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Happy Canada Day, Eh!

This was an amazing Canada Day for our family because we. didn't. go. anywhere.

No loud fireworks in a mosquito-laden field...

No family get-togethers with third cousin so-and-so...

Just a beautiful day spent in the pool eating shrimp cocktail, Juicy Jumbos and corn on the cob.


Our little dude is slowly learning to swim (peep that $6.00 floatation vest from Canadian Tire) and loving every second of it.

This Canada Day hit a little differently. It's not lost on me that we are very, very lucky to live in this beautiful country and that there are some threats from the leader South of us that we have never dealt with before. I am infinitely grateful that we are able to live in this country and can celebrate as we see fit.

Now back to that shrimp cocktail...

I picked up a 1.5lb bag of shrimp at Walmart for about $8.00 and wanted to throw something together for a light lunch. I am not really one for measuring, but here are my "recipes" for the shrimp and cocktail sauce (at least how I did them today!):

Shrimp Cocktail

*1 lemon, sliced
*2 Bay leaves
*1TBSP black peppercorns
*2TBSP salt
*2TBSP sugar
*1.5lb raw, shell-on shrimp

Throw the lemon slices, Bay leaves, peppercorns, salt and sugar into a large pot filled with water and bring to a rapid boil. I let this boil for about five minutes so it was extra-aromatic, and then reduced it to a low simmer. Throw in your raw shrimp until they are cooked-through (approx. 3 minutes for these smaller-sized shrimp). Your brine will look something like this, but you can add any other spices you like:



Cocktail Sauce

*1C ketchup
*1.5TBSP prepared horseradish
*2TSP Worcestershire sauce
*1/2TBSP tabasco sauce, or more to taste
*Lemon juice to taste
*Salt to taste

This is so easy! Just mix it all together and make sure it tastes good! I like a little extra tabasco and lemon juice, but have to tone these things down for the rest of the family, sometimes...


How did you spend your Canada Day?




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