You Never Forget the First Time

It was the late 1970’s, can’t remember exactly which year. I do remember it being a hot summer and my favorite song was Isn’t She Lovely. It was South Florida. The Miami Dolphins were still considered to be among the NFL’s elite albeit not as elite as the Steelers and Cowboys. Therefore, every little boy wanted to be Lynn Swann or Tony Dorsett. I didn’t quite understand football yet. I’m going by what the older kids were saying. Almost every weekend my mom would pack up the Gremlin and we would head east on Sunrise Boulevard to Fort Lauderdale beach. Life in those days seemed so simple.

This was South Florida before Crack Cocaine. The neighborhoods, at least Lauderdale Lakes and Lauderhill were vibrant and diverse and extremely safe. We walked from school barefoot, picking mangoes and sea-grapes from trees.

All this comes back to me every time I eat a shrimp with cocktail sauce! You may laugh but it’s true. I remember the first time I had a shrimp. It was at some restaurant called the Sweden House. Their shrimp cocktail buffet has been a memory that has not faded in thirty years. Today, my friends marvel at my obsession with shrimp. Some even suggest that my death will be with some irony. I will be eaten by some form of sea life. We’ll see. But until then I will continue to love everything shrimp.

Recipe for Low Country Boil.

Recipe from Savannah, Ga

2 Lbs Fresh Raw Shrimp (head on)

2 Lbs Red potatoes

2 Lbs Corn on the Cobb

2 Lbs Smoked Sausage (turkey can be used)

½ cup Old Bay Seasoning 2 tablespoons vinegar

Bring large pot of water to a boil. Add Seasoning.

Halve the potatoes and add to pot. After 10 minutes

Add Corn. Boil for 10 minutes then add Sausage.

After 10 more minutes, add shrimp and boil for

The last 10 minutes.

Let sit for a bit so the flavor and juices can settle in. Remember, you have to suck on the shrimp before you peel them! Delightful!

(Optional: Eggs can be hardboiled in the pot and crawfish can also be added)