Books and BBQ

Oh, boy!  Am I tired! 

Last night I went to my first ever book club.  Yes, I am a certified reading specialist and have  never been book club member.  It’s a shame, I know.

I must say it was the most fun I have had in a while.  I met some really awesome ladies, ate some incredible food, and had wonderful and somewhat unexpected conversations. ;) 

We discussed The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

[Source]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I love reading southern books with strong female heroines.  If you have not read this, I highly recommend adding it to your summer to read list.

Because this story takes place in the south, the girls decided to do a southern themed dinner.  There are a few vegetarians in the group, so I decided to make a dish I saw several months ago on Peas and Thank You for BBQ tofu.

 

I really didn’t know how this dish was going to go, and I know it’s a bad idea to try out a new recipe for strangers, but I just couldn’t resist.  I chopped a red pepper, half a Vidalia onion, and two blocks of extra firm tofu.  I pulled out the slow cooker and combined all of the ingredients with half a bottle of Annie’s All Natural Organic BBQ sauce.  I then set the cooker to low and went to work.

[Source]

I couldn’t wait to get home from work yesterday to see how the BBQ turned out.  The first thing I did when I walked in the door was tear off the lid, grab a spoon, and taste a little bite sized piece of tofu.  The first bite was a little bland, so I added more BBQ sauce and a little sea salt.  I also drained some of the fluid that had collected in the bottom of the slow cooker.  I think the key to this recipe is to press all of the water out of the tofu before cooking it. 

It didn’t turn out too, too bad, but I may make some adjustments next time.  I’ll definitely press the tofu longer, and I’m thinking I’ll probably use Trader Joe’s BBQ sauce instead.  I just enjoy the taste of TJ’s a lot more than Annie’s.

I got home pretty late and fell asleep quickly.  However, around 3:30 AM I woke up and could not go back to sleep.  It was the worst!  My mind just wouldn’t shut down!!!

Tomorrow is the last day of school, so my to-do list is pretty long.  My best friend is also getting married Saturday.  The rehearsal dinner is tomorrow night out in the mountains, so I have a LOT to get done by tomorrow afternoon. 

Hopefully tonight my exhaustion will overpower my overactive brain, and I’ll get a full night’s sleep.  I’m even hoping to fall asleep extra early, so I can get up and do a quick run before the day begins.

I hope you are all having a fantastic week!  Happy almost Friday!!!

~Jen

Remember, Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You!!!