Best food thread ever!

[Neil]

I figured this year should be the "best food ever" gathering. Check with your grandmother, favorite internet recipe website, enroll in a cooking class - whatever you have to do to help elevate the status of the 2012 edition to that of best ever.

As usual, in order to avoid the possibility of having nothing but poutine to eat we'll use the poll method to serve as a guide.

Note that after winter gatherings there is usually no main course food left over. Like, none, zip, nada. Winter hikers are hungry come supper time. However, there is often a lot of dessert stuff and chips left over so you might want to keep that in mind when wondering whether to double or octuple the recipe.

[BillB]

Going out to Redfield and hopefully Cliff, I'll stick with a dessert - might not be there for dinner. Most likely chocolate chip cookies, but perhaps I'll get more creative.

[Neil]

Going out to Redfield and hopefully Cliff, I'll stick with a dessert - might not be there for dinner. Most likely chocolate chip cookies, but perhaps I'll get more creative.

I'm assuming these cookies will be the best ever.

If you start your hike at 4am you should be there in time for food items like filet mignon, steak tartar, lobster thermador, smoked salmon and the like.

[CPalmatier]

I'll bring BBQ beans. Technically a side, but they eat like main course :).

It's my first time, will there be any facilities to keep food warm?

[Neil]

It's my first time, will there be any facilities to keep food warm?
There's a full commercial kitchen at the motel and that's where the food will be laid out. I don't think there'll be a problem keeping those beans hot.

[CPalmatier]

There's a full commercial kitchen at the motel and that's where the food will be laid out. I don't think there'll be a problem keeping those beans hot.

Cool! I'm really looking forward to this :)

[Paradox]

There's a full commercial kitchen at the motel and that's where the food will be laid out. I don't think there'll be a problem keeping those beans hot.

Okey dokey, I'll bring my World Famous Turkey Chilly

[Neil]

The thread title is incorrectly worded. it should say "best food ever thread". Who cares if it's a great thread but the food sucks. :D

[Neil]

For the most part folks'll have to keep their food in their rooms until Sat afternoon.
Shouldn't be a problem with coolers and ice packs. The rooms at the Ark Trail have bar fridges if that's a help.

Or, if it's frozen then there shouldn't be a problem with just leaving it in the Ark Trail kitchen to thaw all day.

[Dick]

We signed up for appetizer, which will be a ton of shrimp, with sauce.

[Neil]

I will probably bring an Indian dish (mildly spicy). Either butter chicken or a lamb dish. Basmati rice will accompany whatever I end up cooking.

[PA Ridgerunner]

Shouldn't this be a public poll? How will Fran know who's on her cleanup crew?

[Snickers]

We will bring kielbasi and sauerkraut; it was gone in no time last year!!!

[Snickers]

Shouldn't this be a public poll? How will Fran know who's on her cleanup crew?

Brian and I are on the clean-up crew!!! Do we get really cool hats or something?? :)

[randomscooter]

I figured this year should be the "best food ever" gathering.
Do you think at previous gatherings that we've been holding out on you? :twisted:


It's my first time, will there be any facilities to keep food warm?

There's a full commercial kitchen at the motel and that's where the food will be laid out. I don't think there'll be a problem keeping those beans hot.
Let's just not keep them TOO hot. We don't want a repeat of last year's incident. :eek:

[Paradox]

Going out to Redfield and hopefully Cliff, I'll stick with a dessert - might not be there for dinner. Most likely chocolate chip cookies, but perhaps I'll get more creative.

I have a hankerin' for oatmeal/raisin cookies. :whip:

[Snickers]

I have a hankerin' for oatmeal/raisin cookies. :whip:

I have an awesome recipe for Spicy Oatmeal Raisin cookies. :) I could be talked into whipping up a batch. :twisted:

[ADKJack]

Shouldn't this be a public poll? How will Fran know who's on her cleanup crew?

You are:D and can you coordinate the official headress for the cleanup crew:bang:

[ADKJack]

Unfortunately Lori will not be able to accompany me this year, however she will send the lasagna with me:tup:

[vieWseeker]

Unfortunately Lori will not be able to accompany me this year, however she will send the lasagna with me:tup:

best keep it hidden friday nite>>:)

[BillB]

I have a hankerin' for oatmeal/raisin cookies. :whip:

I like oatmeal raisin cookies myself. But maybe I want something a little fancier for this festive occasion.

[CPalmatier]

For the most part folks'll have to keep their food in their rooms until Sat afternoon.
Shouldn't be a problem with coolers and ice packs. The rooms at the Ark Trail have bar fridges if that's a help.

Or, if it's frozen then there shouldn't be a problem with just leaving it in the Ark Trail kitchen to thaw all day.

