While In Ontario, drink like an Ontarian!

When I first moved to Canada almost 13 years ago, I was surprised at the rows and rows of Motts Clamato juice lining the grocery store shelves, when all I was looking for was a measly can of V8 Vegetable Cocktail. I soon learned what this obsession was all about, the beloved Canadian Drink, the Caesar!

I just can't fathom drinking clam juice. I have enough trouble downing tomato juice as I'm not a big fan of anything tomato. Back in Pennsylvania we loved our Bloody Marys hot and spicy, and would drink them down with a beer chaser to cool off the flames!

Back in 2002 while comparing the two drinks with some Canadian friends for a Sunday breakfast accompaniment at the cottage,  I couldn't convince them that my Bloody Marys were far superior. I guess its just a U.S. vs Canadian preference. I haven't had a bloody mary since that day, after a little run-in with a dock under construction at the 1000 Islands and a titanium plate in my arm as the ending result.

The evil dock after construction and all the boards were nailed down.

For a good explanation of why Canadians love this drink, check out Dara's Cooking Canuck and her recipe for Caesars. Her site is enjoyable, shes kind of the reverse of me, she grew up in Eastern Ontario and has been living in the U.S. for the past 15 years. Although I always considered the US and Canada almost identical, there are still the little differences in food preferences that you pick up, but you will find that anywhere in different regions of the U.S. or Canada.

Here is another explanation at The History of Drinking blog, stating both the US and Canadian versions, with the Tony Bennett twist, but being its so popular in Canada, I believe the Canadian version.

Check out Ivy Knight's (Toronto s most acclaimed food writer) showdown of the battle of the Caesar vs. Bloody Mary at Drake Hotels  86'd Mondays on Canada Day.

My Bloody Mary Recipe:

Fill glass or pitcher with ice

Fill 1/4 of it with vodka 

Top off with  V8 Vegetable Cocktail

Tabasco sauce per your liking of hotness (Daves Insanity Sauce if your really daring)

Few drops of Worcestershire sauce

Salt and Pepper

Big dollop of ketchup (secret ingredient)

Shake well

Garnish with lemon, lime and big stalk of celery.

I like letting the pitcher sit with the lemon, lime and celery in it to absorb the flavor.

So when visiting Ontario, make sure to try a Caesars, they even come pre-mixed in bottles in your local LCBO stores. ENJOY!

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Lake Simcoe Outdoors

If your into fishing and love Lake Simcoe Ontario, here is a great forum you will love following. Lake Simcoe Outdoors.

Happy Canada Day!

Today, July 1, 2012 Canada celebrates its 145th birthday.  For the first 17 years of my life, our family vacations were always to our special place in Canada, and would always fall on the Canada Day week. Only back then it was called Dominion Day.

As the above photo points out, some things are just truly Canadian. Tim Hortons, Curling and Red Green.
I still don't understand the addiction Canadians have to Tim Hortons. Friday I waited in a line of over 20 people just to pick up some doughnuts for breakfast. But most were in line for a cup of Timmys coffee, a double double as most order (double cream and double sugar) and what puzzled me was people drinking coffee on the second day of a heat wave where temps were well in the 30's (90's for my American Friends) Yes we also go by the Celsius scale here.

OK so people say the best place to go on Canada day is Parliament Hill in Ottawa for the festivities and fireworks. Listening to the radio today I think I would like to see a Tragically Hip concert on Canada Day. 20,000 people in attendance tonight for the Burls Creek concert, and last night they played Niagara on the Lake. Although a world renowned band, the Hip is very popular in Canada, along with Tea Party, Bare Naked Ladies, Sam Roberts and Rush. Ask any Canadian and they can get into detail about how many Hip concerts they have attended.

Click above to hear one of my favorite Tragically Hip songs: 

As for us, we spent the day at Beaverton Yacht Club, on Lake Simcoe. The temps were not as bad today, but a nice breeze. We didn't go out on the lake, but enjoyed the day doing some cleaning up the boat and relaaxing. Sometimes
its just nice to do nothing at all! Now going to have a nice bacon wrapped filet dinner, baked potato for me, potato salad for the hubby and some fireworks to end the night!

Happy Canada Day Everyone!