DFW Dopefest-Barbeque-Housewarmin'

[Ziactrice]

Who is Invited:
All y'all come, just let your kind hostess (that's me) know so I can keep a rough headcount. I'm supplying the hotdogs, hamburgers, and other meat (or veggie substitute huge mushrooms, grilled first to prevent 'contamination') at your requests. So you do really want to let me know, so everyone will get a generous, heaping helping of Texan grilled goodness.

What to Bring:
Typical BBQ stuff: side dishes that won't die from being outside a while, bags of ice for those who don't cook, one person could bring paper plates, another a lot of plastic cups, plastic utensils, lawn or folding chairs, corn or other things to also be grilled, watermelons... I'd love it if someone has an electric or even hand-cranked ice cream freezer to bring - we can coordinate on getting enough ice and rock salt, too. *I'll track what is being brought by whom in the reply messages.

What Not to Bring:
Housewarming presents. I'm just using this as an excuse to have company over to have a good time.

When:
High Noon, Saturday, March 30th - that is the Saturday after Good Friday.

Where:
At my new home, in Plano, Texas. This is just north and east of Dallas; the nearest major intersection is 15th Street and Coit if you want to get an idea how far. Since I don't exactly want to print my address to the entire virtual world, just email me for address, directions, and cell phone number in case of terminal lost-your-wayness.

Why:
Texan barbeque. Good friends who have a great time together. No need to keep it down, because it isn't a restaurant. I have the Neighbors that Aren't Very Nice on one side, and a Slumlord Rental Owner remodeling his vacant house on the other. ;)Besides, it is a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, especially before it gets hot for the summer here.

Miscellaneous:
I have a fussy neighbor, so be careful to park Extra Legally; don't even think about on the grass anywhere. However, there is a cul-de-sac roundabout right in front, so there should be enough space.

[Chef Troy]

Ziactrice, if I may offer a little advice, if you want to depend on the Adams family to provide the side dishes, it's best to give specific assignments or at least verify what people are bringing.

I'm bringing my famous baked beans if that's okay with you - and how about this Friday for the meat shopping? Saturday is Chef Jr.'s birthday party, so I won't be available then, I'm afraid.

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Chef Troy
Ziactrice, if I may offer a little advice, if you want to depend on the Adams family to provide the side dishes, it's best to give specific assignments or at least verify what people are bringing.

I'm bringing my famous baked beans if that's okay with you - and how about this Friday for the meat shopping? Saturday is Chef Jr.'s birthday party, so I won't be available then, I'm afraid.

Well, I didn't like Friday night, and several other had problems.

How about Sunday? Same time, same place?

I know your wife can't, but can you?
Sure, you can bring on the beans (although how you're going to bring them if you can't be there eludes me on a strictly metaphysical level).

Friday works for shopping, as long as you consider I am way out here in Plano until 5 PM and I don't like to penetrate the heavy traffic of a Dallas Friday night jam. Erm, I mean, as long as you don't mind doing it in late evening v. late afternoon, and the places will still be open.

And I'll track/assign as needed, but so far, there hasn't yet been a tremendous line forming (hint...hint, folks?).

[Chef Troy]

No, no, no.

I meant THIS Saturday won't do for MEAT shopping. NEXT Saturday is fine for your party, and I would never dictate when you throw a party anyway.

[Chef Troy]

Oh, and perhaps we'd better do the meat shopping on Sunday instead. I'm off during the day Friday but after five I have commitments.

[Balance]

Regrettably, I will be out of town on the 30th. Have a little extra fun for me, OK?

[Ziactrice]

Ohhhhhhh, okay Cheffie. :) We're a go on the original day and time, and that is a big 10-4 on the meat shopping Sunday. :-) I'm glad you cleared me up on that.

So far, I have four, count 'em, four solid RSVPs.

Cheffie - grilling and bringin his Pot o' Beans special dish
Zyada - making it, no dish yet specified (what would you like to bring, if you have no notion, I can assign stuff like Chef Troy was hinting I should)
Grace - who can show up the week before and the week after, if she likes. I like having company. As long as she also shows up the week of! Any idea what you'd like to bring?
Lord Jim - Dare I ask you to bring along some sweet corn for grilling? Or do you have something even more tempting in mind? (knowing you, I'd bet on the latter...)

scotth, can you be there?