I have fridge space here at the store and can even heat up your dish and bring it back warm, if it helps. I'm planning on coming back for a quick shower and pick up the beans anyway.

[Neil]

Shouldn't this be a public poll? How will Fran know who's on her cleanup crew?

If you click on one of the numbers (hot links) of voters you will see the names.

Just wondering, for how many years now have YOU been on Fran's clean-up crew. Twenty? Thirty?

[daLunartik]

I will be bringing some home brewed beer again - not sure what yet, as I intend to hit the local home brew store tomorrow. Last year I brought two styles and two cases, but came home with one of the cases, so I'll only bring one case this time. :drink:

[WannabeALjr]

I will be bringing some home brewed beer again - not sure what yet, as I intend to hit the local home brew store tomorrow. Last year I brought two styles and two cases, but came home with one of the cases, so I'll only bring one case this time. :drink:

What kind?

Bring two...last year we were driving after...this year we're not.:tup:

[Prino]

I'll bring my usual vindaloo wraps... but, this year they will be the Best Ever!
Sari will also be making one of her Best Ever Hazelnut cakes if we are not over desserted already!?

P.S. This is the Best Ever thread I've read about food! :D

Q. Will there be anybody hanging out at the Ark during the day? Sari's not too interested in doing Gray and Skylight with me!

[daLunartik]

What kind?

Gonna be a Smoked Porter, which I also brought last year. I don't know, something about winter makes me think porters and stout's.

[DackerDan]

If done correctly this could be the start of a great hikers cookbook.

[muddybottom]

Brian and I are on the clean-up crew!!! Do we get really cool hats or something?? :)

How about a lovely set of rubber gloves? :eek: :D

[Scotzman]

I have a hankerin' for oatmeal/raisin cookies. :whip:

I've got a hankerin' for some single malt scotch! :D

[Paradox]

I've got a hankerin' for some single malt scotch! :DWe'll see what we can do.

[BillB]

We'll see what we can do.

So much for Scotzman hiking Sunday morning.:)

[PA Ridgerunner]

If you click on one of the numbers (hot links) of voters you will see the names.

Just wondering, for how many years now have YOU been on Fran's clean-up crew. Twenty? Thirty?

Nearly thirty-one! Then there was college when she was mostly cleaning me up! :rolleyes:

[stillwaters]

I'll bring Jambalaya and homemade garlic dill pickles.

[alistair]

Onion soup or baked Ziti ............ not sure which.

[Holly Berry]

Plan to bring
Beef Stew
Mesquite BBQ pulled pork
Chocolate cake ;)

[Kyler]

I'm bringing Butternut Squash/Apple Bisque and something that says Syracuse on the label.

[Neil]

I'm bringing Butternut Squash/Apple Bisque and something that says Syracuse on the label.

I suppose the "something" that says Syracuse on the label is 95% water.

[Kyler]

I suppose the "something" that says Syracuse on the label is 95% water.

and 5% whole grains

[hikingcaver]

How about some home made bread - a 'white' loaf and a whole wheat loaf?

[Neil]

How about some home made bread - a 'white' loaf and a whole wheat loaf?

Man does not live by bread alone. He also lives on 95% (or 60%) water, pulled pork, beef vindaloo and chilé con carne (keep the windows open please).

[TrailBum]

I'll team up with MApple and we'll bring the best cheese ever, with bread, crackers, etc. French style.

[PA Ridgerunner]

I only count 22 responses...who's holding out? :whip::whip:
Anybody besides Moonray bringing the best beer ever?

[alistair]

Onion soup or baked Ziti ............ not sure which.

Will be baked Ziti (5 cheeses) ........... Adam, sorry no cheez whiz.

[alistair]

I only count 22 responses...who's holding out? :whip::whip:
Anybody besides Moonray bringing the best beer ever?

Could mean some hungry climbers..... :cry:

With all 46 peaks being covered this year we may need a ton of food .............. and beer.

[daLunartik]

Anybody besides Moonray bringing the best beer ever?

Put my first sample bottle in the fridge before I left for work this morning - so I'll know in a few hours whether it's the best beer ever or if I'm bringing something else! :drink:

Even then, I'm still tempted to bring a growler or two of Crossroads Outrage IPA - won last years NY TAP and is currently doing pretty well in the Brewing News "National IPA Championship" (http://brackets.brewingnews.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=418946)

[CPalmatier]

I'll bring BBQ beans. Technically a side, but they eat like main course :).

I'll bring some Bleu Cheese Cole Slaw, too.

