Nineteen years ago today I stepped on the yellow foot prints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC.

Generally, when someone makes a statement like that, it’s followed by stories of a life forever changed. True, I have many of those, but that’s not what this is. This is a story of adventure, passion, love, and support. This is a story about hot sauce.

My childhood pallet was bland. We never had salt or pepper on the table. My last few years of high school I worked at the Chickfila drive through. Besides making the standard food, I would do small experiments, creating new flavor combinations. This was the beginning of my love for cooking.

The quality of food available in the military varies WILDLY. In what branch of the military do you serve? Where are you stationed? Are you in the field or deployed? Ask anyone who’s eaten MRE’s and they’ll have a list of what’s good and fought over versus the ones given to junior troops.

The little Tabasco bottles that come in MRE’s are some times used as currency while in the field. Marines that I was deployed with would have family send them other hot sauces in care packages.

The veggie omelet MRE was often found sitting alone in the box or in the pile of misfits beside the cases yet to be opened. It was actually editable if you:
1. Heated it
2. Mixed it with jalapeno cheese spread
3. Included a bottle of Tabasco and a pack of salt

I don’t love hot sauce for the heat but rather the taste of the peppers. The heat is an added bonus which I prefer to crescendo and then fade away. I prefer the green Tabasco over the original and I love to use jalapenos. You won’t find me ordering “hot” wings or buying a bottle of:

So when I discovered this hot sauce on the shelf at a local store I was immediately drawn to it; not just because of the brilliant marketing and because I love the shape of the Mk1 grenade but it was the combination of the name and type of pepper:

The General’s Hot Sauce donates to: These organizations.

I opened the bottle this morning and used it with all three meals. I love it! I expected it to be hotter but I’m not upset, I just need to pour a little more. Having to use more means supporting a company that helps veterans!

They have many sauces hotter than Marine Green but I’m content with who I am. I encourage you to check them out!
-Over.

 John 13:26 “Jesus answered, “I will dip some bread in the sauce and give it to him; he is the man.” So he took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.” 

-Drew OUT!