Balance, I'm sorry to miss you. We'll have to do our poor best on notes without you, but it won't be the same.

Ziactrice

[GraceTX]

I'll bring a big batch of chocolate chip cookies. I can also make a pasta salad or potato salad. Your choice.

[Ringo]

The 30th is a Saturday. I can probably make it that evening. Is that the deal?

If so, I can bring boiled shrimp and/or brownies. Yeah - homemade - Yeah - Right.

[Lord Jim]

Ringo, it's to start at noon, but bring the shrimp and come on anyway.

Zia, I'm usually a beer and money type, but I can do sweet corn, too. I'm not bringing a birthday cake since I don't think it's anyone's birthday.

Oh, and yeah, I'll be there.

Jim

[Zyada]

I'll bring a fruit salad. Any fruits anyone allergic to?

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Grace
I'll bring a big batch of chocolate chip cookies. I can also make a pasta salad or potato salad. Your choice.

I'd vote for pasta! Mmmmm, chocolate.

Well, guys, Grace has her priorities straight. Dessert first; life is short. :D

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Lord Jim
Ringo, it's to start at noon, but bring the shrimp and come on anyway.

Zia, I'm usually a beer and money type, but I can do sweet corn, too. I'm not bringing a birthday cake since I don't think it's anyone's birthday.

Oh, and yeah, I'll be there.

Jim

Grin. I think that makes 6 for the headcount, so you don't need to worry on the money end. If you'd rather bring beer, suits me well enough. I can just lay on the sweet corn myself, since I seem to be the only Big Fan.

I'll break down and do watermelon, too, if no one else does. There are just some things a BBQ shouldn't happen without.

Btw, Cheffie? When we go meat-shopping Sunday, we are also picking out the grill, so I have time to assemble it Pre-Dopefest.

[GraceTX]

Originally posted by Zyada
I'll bring a fruit salad. Any fruits anyone allergic to?

I'm allergic to fresh pineapple. Canned pineapple is okay.

I asked Aglarond if he was coming, but he doesn't know if he's going to be on call. He's deathly allergic to peanuts so if you make anything with peanut or peanut oil, just be sure to let him know before he samples it.

[Ike Witt]

I'd love to come. I can bring some brownies if that is okay.

[Lord Jim]

Zia, I can handle beer and the corn or the watermelon. Just let me know what to do.

Jim

[Chef Troy]

On the subject of pasta salad, I have just this to say.

Bleagh.

This despite the fact that I DO like cold spaghetti - albeit only when standing in front of the refrigerator after midnight.

I vote for potato salad.

Ziactrice, as soon as Mrs. Chef lets me know when she's going to be at work Sunday we can plan our little meat-quest.

[GraceTX]

I'll make pasta and potato salad. No biggie. As long as I don't have to take the leftovers. I hate leftovers.

[Zyada]

Well, make very small portions of each!

And Mom is allergic to peanuts, and I don't like 'em, so I never use 'em

You mean you can get pineapple in something besides a can? :eek:

[Ziactrice]

The Menu

no peanut products
no canned pineapple


The Roll of Honored Guests


Chef Troy, Master of the Grill, Esteemed Bringer of the Beans
Zyada, She Who Knows the Mysteries of the Truly Great Fruit Salad
Grace, Lady of Chocolate Chip Cookiedom, Madamoiselle of Salads Pasta and Potato, She Who Will Brook No Leftovers (which is fine, I'll be happy to take care of those. :D )
Lord Jim, Nobleman of Brew, He Who Handles Watermelon, and Dares the Sweet Corn (sorry, Jim, I can't give you advice on how to handle any of these; my experience is limited to men..... ;) ) You have rather a lot, let me know, and perhaps someone else can take up the Quest for Sweet Corn or Watermelon Goodness.
Adam Yax He Who Brings the Brownies is Always Welcome (especially since it means Ringo will bring boiled shrimp...whoooo!)
Ringo Fashionably Late but Much Anticipated with Boiled Shrimp (don't worry, I'll make sure we save you a bunch of good, fresh grilled meat, etc.)