[alistair]

Put my first sample bottle in the fridge before I left for work this morning - so I'll know in a few hours whether it's the best beer ever or if I'm bringing something else! :drink:

Even then, I'm still tempted to bring a growler or two of Crossroads Outrage IPA - won last years NY TAP and is currently doing pretty well in the Brewing News "National IPA Championship" (http://brackets.brewingnews.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=418946)

Sounds good .... save me a glass.

[Prino]

So instead of a menu for Saturday night, we just print out this thread!

I'll be bringing a good Canadian pale ale (12) and a bottle or two of Argentian Red.

[bignslow]

So instead of a menu for Saturday night, we just print out this thread!

I'll be bringing a good Canadian pale ale (12) and a bottle or two of Argentian Red.

Don't forget the vindaloo wraps :D
If you're not making them, let us know and we'll try making them again.

[Paradox]

.... Note that after winter gatherings there is usually no main course food left over. Like, none, zip, nada. Winter hikers are hungry come supper time. .....

Okey dokey, I'll bring my World Famous Turkey Chili

I've got a hankerin' for some single malt scotch! :D

There is five gallons of my World Famous Turkey Chili on the range as I enter this.

My thoughts are now turning to scotch. Quantity vrs. quality. I am trying to decide on a 12 year old Glen Livet, 1.75 liters vrs a 16 year old Lagavulin 0.75liters. Can I post a poll within a poll?

[AdiDaxi]

I'll be bringing a curry chicken/ bean soup.

[Scotzman]

My thoughts are now turning to scotch. Quantity vrs. quality. I am trying to decide on a 12 year old Glen Livet, 1.75 liters vrs a 16 year old Lagavulin 0.75liters. Can I post a poll within a poll?

Well I'm not sure how many scotch drinkers we have, but my vote would be for the Lagavulin. I don't get to sample that as often as the Glenlivet, but either are tasty choices. :D

[Neil]

I just became a Scotch drinker. Or should I say, a drinker of Scotch.

Alistair is a Scott drinker I believe.

[daLunartik]

Put my first sample bottle in the fridge before I left for work this morning - so I'll know in a few hours whether it's the best beer ever or if I'm bringing something else! :drink:

Oh yeah, we got Smoked Porters. Could have been a little more carbonated, so I'll hold off on putting them on ice till I leave for Tmax-n-Topo's Friday afternoon - give the yeasties a little extra time to do their magic.

I've got a case and half (3 12 packs), all bottled in Saranac White IPA bottles. I'll try to make sure the cooler is adequately marked. Since I just got a roll of Orange Duck Tape, that shouldn't be too hard!

[Kyler]

Oh yeah, we got Smoked Porters.

I'm going to bring some coffee stout home brew. It's pretty heavy on the coffee, but if anyone wants to give it a try...

[TFR]

We're bringing Vege Lasagna and a Growler of Keegan's Black IPA!!! :bang:

[TFR]

I'm going to bring some coffee stout home brew. It's pretty heavy on the coffee, but if anyone wants to give it a try...
I just posted about Keegan's IPA, but have you ever tried their coffee stout? Fan-freaking-tastic! It was judged the best beer in NYS in 2009! :tup: I will definitely try your beer!

[marti124]

Hi,

Last year I brought just Cognac. This year, it's Cognac again plus 3 boxes of (3 different brands) of non-wheat crackers, and three 1/2 pound containers (1.5 pounds total to avoid confusion) of Organic Cheddar Cheese (3 different brands), all from Honest Weight Food Coop in Albany.

Roleigh

ps, I think I accidentally voted appetizer instead of the bread-cheese category. Let's call the Cognac the appetizer, but I won't double vote.

[Kyler]

I just posted about Keegan's IPA, but have you ever tried their coffee stout? Fan-freaking-tastic! It was judged the best beer in NYS in 2009! :tup: I will definitely try your beer!

I haven't had their beer. I just checked their website and it looks like you can't get it outside of the Hudson Valley or the Catskills. One of these days when I get down to the Catskills for some hiking, I'll have to plan ahead for the post hike beer location.

[CPT Chaos]

I'm bringing Buffalo dip with chips and Potato/sausage stuffing. It seems like the poll is missing a beverage section. Maybe you guys should set up a separate one strictly for the proper distribution of alcoholic beverages!

[Sequoia]

I'm bringing the best ever salad!

[Holly Berry]

Woo hoo! :tup:
Pleased to report the chocolate cake made it, intacted, despite my driving.:oops:
Now if I can just keep from cutting it before tomorrow night!

[Neil]

People have already arrived at the Ark?

We won't be leaving Montreal until 7:30. Just time for one beer then off to bed for a 4am wake-up.

[Tmax]

Peanut Butter fudge and chocolate peanut butter fudge will (hopefully) find it's way to the Ark tomorrow night!:tup: