

Jacques Gastreaux -- a corkscrew (just in case)

rvanrens -- BBQ grill

DanielK -- soccer stuff for the kids

Bringing a dish to be named later:

Nadya -- something "serviceable"

mdt -- ??? (too busy hitting the school books instead of the cookbooks? )

Tweaked -- something that we'll be happy to see when he shows up late

Please PM me with any picnic-food-related corrections, omissions, deletions, additions, changes, spelling errors and/or questions. Or if you need help in deciding what to bring.

Edited September 28, 2005 by mktye

[Jacques Gastreaux]

I'd like to say a word our two about quantity. Please, what ever you do, don't bringing enough of whatever you are bringing to feed 50 people. Do the math. If 30 people each bring one thing in a quanity to feed 50 poeple, each peson will have to eat 30 helpings in order to use it all up. That ain't likely to happen. That will lead to a mountain of lefovers. Plan on bringing enough to feed no more than 15 people. We threw out so much stuff last time, it was unbelievalbe.

Edited September 28, 2005 by Jacques Gastreaux

[hillvalley]

Hey Corduroy people, rumor has it you are coming?

(woo hoo, modern technology at work )

[RissaP]

Hey Corduroy people, rumor has it you are coming?

(woo hoo, modern technology at work )

Count me in. Last time was so much fun! I have to work that day, but I will drop by for a couple of hours and enjoy the company of fellow Rockwellians—how can I resist that?

[Tweaked]

My problem is I'll be in the swamps of New Jersey most of Saturday and have a soccer game early Sunday afternoon, so my ability to cook something is limited. Plus by the time I arrive (around 4) I'm sure most people will be stuffed.

So....I can bring something lame like garbage bags (if still needed) or beer...open to suggestions...

Don't eat everything before I arrive!

[Angelicatt]

I was really looking forward to coming and meeting some new people in the field but I have to MD to help winterize my grand-inlaws Ocean City home....

maybe if it's sunny I'll get a tan out of it to....

My luck huh!!!

[Barbara]

                 

I was really looking forward to coming and meeting some new people in the field but I have to MD to help winterize my grand-inlaws Ocean City home....

maybe if it's sunny I'll get a tan out of it to....

My luck huh!!!

Yes, but there will undoubtedly be other occasions . . . as long as HillValley's "Inner Party Organzer" kicks in whenever a successful Rockwellian event takes place.

[CrescentFresh]

                 

I was really looking forward to coming and meeting some new people in the field but I have to MD to help winterize my grand-inlaws Ocean City home....

maybe if it's sunny I'll get a tan out of it to....

My luck huh!!!

Is the house on the beach? We can always move the picnic.

[hillvalley]

So far, with a couple of exceptions, the only people who have offered to bring olive oil are those who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes. It would be great if some others would step up and offer to donate some oil.

Thanks

[starfish]

So far, with a couple of exceptions, the only people who have offered to bring olive oil are those who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes.  It would be great if some others would step up and offer to donate some oil.

Thanks

i would be happy to bring olive oil (she's a little skinny for my taste, but what the hell i need a date )

how much do we need?

[Angelicatt]

Is the house on the beach?  We can always move the picnic. 

I don't all of you could fit into a dbl-wide trailer in a trailer park....it does sleep 12 though - I'm still try to figure that one out....

I'll have to wait until the next shindig.

[shogun]

step up and offer to donate some oil.

My half-gallon or so of Whole Foods brand oil is at your disposal.

[ScotteeM]

So far, with a couple of exceptions, the only people who have offered to bring olive oil are those who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes.  It would be great if some others would step up and offer to donate some oil.

Thanks

Are you looking for unopened bottles? Or would the partially used bottle of Wegmans EVOO "Sicilian Style" in my pantry be OK to bring?

ScotteeM

[mktye]

So far, with a couple of exceptions, the only people who have offered to bring olive oil are those who are putting in a lot of work behind the scenes.  It would be great if some others would step up and offer to donate some oil.

Thanks

Brands of EVOO we have so far:

Filipo Berio

Bertolli

Carapelli

Bella Famiglia

Pompeian

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's Kalamata

Trader Joe's Black Truffle

Wegmans "Sicilian Style"

Whole Foods

Manni "Per Me"

Manni "Per Mio Figlio"

Antica Italia

Edited September 30, 2005 by mktye

[hillvalley]

It can be opened or unopened. We don't need a lot, just enough to fill a small bowl.

[Camille-Beau]

Brands of EVOO we have so far:

Filipo Berio

Bertolli

Carapelli

Bella Famiglia

Pompeian

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's Kalamata

Trader Joe's Black Truffle

Wegmans "Sicilian Style"

Whole Foods

Don't forget "Manni" -- both 'Per Me' and 'Per Mio Figlio' types

Edited September 30, 2005 by Camille-Beau

[Al Dente]

I'll bring some EVOO. Not sure what kind yet, I'll pick it up tomorrow.

[mktye]

Don't forget "Manni" -- both 'Per Me' and 'Per Mio Figlio' types

So are you offering to bring some?