No one has yet mentioned any Desire for Alternative Herbovorious, please do if you'd prefer that. I grill a mean portabello.

Any other DFW Dopers want to attend? Come one, come all!

[GraceTX]

Originally posted by Ziactrice
The Menu

no peanut products
no canned pineapple




Correction: No FRESH pineapple. I can eat canned pineapple. Fresh pineapple will make my tongue swell up. As interesting as that sounds, it's extremely painful since I will also have a million jagged little cuts on my tongue.

[Bad News Baboon]

[pouty baby]

I HATE you all.

you always look in my date book when I sleep and find my days out of town.

Grace: oh! Baboon is busy that day, lets have it then!

Troy: oh won't it be swell when we post up the date!

Ziactrice: hee hee. I think its funny how we call it DFW and there is no FW in our plans!

Lord Jim: its funny how we pulled her chain about meeting at Joe Ts.

[/pouty baby]


seriously now. you all suck! ;)

maybe next time.............

(deep sigh)

Fine. I will eat my jello salad alone.

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Bad News Baboon
[pouty baby]
Ziactrice: hee hee. I think its funny how we call it DFW and there is no FW in our plans!
[/pouty baby]


Well, you see, my new house is in Plano, not FW, but
you'd be welcome to come visit some other day, too.

You know what? Sometime this summer, fellow Dopers
of the Metro Area, we should let Bad News Baboon
organize an Outing in FW for us all. ;) I love the Botanical
Garden; the last time I saw it was years ago. I wonder
if they've won their Struggle Against the Big Bamboo,
yet?

[scotth]

Originally posted by Grace


Correction: No FRESH pineapple. I can eat canned pineapple. Fresh pineapple will make my tongue swell up. As interesting as that sounds, it's extremely painful since I will also have a million jagged little cuts on my tongue.

You are supposed to only eat the insides of a fresh pineapple. Use a knife to get rid of the outside parts first.

No really.... how does canning it make it safe for your consumption? That is completely baffling.

Oh, btw.... I am a probable to attend Ziatrice!

[Bad News Baboon]

hey that sounds like a plan!

Lets plan a date and I will do all the legwork.

(p.s: you know I was just kidding, right? :) )

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Bad News Baboon
hey that sounds like a plan!

Lets plan a date and I will do all the legwork.

(p.s: you know I was just kidding, right? :) )

Of course I did. :p
Not that I had mercy on you, or anything. Volunteering
you to be the next Maker of the Get-Together-er seems
a bit wicked, but then again, I am a wicked lady.
Ask anyone. :D

Ziactrice

P.S. Glad you can make it, scooth. What would you like
to bring along to eat? And just so you know, there will
be a password to get in; you have to be able to spell
the hostess' username correcty. (giggle)

[GraceTX]

Originally posted by scotth

No really.... how does canning it make it safe for your consumption? That is completely baffling.


I don't know. I figured it's processed so much that by the time it makes it into the can, whatever it is I'm allergic to is either gone or in such small quantities that it doesn't hurt me.

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Grace
I don't know. I figured it's processed so much that by the time it makes it into the can, whatever it is I'm allergic to is either gone or in such small quantities that it doesn't hurt me.
This caught my curiosity bug, from a chemical standpoint. I thought that the fact that the canned pineapple is pastuerized (e.g. cooked), might very well be breaking down a substance that is what troubles Grace. A bit of Googling turns up the fact that pineapple is indeed, a common food allergy. The odd fact also turned up that it can synergectically combine with a Latex (as in gloves) allergy, and both worsen at each exposure. So, if Grace also cannot wear Latex gloves without dermatitis reaction, I would speculate it might have to do with this:It is estimated that 50 to 70 % of latex-allergic people have IgE antibodies to some vegetables. In addition, the kinds of suspected plant foods are progressively increasing. Fruits are especially notorious for their cross-reactivity, which is often called "latex-fruit syndrome"[1,2]. Besides various vegetables, latex-allergic people are sometimes affected by tree pollen and medical plants. These facts suggest that latex allergy is one cross section of the general "plant allergy". The remarkable cross-reactivity is partly ascribed to the pathogenesis-, or rather, defense-related proteins of higher plants. http://dmd.nihs.go.jp/latex/cross-e.html

If she doesn't have problems with medical gloves, one of the following two substances could be the source of difficulty. Frankly, I'm betting on the 5-hydroxytryptophol because I don't think it would make it through high-temperature and times of canning without being busted into smaller compounds - like loosing the hydroxyl groups to water in the form of steam, or the attached alcohol.

