Shelly's Recipe

CAJUN SHRIMP SPREAD AND DIP

Category: Dips - Seafood Cold

Seasoned Shrimp:
1 pound small raw shrimp, peeled
1/2 tablespoon canola oil
Old Bay seasoning, to taste
Cajun/Creole seasoning, to taste
Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper

Dip:
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
1/3 to 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp grated onion
Juice half a lemon (about a tablespoon)
Couple dashes of hot sauce, to taste
1 tsp Cajun/Creole seasoning, or to taste

Dry shrimp off well with paper towels. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the shrimp and sprinkle with Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, and salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until it turns pink and is no longer transparent. Remove and set aside to cool.

Set aside a few shrimp for garnish. Place the shrimp into a food processor and process until finely chopped. Cut the cream cheese into chunks and add to the shrimp. Spoon in 1/3 cup of the mayonnaise, and add the grated onion, lemon juice, hot sauce and Cajun seasoning. Process until smooth. Add additional mayonnaise as needed to thin further. Taste and adjust seasonings. Refrigerate overnight if possible, or at least one hour.

Spoon into a serving bowl and garnish with the whole shrimp and a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning. Serve with toast points, assorted crackers, chips or cut up vegetables.