Spicy Shrimp Spread

Published on August 19 2010 by Iheartcooking

Okay, so you have guests coming over. Did you invite them? Maybe, maybe not. At least that's how it goes at my house. Anyway, you want a quick delicious snack that is not orange or comes out of a can. A very simple quick snack is Spicy Shrimp Paste. Looks fancy, tastes great and I usually pipe (or spread) it on whatever I have in the cupboard- crackers, toast, even lettuce leaves or cucumber slices. What will you use? Try it and let me know!

This recipe makes enough for about 2 dozen crackers.

You will need:

1 lb small/medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 cup water

pinch salt

1/4 finely chopped mixed herbs of your choice(I do this in the food processor)

1/2 cup unsalted butter(softened)

1/2 cup cream cheese

2 tbs lemon juice

1 tbs pepper sauce

About 24 small shrimp, cleaned and cooked (garnish)

Bring 1/2 cup water and pinch salt to a boil and add shrimp. Cook for 5 minutes or until shrimp is just pink and curled. Don't overcook! Your shrimp will be rubbery! Drain water, puree shrimp and 1/4 cup fresh herbs in food processor.
Combine pureed mixture with unsalted butter, cream cheese, lemon juice and pepper sauce. Add salt to taste.
Refrigerate mixture for about 1 hour then pipe or spread onto whatever suits your fancy.
Enjoy, and bask in the adoration of your family and friends for being a culinary genius!

<p><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net">Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></p>