Dietary serotonin and alcohol combined may provoke adverse physiological symptoms due to 5-hydroxytryptophol. (http://allallergy.net/abstracts/index.cfm?ShowMonth=October2001)
Exposure to the allergens may be inhalant during processing fresh pineapple, or by ingestion. Bromelain is a protease found in pineapple which may crossreact with papain (3). Vasoactive amines in pineapple may cause symptoms resembling food allergy especially in pineapple juice. (lost the url, oops)

Hmmm, interesting.

[GraceTX]

I think you're probably on to something. I've often thought that there was something about alcoholic beverages that I couldn't have because I was sick the next day. Now that I'm thinking about it, I usually order a pina colada. Anytime I drink one, I'm always sick the next day with the symptoms described in that link.

[Chef Troy]

slight hijack: Ziactrice, e-mail me about our sunday meat-buying trip. My hours of availability are no longer "all afternoon" but instead "9:30 to 1:00."

Mrs. Chef volunteered me to babysit my nephews from 2 to 5, so I have to be home no later than 1:30.

[Chef Troy]

Originally posted by Ziactrice:
which is often called "latex-fruit syndrome"

Please tell me I'm not the only one who read the phrase "latex-fruit" and immediately thought of a dildo shaped like a banana.

'Cause, you know, I don't mind being a sick puppy but I don't want to be TOO sick.

[Bad News Baboon]

Originally posted by Ziactrice


Of course I did. :p
Not that I had mercy on you, or anything. Volunteering
you to be the next Maker of the Get-Together-er seems
a bit wicked, but then again, I am a wicked lady.
Ask anyone. :D
(giggle)

heh heh...

but you have no idea what my plans are for you, my pretties! (insert evil music). ;)

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Chef Troy


Please tell me I'm not the only one who read the phrase "latex-fruit" and immediately thought of a dildo shaped like a banana.

'Cause, you know, I don't mind being a sick puppy but I don't want to be TOO sick.

Sorry, Cheffie, it's too late to save you.
All I thought about was the Latest, most Terribly Tough-skinned Tomato I was served. ;)

Ziactrice

P.S. Of course, my brain was in 'work-mode', then...

[Neidhart]

I wish Dallas wasn't so damn far away :(

[GraceTX]

bumpity bump bump

[Mtgman]

We've got a birthday party that morning south of the metroplex, we wouldn't be able to make it until, being fairly conservative here, about 2:30PM. If you think that wouldn't be too late we'd happily come. We have a large ice cream freezer we can try to get to someone ahead of time and you can use it. Takes a few hours to make the ice cream though(about two to mix and four to six to cure, or it will be soupy) so we couldn't wait till after we arrive to make it.

Not sure how we'd handle the hand-off of the mixer, but you're welcome to it if you'd like to use it(assuming we can find all it's various and sundry parts ;))

Steven

[Lord Jim]

Steven, you don't live far from me, I could run by and pick it up if people want to do it. I don't mind.

Jim

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Mtgman
We've got a birthday party that morning south of the metroplex, we wouldn't be able to make it until, being fairly conservative here, about 2:30PM. If you think that wouldn't be too late we'd happily come. We have a large ice cream freezer we can try to get to someone ahead of time and you can use it. Takes a few hours to make the ice cream though(about two to mix and four to six to cure, or it will be soupy) so we couldn't wait till after we arrive to make it.

Not sure how we'd handle the hand-off of the mixer, but you're welcome to it if you'd like to use it(assuming we can find all it's various and sundry parts ;))

Steven


Oooooo! Thank you, thank you... and thank you, too, Lord Jim. Now I'll get to do my favorite heat-exchanger and batch process reaction activity. :)

Since I'm pretty much planning for the party to run on to the Whenever Late Eveningtime, 2:30 PM is merely "fashionably late". I'll just hold back some of the meat so you'll get freshly grilled stuff, how about that?

