Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Reunion FOOD and the Master Teacher

As you might have guessed, food is quite an enormous issue, not only at the reunion but through the whole month of July. At first just a few families come, then in-law families, then more families, then a ton of families and as we mentioned earlier, then our Adam and Eva Family. By the time everyone is there we have 47 people to feed three meals a day with no grocery store within an hour round trip. Although we have each family do breakfast on their own, often just cereal and milk, according to what their kids like, lunch and dinner are quite a production, whether the kids like it our not!

We truck in the food by the ton! The Costco run was especially fun this year with two of my big strapping sons to help me fill the trolleys. For most days in July we had between 30 and 50 people every day. That’s averages about 120 meals a day. Not an easy feat….except that we have such wonderful gourmet cooks and helpers who are willing to make exciting and healthy meals pretty much from scratch. Starting with delicious variations of beans and rice!  

 

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During our actual reunion when each family takes a turn being in charge we ate like kings! Below are the now family-famous Jonah burgers. His spicy combo mixed with the meat is to die for……especially if…….

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you’re a teenage boy!

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Who would think of a watermelon and fresh green bean salad with sautéed Hollumi cheese besides Saydi?  It was delicious!

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If you put chicken, fresh mozzarella and basil, balsamic vinegar and pesto on a bun it makes for a delectable sandwich! !

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The next best thing to how it looks is how it tastes!

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Caprese for 47!

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Just look at this yummy salad. It was as good as it looks! 

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Tal’s lunch was a special treat!  This Vietnamese sandwich that he enjoys when he’s home in New York City is barbecued pork loin, cucumber and carrot “matchsticks”, cilantro and lime juice. A delicacy that with a little mayo and the addition of a touch of hot sweet chili sauce is simply to die for!

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I’m sorry we didn’t think to take pictures of the huge pot of Japanese curry that Eli and Julie turn out every year and the pork loin feast with quinoa and a fabulous salad that Charity pulled off on our first night together as well as the yummy green chili enchiladas by Shawni with a wonderful salad and Noah and Kristi’s scrumptious fish tacos.  There was such a wonderful variety of food and such a pack of people willing to help “turn it out” every meal that it’s part of the great fun of being together.

Saydi’s delicious variety of pizzas with homemade crusts is a favorite every year. YUM!  Sorry its blurry but it’s all I’ve got.  

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One of the highlights of our dinners was a new addition to our reunion. Josh, our master-teacher who also loves kids agreed to take small groups of kids off to a quiet place with their dinners for a couple of hours to teach our grandkids about everything from caves, to astronomy to sail boats. The kids had a ball. Thanks to Josh for providing a learning experience that the kids will never forget!

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This fun adventure ended with an overnight on the sailboat. Not sure how much sleep Josh got!

Kids of all ages adore that Uncle Josh!

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Hooray for food and especially for Josh!  Do you think these kids like him enough?

3 comments:

Hello. My name is Meshan. said...

Wow! That food looks all looks amazing! You should post the recipes. ;)

Josh said...

That was a lot of fun. But I think Tal was the one who took them to the cave.

Linda said...

Oh gosh Josh, I assumed that was you because it happened while we were gone on the RV trip with the kids. Thanks Tal!

I just found another picture of you taking off with the kids to the sailboat adventure. Thanks for the heads-up!