Rule of the Game - The Dinner Edition

Every couple of months we've been doing a dinner exchange and we hope you will want to join us!  We've done this a few times and have learned a little better what works for us, a few of the original Swapping Beauties.  Of course, our priorities might not be the same as yours, so if this isn't the group for you, we understand.  In return, please know that these are the things that work best for us and we'd appreciate if you don't try to change them.  Don't worry - there will be PLENTY of things we want, dare I say, NEED your imput on and we look forward to hearing your voice!

Like any good game that is fun, there are Rules.  In order to keep the game going smoothly, these rules cannot be constantly renegotiated and revamped.  However, once the rules are set and understood, the real fun can begin!  So to start off, here are a few Rules of the Game!

THE BIG 2!

1. TASTE is key! - Does this mean we don't want healthy?  Of course not!  But more important than a super-duper healthy meal is a good tasting one!  Hopefully they'll be both, but if the meal is 'better' with a little extra butter, please do!  If the meal is 'better' with whole wheat pasta and extra veggies, please do! :D

2. SERVINGS - Each meal should feed between 6-8 people.  We know this is a larger size.  However, many of us like this for a variety of reasons.  Some of us like having left overs, some like pulling these meals out with guests, some of us just have that many people to feed!  Whatever the reason, 6-8 should be the amount of servings in your meal.  For now, this is not up for debate.  However, if you're interested in a group that makes smaller meals to exchange, please leave a comment below the post entitled "Dinner Swap Short Stack"

A FEW OTHER TID-BITS:

COMPLETE DISH- We've discussed this a lot and see pluses both ways, but we've decided that we'd like to make sure the meals we exchange are at least 1 complete dish.  By that we mean that if it's to be served over rice, the rice is included.  We know that this takes a little more effort, but this way no one gets caught missing ingredients when it comes time to eat dinner!  If your dish can be served several ways, please let us know, and then include one of the options - ooooo- I'm getting hungry just thinking about all of this!

VARIETY - In order to ensure variety, we'd LOVE it if you wouldn't mind posting what it is you'll be bringing - that way we don't end up with 5 dishes of chicken enchiladas ;)

POST - We really hope everyone will post their recipies!  Of course, you will not be ousted from the group if you don't, but when we fall in absolute LOVE with your food (and believe me, we totally have with oh so many dishes already!) we hope to have a chance to replicate it!  Exchanging paper recipies has proved less effective, so we'll use this blog as a resource!  For instructions on how to post a recipe, check out the post "To Post or Not to Post - a guide to sharing recipes with other Swapping Beauties"

MAKE A FRIEND - I know this may sound silly, but for several of us getting together to exchange meals is one of the few opportunities we have as busy wives and mothers to spend a few minutes with other women!  The 'Original' SBs were a group of friends from Provo that used our swaps as a chance to keep in touch as well as exchange meals, especially as several of us moved and chances to get see each other were few and far between.  Obviously our time is limited due to the fact that we have FROZEN food we're exchanging, but it's great if people are willing to bring a cooler and hang out for a minute after the 'business' is concluded :)  Of course we understand that that's not always possible, but we hope you'll take a minute and Make a Friend!

GARGANTUAN GROUP-SIZE MANAGED: "How will this work if we're inviting so many people to potentially participate?" you ask - Great Question!  In order to avoid super-human sized groups and cooking for DAYS just to make enough dinners (not to mention the impact that would have on our wallets and freezers), we plan on splitting into smaller groups should the need arise.  How will we determine the group size?  Well, plainly said, it's pretty much up to you!  In the next few days we'll post a link on the top of the blog with a poll asking what is the ideal group size so we can all have a voice.  Then, by having everyone RSVP by hopefully at least a week ahead of time we'll be able to decide if we need a split the group!

And there they are!  We hope you decide to play with us!  We've sure had fun time and look forward to many more wonderful swaps in the future!  We'll probably often have polls posted at the top of the blog as we look for your opinions on dates etc, and hopefully the menus from our past exchanges will start rolling in soon!

And with that, here's wishing you a FABULOUS Dinner!