Manni (caution: obnoxious, graphics-intensive site)

To buy it (Only $240 for 1L!)

[Camille-Beau]

So are you offering to bring some?  

Manni (caution: obnoxious, graphics-intensive site)

To buy it (Only $240 for 1L!)

Yep, I'll be bringing the Manni

[goldenticket]

It would be great if some others would step up and offer to donate some oil.

I can bring some - can't recall the brand right now, but it's some that I bought in large quantity at the Philly Italian Market - might be Colavita....

[Jacques Gastreaux]

OK. I've got about 15 lbs. worth of pork butt in the brine, they'll go on the smoker in the morning.

But, more importantly, we need volunteers to help babysit the picnic tables on Sunday morning. A friend of mine and I will be at the park right before dark (the park closes at dark) on Saturday to corral the tables and I will be back at the park at 8:30 on Sunday morning to exercise my dog; I can revalidate the claim then. We need people work one-hour or so shifts the rest of the morning starting at 9:30. The weather will be beautiful so bring the Sunday paper and a cup of coffee and keep table poachers away. Please PM me with the time you would prefer. I will keep this post updated as time slots fill up.

9:30-10:30--laniloa

10:30-11:30--Goldenticket

11:30-12:30--mktye

12:30-1:00--Crackers

Also, Wilson Bridge construction has complicated the directions to the park somewhat. If you plan to take the beltway, the exit to Washington St. is closed. From either direction, take the Rt. 1 North exit. At the first light (gas stations on two corners) take a right. Three blocks later is S. Washington St. (Balducci and Suburban Cleaners are on the corners) Turn right onto S. Washington and it will take you to the park.

Edited October 1, 2005 by Jacques Gastreaux

[mktye]

The latest food tally...

Meats/Mains:

Jacques Gastreaux -- 2 smoked pork shoulders (butt) & NC-style sauce

rvanrens -- lightly cremated dead animal

shogun -- miniburgers with an assortment of similarly played-out toppings

mktye -- TX-style BBQ brisket with country-western song sauce

Tripewriter & Walrus -- Cincinnati chili

bubbaque -- couple or three racks of dry-rubbed ribs with a side of chipotle bbq sauce

mdt -- some sort of meat

Beau (of Camille-Beau) -- filet of beef tenderloin (medium rare)

Al Dente -- definitely-maybe a braised beef substance, probably spicy, with some good tortilla action

Sides/Salads:

Jacques Gastreaux -- roasted potato salad

CresentFresh -- some form of chicken salad and probably some corn bread

RaisaB -- tuna aspic

mktye -- coleslaw

Barbara -- pasta salad in homage to Rocks

ScotteeM -- green bean salad

DanielK -- applesauce (or should this be under desserts?)

MelGold -- a big tossed salad (and a surprise )

goldenticket -- Morrocan spiced carrot salad

Camille (of Camille-Beau) -- pesto pasta salad

Rissa P -- fruit platter

Scott Johnston -- homemade pickles (2 kinds sweet and sour) with may show up a bit late

Desserts:

LoganCircle -- better-than-Cakelove red velvet cupcakes

laniloa -- chocolate-laden baked goods

Skysplitter -- pie(s)

tenunda -- cake and/or pie

hm212 -- a dessert

crackers -- tentatively an apple crisp

clayrae -- something chocolate

goldenticket -- zucchini chocolate cake

Camille (of Camille-Beau) -- possibly a caramel & cream cheese apple pie

Heather -- sugar cookies

Nadya's friend -- chocolate amaretti cake

Appetizers/Drinks/Other:

clayrae -- michael chiarello's cheese salsa with things to dip

Heather -- veggies and dip

hillvalley -- smoked alaskan salmon with a dipping sauce and brown bread

Rissa P -- epoisses

Nadya -- tomatoes with blue cheese, basil and bacon

Hannah -- chips, bread, soda, or some combination thereof

hm212 -- “kid junk”

Jacques Gastreaux -- thermos of "martian pig slop from hell"

starfish -- "beverages"

JPW -- soft drinks and bottled water

Rissa P -- ice, paper napkins and trash bags

MelGold -- trash bags and containers for leftovers

crackers -- large garbage bags and zip-lock freezer bags

Monique DC -- plastic storage bags/plastic cups/paper towels and such

mktye -- tablecoverings and a means of securing them to the tables

Jacques Gastreaux -- a corkscrew (just in case)

rvanrens -- BBQ grill

DanielK -- soccer stuff for the kids

Bringing a dish to be named later:

Tweaked, someone who we'll be happy to see when he shows up late

Please PM me with any picnic-food-related corrections, omissions, deletions, additions, changes, spelling errors and/or questions. Or if you need help in deciding what to bring.

Edited September 30, 2005 by mktye

[mktye]

Yep, I'll be bringing the Manni

Very, very cool!

[Tweaked]

Bringing a dish to be named later:

Tweaked -- something that we'll be happy to see when he shows up late 

I'm bringing myself, isn't that dishy enough for you all