Ex-Tank also emailed me, he'll be able to make it as well. It is shaping up to be a nice shindig. :D

[Chef Troy]

It's starting to look like Mrs. Chef will be able to make it after all! She doesn't know for sure, but as soon as she does I'll let you know so you can add her to the headcount.

[Mtgman]

Sounds good Z. We'll round up all the parts of the mixer tonight and work out a deal with Jim for pickup and delivery. If you've never used one of these large mixers(6 quart) they take quite some time to mix and chill. This is something that should be started the night before and allowed to set in the freezer overnight ideally. We could bring something else for actual food/drinkage. The time we're expecting to get there would be a nice time for a mid-afternoon snack, maybe we'll bring some snackage.

Recipes for ice cream can be found on the net. Found one for a vanilla ice cream that was sooo rich it would make your toes curl. ;) I'd have to search for it if anyone is interested.

Steven

[Zyada]

Ziactrice - I'm running a little late getting directions - I've sent you an email.

[Lord Jim]

Zy, I know the way if you want to ride over with me.

Steven, email me about when is agood time to come over and get the ice cream freezer.

Zia, you want me to bring it to you so you can get started on the ice cream before the party?

Jim

[Ike Witt]

I seriously thought that this was going to be next Saturday. I need a better date keeping system... Anyway I think that I may bring a little surprise for anybody who wants to try it...

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Lord Jim
Zia, you want me to bring it to you so you can get started on the ice cream before the party?

That would be great, Jim, whenever you want to drop by, feel free. If I don't answer the front door, check the backyard before you give up; I'm probably out playing with the dogs. :)

I can even do it on Friday, if it really takes overnight freezing to setup properly, or you can bring it over early Saturday. I'm putting the grill together tonight, and getting my chimney swept [I]just in case it rains[I].

Okay, I had 7, then Ex-Tank,Mrs. Chef,Chef, Jr.,adam yax, and possible neighbor with three year old.

That makes 13 with four "maybes" by my count. I won't be buying the majority of the meat until late tonight, so anybody else who wants to get in on the party, type up now and be counted!

[Chef Troy]

Z, the forecast is calling for major rain Saturday. What's the contingency plan? Do we reschedule for NEXT Saturday or party inside while a soggy Cheffie cooks in the rain?

[GraceTX]

I talked to Aglarond and he is coming.

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Chef Troy
Z, the forecast is calling for major rain Saturday. What's the contingency plan? Do we reschedule for NEXT Saturday or party inside while a soggy Cheffie cooks in the rain?

Well, see Cheffie, I've been secretly positive it was going to rain on my picnic. So, the Rain Plan is:


cook the roast in the oven, cut up for steaks after done
cook the hot dogs and some sausage on skewers over the fire in the fireplace (thus the chimney sweep's visit tonight)
set up all the non-cooking food on the table
bring in the ice chest for drinks/ice
make the ice cream in the sink
watch some hilariously bad movie on the TV-DVD Blazing Saddles anyone?


Of course, this is open to other rainy party ideas - Nearly Nude Twister, Riddle Shots, etc. ;) It all depends on what everyone wants to do.

[Chef Troy]

Why involve the oven at all? We can cut all the meat into chunks and have a kabob-fest. It'll be fun watching people burn themselves.

(We could thread the chicken with fresh pineapple chunks, marinate the whole thing in soy sauce, cook the kabobs and laugh while Grace tries to decide if that constitutes fresh pineapple or cooked pineapple.)

We also could broil the steaks... it would go faster than cooking a roast in one piece. Do you have a broiler pan or should I bring mine?

As for the movie, I have Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Chef Troy
Why involve the oven at all? We can cut all the meat into chunks and have a kabob-fest. It'll be fun watching people burn themselves.

(We could thread the chicken with fresh pineapple chunks, marinate the whole thing in soy sauce, cook the kabobs and laugh while Grace tries to decide if that constitutes fresh pineapple or cooked pineapple.)

We also could broil the steaks... it would go faster than cooking a roast in one piece. Do you have a broiler pan or should I bring mine?

