A vegetarian flame-broiled hot mess!

I don’t have as many “firsts” these days but this past Memorial Day Kelle and I shared a first. Yes, that’s right, we did it…. we proved two vegetarians can plan and execute a Memorial Day cookout. The food was great, the company was even better but I have to admit I will never, ever grill out again. Why didn’t anyone tell me how hard it is to cook outside?

Our novice menu consisted of red and orange bell peppers, asparagus, marinated teriyaki and curry tofu, Portobello mushrooms and corn on the cobb. We out did ourselves with the food selection but after an 1 ½ hour of fire preparation I was ready to call it quits, go back inside and make a PB&J sandwich. Kelle blames our fire issues on our natural hardwood charcoal although the vegetable oil soaked paper and sticks worked well as non-toxic accelerants. Whatever the reason for our fire troubles I decided after 40 minutes of nurturing that flame, “grilling isn’t as fun as I remember.”

In hindsight, the fun of grilling has always been about the friends and family I am with, the cool drink in your hand, the old-school music in the background that inspires an impromptu soul train line, watching the kids play in the driveway and listening to my mom and aunt fight over who’s the better cook. Being outside in the sun with the smells of fresh-cut grass, the sounds of young birds and the feeling of a cool breeze on my face while swinging in the hammock are the memories I cherish each summer. So come 4th of July as long as I don’t have to build the fire I will happily forfeit my grilling tongs to the guys and step aside while they flame broil their steaks, ribs and burgers. That being said, it would be nice if they throw one soy burger on there for me. :o)