Cookout Awesomeness

I am throwing a cookout for my friends Ryan and Jenny who are moving to Cincinnatti so Jenny can begin her PhD (right on!). The cookout is vegan (or will be predominately vegan--I told the guests that everything they bring had to be veg-friendly and so far no one has said they are bringing anything non-vegan, but we will see).

Initially, the weather called for rain/thunderstorms--which, is not a big surprise in Toledo where it seems to storm more than any other place in America--however, I was sad:( Now, however, the weather is still going to be pretty hot (92 or so), but now it is only supposed to be partly cloudy--no storms!! YAY!!!!! :)

I have decided to meld recipes from my two current favorite cookbooks: Viva Vegan! and Vegan Soul Kitchen....and am pretty excited by the possibilities!

Here is the menu:

--Sparkling Rosemary Lemon-Limeade (I may ask someone to bring some vodka to spike half of it!)
--Grilled Corn on the Cob (maybe going to do a tahini/garlic-infused sauce along w/the Earth Balance)
--Quinoa-quinoa Cornbread (the co-op didn't have quinoa flour, and wouldn't get it in until Wednesday if I ordered it, so I am grinding some quinoa in the coffee grinder and makin' my own!)
--BBQ Blackeyed Peas (pressed for cash--leavin' out the tempeh, oh well)
--Grilled Orange Mojo Tofu (modifying the recipe for a marinade that's grill-appropriate)
--Carrot-Cayenne Coleslaw (since my bf doesn't like spice much, I will probably be going a bit easier on the cayenne than I would like)

Whew....it's a lot of cooking, for sure. To prep on Monday--since I definitely have more to do than cook all day Tuesday--I am going to press and marinate the tofu, make the cornbread dough and refrigerate it, make the slaw and soak/cook the black-eyed peas so they are ready to go on Tuesday. Then Tuesday will involve cooking the beans and cornbread, making the drinks and then grilling like a mad villain.

There will be many pictures to follow and I am sure the party will be a smashing success;)