As for the movie, I have Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

:rolleyes: Sure, Cheffie I've always wanted to throw the kind of party that folks will just set themselves ablaze to attend. How about taking it easy on the less-fire capable among us (yours truly)? You can take charge of properly cooking my kabob for me. I have onions, but no pineapple (which Grace would want to pass on, anyhow, given that flaming won't give a high enough temperature for long enough time to break down alcohols in the fruit). However, I do not have any skewers, especially any long enough to make fireplace-distance safe. I did see a Turkish fireplace grill (thing with a fire-holder below AND a iron grill above that) at WORLD MARKET the other night, maybe I should procure it...

I do have a broiling pan, but it is small - I don't think it would fit more than 4-5 medium-sized steaks. Would it work better to bring yours and try to cook them all at once, since I have two racks in my oven, or for better broiling should we just stick to doing a few at a time, in batches? I haven't ever tried that before.

By the way, Lord Jim forget about the corn and the watermelon, just bring the ice cream maker.... and the far more important (seeing as how we'll be cooking over a real fire) marshmellows! Anyone who wants smores can bring chocolate and graham crackers - just don't tell me. I'm trying to be good.

Singin' in the rain,
Z

[Ike Witt]

Is there a final head count?

[Lord Jim]

Zia, I have the ice cream maker. You sure about the corn and watermelon? I'll get the beer and marshmellows. What a combination!

I'll call this evening about dropping off the ice cream maker.

Jim

[Chef Troy]

You can't broil more than one layer at a time unless you have a double oven. I'll bring my broiler pan in case it rains.

Oh, and Mrs. Chef says she is officially coming tomorrow. We'll have to leave between 4:30 and 5:00 to get her to work, but you'll all be tired of me by then anyway.

[Zyada]

Jim, I'm thinking that I may want to leave before you do, so I'm just going to drive myself.


Adam! Have you seen the local board yet?

[Mtgman]

Z, Or anyone who knows. Melissa and I are lacking in the directions deparment. I've dropped Ziactrice a note to request them, not sure she'll check the email address she has listed in her profile between now and early tomorrow. We'll be leaving the house early tomorrow because the birthday party we're going to is way south of us in Midlothian. We'll be gone by 10 or so and if we don't have directions before that we'll be stuck :(

Steven

[Lord Jim]

Steven, I emailed you the directions.

See you tomorrow.
Jim

[Ziactrice]

Originally posted by Lord Jim
Steven, I emailed you the directions.

See you tomorrow.
Jim

Hopefully Mtgman and Moxmaiden did get directions - I'd checked my email, but he said not to reply to that email... and I don't have any other!:confused:

At any rate, I've got a propane tank, but I haven't put the grill together given that the rain chance for tomorrow is being tossed around at 100%. I did get firewood, matches and tinder, the oven cleaned, and so far, one of four chair seats reupholstered for the dining table.

Everyone, just show up and depart as you need to tomorrow - I think the main 'meat cooking event' is going to go on around noon, but I know how some folks like to come early (and Ringo has to come a bit later), so I'm generally planning on making a day of it.

Lord Jim just called to say he is enroute with the ice cream machine. Now, I wonder if any local grocer is open after 10:30 PM on Good Friday?!

[ExTank]

Ziatrice:

:rolleyes: Sure, Cheffie I've always wanted to throw the kind of party that folks will just set themselves ablaze to attend.

I agree. Lets do Blazing Saddles.

How about taking it easy on the less-fire capable among us (yours truly)?

Well, you said it was a housewarming party. It's just a matter of degree(s).

Chef: since I live out in Garland and have to go by your exit anyway, if you want to stay later I don't mind dropping you off on the way home.

[Mtgman]

Originally posted by Ziactrice


Hopefully Mtgman and Moxmaiden did get directions - I'd checked my email, but he said not to reply to that email... and I don't have any other!:confused:


I put my home email address in the email I sent you from work. I just meant not to reply to that email address or it would go to an address I wasn't sure I'd be able to check. Oh well, yes we did get directions from Jim. Thanks :)

Steven

[Ziactrice]

Off to buy things for the ice cream batch! It'll take HOURS to get done. ACK!

Ziactrice
experiencing party-crunchtime madness