Last night JP and Carrolle Jobin invited us to dinner and we are still talking about the wonderful food and company. So JP is a man who impacted my life in a big way once I left the military. First, he was the one who took a chance on me in the business world and I am where I am today because of his willingness to teach me. During my early days out of the military, not only did JP teach me the ins-and-outs of business, he taught me that cooking is a way to relax when you are dealing with the stressful world of deadlines and profits. The first experience in cooking was our first pot luck at the office. JP went around and asked what everybody was going to make and I replied, “Chili-Mac-N-Cheese.” Now I could go into details the looks I obtained from JP and others in the office, but let me just say my dish was a HIT,-I ate almost half of it by myself (that was my goal because I knew people would bring strange things). I ended up getting talked into eating thing I never thought I would even smell, and I enjoyed some but not all. A few months later, JP and a few other executives in the office kept trying to have me attend this cooking club (to myself I thought why in the world would I want to learn how to cook) and so being a persistent sales guy, JP kept asking until I said ok. First glass of real red wine (not MD 20/20) was with JP and his family. My first 5 course meal was at his house with his whole family. I have learned so much from this man that I hope as I age, I can come a little closer to his great outlook on life which is ”Enjoy it while you can”. If it wasn’t for JP, I wouldn’t have the passion for cooking or business like I do (and you wouldn’t enjoy the lovely content I put together just for you out there).

I am getting the recipes for this entire meal, but here is a teaser of what you will enjoy once you cook.

So the guys went out and put the duck breast on the grill.

JP has this down to a science to ensure the duck are cooked just right.

Once the duck was finished cooking, we sat down and has this awesome salad.

Then it was time for the main course.

JP paired the duck with a bottle, I mean bottles of Garnacha.

Then we finished the rest of the meal with a homemade Icebox Lemon Torte.

Here is Jen and I with JP.

For this weekend, Jen leaves for DC and I make JERKY!!! That’s right homemade jerky and people who have tried my jerky always ask me to make another batch for them–some have even offered to buy it from me! So check back tomorrow as I feature the steps over the weekend on how to make jerky.

HAPPY COOKING