One More Day to Go.....

So, as I sit here writing my lecture for my intro to sociology class that begins next week, I am ridiculously irritated w/the author for doing a shitty job explaining the theories (particularly Marx, since I am a Marxist, duh). At least I have 20 pages of notes on the 3 basic theories from my other sociology class to impart some much needed theoretical wisdom on these kids.....(wait, I am only 25, can I call my students "kids"? Particularly when I know there are at least 5 students in the class my age or older? It's like getting my M.A. made me instantly stuffy or something)

Anyways.....

After these lectures are *finally* finished I get to go home, do whatever dishes already exist in the sink, and start rocking out some prep work for tomorrow's cookout.*

*My first real job was as a food prep cook at Red Lobster--yes I was a vegetarian working in a kitchen among a lot of icky, stinky, marine-being flesh--but, it taught me the value of prepping what can be stored before hand!

I am planning on cooking the black-eyed peas, so I don't have the stove on for an hour then the oven on for 2 hours in the 90+ degree heat; pressing and marinating the orange mojo tofu (yes, another Viva Vegan! recipe--modified for the grill); making the quinoa cornbread dough and marinating, massaging, and makin' the carrot-cayenne slaw. I may also make the simple sugar syrup and rosemary-flavored water for the lemon-limeade....we will see how long these lectures take me.

I will definitely take some prepping pics, and (duh!) muchos fotos de la fiesta. I may even upload them on the roomies computer (still a broken laptop) and post them before my weekend ATL trip for the conference.

Eagerly anticipating tomorrow's deliciousness:)

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;)